A Photographic Examination of the Me 163Bs sent to the USA

[Karoband]

According to Richard A Franks, Air Frame Album 10: The Me 163 Komet, (Valiant, 2016), pp. 18-19; Phil Butler, War Prizes, (Crecy, 2022), pp. 236, 239; and Joe Baugher in his online USAAF/USAF Serial Numbers, in 1945 five Me 163Bs were issued the "Foreign Equipment" numbers FE495, FE500, FE501, FE502 and FE503. All five were supposedly changed to T2-495, T2-500, T2-501, T2-502 and T2-503 in 1946.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1905

1. I have only found photos for two of the above three-digit numerals. This photo shows FE495 being used as a recruiting tool at an exhibition of captured German aircraft in the United States.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1906

2. With extra large lettering in the tail, FE500 is seen with its Morane radio mast behind the cockpit.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1907

3. This photo is one of a number of bogus "FE500"s, with smaller lettering, no radio mast and a spurious balkenkreuz. Note the bulbous air vent fairing on the tailpipe.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1911

4. Now "T-2-500", this Me 163B was tested in 1946 at Muroc, California. Note its Morane aerial.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1908

5. I have pictures of only three Me 163Bs in their original markings after they arrived in the USA in the summer of 1945. This aircraft I will call "White 54". Note the missing long wing root fairing among other things.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1909

6. This one I will call "White 42". Note the missing long wing root fairing.


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/album....pictureid=1910

7. And this one is "191301". Note its Morane radio mast ... and the missing long wing root fairing.

I intend to show photographic evidence as to where these three aircraft came from and what happened to them.

[Tony Kambic]

Jim,

The Me163 with the T2-500 is currently displayed on the floor at the Udvar-Hazy Museum. You can find images on the NASM site. It does not have images of the port side tail nor do I have any. I can will get them later.

Tony