Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

Hi Guys

Post war Gerhard Barkhorn force-landed a P1127 Kestrel, could anybody please tell me of the date and place of this event?

Also can anybody tell me if an alarmstart counted as a combat mission?

Seems Barkhorn was burn't-out in 1945 and flew only one mission with Jg6, and one with Jv44(1102 with Jg52), again can anybody enlighten he as to when he force-landed a Me262 in April 1945, I was beginning to think that the event never happened, but am reliably informed that he did take to wearing a large scarf at this time, and it seems it was to support his neck?!

Grateful for any help

Kind Regards

Johannes

Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

Hello Johannes

I have always seen the date of 21 April 1945 used when describing his emergency landing involving the Me 262 while serving with JV 44. Regarding the incident with the V/STOL aircraft it appears this occurred on 28 April 1965 and involved Kestrel "No. 9" (XS689) at West Raynham. Apparently he cut the throttle while in vertical landing mode at a height of about a meter thus destroying the undercarriage. Regarding the Alarmstart, I would think that it would count as a Feindflug only if there occurred contact with the enemy although I have read of instances where a pilot was credited with a combat mission even though there was no contact with the enemy but this was the exception rather than the rule. Hopefully others can add more details regarding these incidents.

Horrido!

Leo

Re: Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

Leo

Highly interesting fact about Barkhorn and the Kestrel. However while I am inclined to believe you when you say the accident happened in XS689, I don't follow you regarding the date.
XS689 went to TES West Raynham on 27 April 1965 and according to its record card the accident when it was damaged in a heavy landing was 13 October 1965. Have you any written verification there actually was another accident on 28 April 1965?

Cheers
Stig

Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

Hello Stig

Actually while looking up about this incident I did come across mention that it occurred on 13 October 1965. However, there was little else regarding this event included in that source and thus I went with the information included in a second source that included additional details. Various accounts that I came across do coincide in regards to the serial number of the aircraft, location and the particulars of the accident so I believe that information to be accurate but there was that discrepancy regarding the date. Thank you for clarifying this. As an aside I have read that following the accident Barkhorn made reference to having claimed his 302nd Allied aircraft or something to that effect.

Horrido!

Leo

Re: Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

Thanks lads, and thaks for the prompt reply. Seems Barkhorn was burnt out in 1945, also apart from lossing a brother with 4./Jg2, he lost another brother after d-day, and his father and sister when the soviets invaded Konigsberg!.......obviously a hard war.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Re: Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

No problems Leo

Seems like Barkhorn had not lost his humour after all. Nice twist regarding his 302nd victory....if it is not a myth....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Gerhard Barkhorn's force-landing a P1127 Kestrel
 

Barkhorn was certainly not burned out in the late 60'ies. I had him as CO and he had a wonderful dry sense of humor which he used frequently.