Display of captured aircraft etc. - when ?

[Matthias Radu]

Can someone please confirm the date and location of the display of captured German equipment. It is stated that it took place in Washington D.C. in August 1946, which seems reasonable for me. In that case, a confirmation would be appreciated.

Is it possible to link the date to the Me-262, should be 110 306 (ex Rote 6 from 10./NJG 11), named "Ole' Fruit Cake":









Can someone please confirm that this display featured not only aircraft, but tanks etc. as well?

Thanks

Matthias

[Peter D Evans]

...with regards the Me262:

Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 - W.nr.110306 coded "Red 6" of IV./NJG11 - surrendered to RAF and allocated USA 2 then Watson Whizzer 999. Named "Ole Fruit Cake" and after being shipped to the US allocated FE-610. Scrapped circa 1950

Unfortunately, I've no idea as to the date of the image...

Kind regards

Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[ChrisS]

Sorry I can't help with the date or where but the bottom is a PzKfw IV F2 which I believe the americans captured in Tunisia and was probably ex 10th Panzer Div. I think it still resides/is 'preserved' in the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, outside in the elements rotting away.

Chris

[Tony Kambic]

Ed West had referenced some photographs a while ago that were from the Washington DC mall. One was a Zero and the other two of an ME-109, and all had a date of the back of June 22, 1944.

[Peter D Evans]

To add to my previous comments and those by fellow members since, the location of this Me262 is something we've discussed over on the LEMB. The image posted via the link below prompted additional thoughts as the caption claims it was taken at "Atsugi in Japan".

http://www.flyingknights.net/ejspark/sparky10.htm

The image I've posted below is reproduced from the Japanese Military Aircraft booklet "German Jets of WWII - part 2" [1996] and is of the same Me262 at the same location as the linked image. Not only were we able to confirm the finer points of it identity, Me262 expert Dan O'Connell subsequently confirmed the location as Washington DC. Whether this is the same location as Matthias images, I'm not 100% sure.

Kind regards

Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[Matthias Radu]

Excellent,

Peter, the new image posted of the Me-262 is a perfect match and the missing link between the Me-262 and the tank display!

It is the very same location (building in the backgound) and it seems to be reasonably safe to assume it is the same event (sign with technical data in front of the display items identical in style) - see attached combo.

Also, the P-80 to the right of the Me-262 both on the new picture and the one I had originally posted is a give-away that it is the same scene.

Thanks very much for the quick and very helpful assistance, also thanks to all other contributors!

Best regards

Matthias

[Peter D Evans]

...my pleasure Matthias... and well spotted with the background detective work

Best wishes

Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[fsbofk]

Can't put a date on them, but the settings have a feel for the Mall area of Washington DC. The left side of the 262 photo looks like the road and rising ground around the Wash Monument, and the distant white buildings in the background look like the "temporaries" built during WWI (and used into the 1960s). The pointed tower in background of V-1 photo looks like the Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Ave.