Flying fuel tank ???

[ianatheling]

The photo below was on eBay a couple of weeks ago. I suspected it to be fraudulent, so wanted to check it out first. There was a similar photo with a He177 carrying a winged fuel tank in flight which was an obvious fake. This was a well-known photo of a He177 in British markings with German markings artificially photoshopped over the British markings and the fake flying fuel tank added.

I am familiar with the Schleppgerät/Deichselschlepp additions tested with the Ar234 and Me262 and am aware that this photo is not one of those. I still suspect that this photo is a fake, but would appreciate comments/confirmation.


Ian

[Peter D Evans]

Looks exactly like the (mirror) image on page 106 of "Heinkel He177 Grief" by Smith & Creek [Classic, 2008] and shows a DFS air trailer, which was based on the unsuccessful Fieseler P21A air trailer. The DFS version was similar to the P21, with a standard 300-ltr (66 Imp-Gal) drop tank mounted above the trailers wing. This was to feed the towing aircraft with fuel via a duct inside the towing bar.

There are also four photos on page 108 showing the DFS air trailer being towed by the He177A-3, WNr.2236 coded TM+IU in early summer of 1944...

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[ianatheling]

Thanks Peter, a very interesting find. I checked my numerous sources on Luftwaffe projects and a couple of He177 sources, but no record of this air trailer. Tried the internet again, but regardless of various searches I tried, all I seem to get is the Me262 trailer or links to this thread or one at LEMB which no longer has photos. Unfortunately the Smith and Creek volume is rather out of my price range at present…but at least I have some information to add the eBay photo.

Thanks
Ian

[Peter D Evans]

Check the LEMB thread now Ian, I've added the image above, the in-flight shot of TM+IU (also recently listed on eBay) plus some additional material...

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[ianatheling]

Thanks Peter. I am there right now

Ian

[edwest]

Unfortunately, I am unaware of any complete history of the DFS. There is Geheimprojekte der DFS by Horst Lommel. Obviously, advanced technologies were studied there such as the supersonic DFS 346, which was captured by the Russians, and other innovations.


Ed