Aircraft Research

[ROB1971]

I have a piece of fabric off of a WWII German aircraft. It is approximately 20" x 20" and has a black swastica painted on green camouflage. Who ever recovered this souvenir wrote on the reverse side that it was the last plane shot down over Salzburg Germany in April 1945. I am new to this discussion board and was wondering if there might be a way to track down what type of plane it came from and possibly the exact aircraft. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

[edNorth]

Perhaps Fi 156 Storch downed by Piper L-4 Cub using an handgun ?

[John P Cooper]

I think detailed photos would help.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by ROB1971

(...)it was the last plane shot down over Salzburg Germany in April 1945.

In 1945 I believe there were no German combat aircraft with fabric skin on the wing or fuselage. Therefore, it must have been an older type trainer or other secondary duty airplane.

[Empiricist]

Originally Posted by edNorth

Perhaps Fi 156 Storch downed by Piper L-4 Cub using an handgun ?

No jokes!
This is serious matter.

Piper L-4 "Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Models"* has its "Weight & Balance Chart" (page 20). There is a point "Armament" there.
The sub-points of "Armament" offer as follows:
- fixed gun installation
- flexible gun installation
- cannon installation

As can be seen the L-4 designers took into consideration various forms of armament for this plane, a little bigger than handgun only.

Best regards

E.


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* Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Models L-4A, L-4B and L-4H Airplanes, 5 September 1943; revised 20 February 1945

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

In 1945 I believe there were no German combat aircraft with fabric skin on the wing or fuselage.

Except with some of the Nachtschlachtgruppen, that is: Go 146, Ar 66, Fiat Cr. 42.