[S Sheflin]

Sturmgewher1945,

Thanks for the additional information. The time frame of these losses means that the two engines could be virtually any of the versions produced during the war. The following comments are preliminary, and are based on my limited Luftwaffe engine databases (BMW801 = 340 entries, DB505 = 355 entries).

BMW801 “10094.” I list only four BMW801s with a five-digit Werknummer starting with “1” (D-2 12936, D-2 14173, ? 14718 and ? 16049). In addition, I have twenty-eight starting with “2” (20214 to 26007). Interestingly, if “10094” is a complete WNr., it would be the “lowest” five-digit BMW801 WNr. in my files.

Another possibility is that “10094” is a BMW801 rebuild number. However, BM801 rebuild numbers were usually stenciled on the crankcase in the form of: X-XXX M-D-YY (with X’s being numerals and M-D-YY being the month-day-year).

DB605 “2213.” First, due to the relatively late loss date, I am assuming that “2213” is a DB605 and not a DB601 (my DB601 database consists of 40 five-digit WNrn., save three that are three-digits—none are four-digits).

I list no DB605 Werknummern with only four digits. While a small minority of earlier DB605s feature six digit Werknummern, the vast majority are in the eight digit XXX XXXXX format (three digits that define the maker and model, with the remaining five digits being the actual Werknummer).

This leaves three possibilities: First, “2213” is from an unknown earlier four digit DB605 WNr series. Second, it is just part of a longer WNr. Or third, it may be an “AS rebuild number.” The latter were stenciled on the engine block of DB605As that were rebuilt as DB605ASs. I list thirteen “AS” rebuild numbers that range from three to five digits.

Any further information you can supply may help us clear this mystery.

Steve Sheflin