BW239 Buffalo and B-25 bomber - Darmstadt Germany

[kaki3152]

Going through my collection of Air Combat 1939-1945 magazines, I came accross this old article in Air Combat Volume 3 1970 by the late great Richard Bueschel who wrote many of the old Aircam Japanese fighter series.

The article is titled "I Didn't get the Name" and includes a nice collection of Luftwaffe FW-190s. Among the pictures is a picture of a Brewster BW239 fuselage with apparent Belgian markings. In the caption to the photograph he mentions the fuselage of an "wrecked American B-25 with very old insignia"
Enclosed is the scan from the magazine of the BW239 fuselage along with a picture of a wrecked B-25 I obtained from an expired E-Bay auction. Whether the B-25 is the same one mentioned by Richard is moot but it was from an album of a German soldier.

It's a long shot but does anyone have any information about either one of these two airplanes?

[edNorth]

Yes, the story of the Buffalo is somewhere in a way back post.
A search might find it here (or elsewhere), on Allied forum ?
I do not know if the Mitchell (an RAF one?) is known.
Anyways I have seen the Buffalo pic before.
-ed

[Stig Jarlevik]

Kaki

The first Belgian AF ordered Brewster was in fact delivered to Bordeaux where it was captured by the Germans in May 1940.
Its identity was c/n 56 and had test registration NX56B in USA.
How it finally came to its end in Darmstadt is, as far as I know, not known. It is usually said not to have been used by the Germans, but without proof I am not convinced about that.

Cheers
Stig

[kaki3152]

I just was wondering if the BW239 was tested by the Luftwaffe. By 1945, it was "old stuff". Does anyone have any information whether Rechlin ever tested it.

[Tom Willis]

Hi Guys

Arrived late into the discussion

I did write to the late/great Richard Bueschel and he kindly sent me a long letter about his visit to Darmstadt and the mystery B-25 with early USAAF insignia. It is shame that he never photographed this a/c (the one from the recent e-bay sale could not be this a/c - clearly photographed at crash-site and not recovered). Until a positive photo linked to Darmstadt (or earlier) can be verified this 'mystery' will run and run. I know that the Germans were attempting to recover a downed B-25 from North Africa but had to abandon their efforts due to the advancing Allies. Whether this one at Darmstadt was another a/c from the North African Front has yet to be established but nothing as yet has come to light.
The Buffalo at Darmstadt has been discussed over the years and at least one photo has survived to prove the point. Nothing has been recorded of this Type at Rechlin. I am sure if the Germans were interested in this Type then one in flying condition could have been 'loaned' from Finland - (I seem to remember that this was discussed by them but abandoned later due to lack of interest from the German side. Anybody have any further details about this?).
I seem to remember that a least 2 Bufallo's were found at Bordeaux still in their crates - from a very old note from a previous discussion between researchers.
Thanks Stig - the info about the identity of the Darmstadt Buffalo seems new to me but most of my records are still packed away from a previous move so cannot verify this.

Regards
Tom Willis

[kaki3152]

Thanks Tom always glad to hear from the master on captured Allied A/c.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Tom

Many years ago I made a production list of all Buffalos built, and when I bought Le Brewster Buffalo (LELA Presse), I was surprised how accurate it was.

If you are interested in the Buffalo I can recommend the book, if only just for the photos and list (mine was minute compared to this one...).
After the attack on May 10, 1940 on Holland, Belgium and France the Belgian order went over to France and after their fall to Britain. The Belgian aircraft were then numbered in a French system starting with No 2 as No 1 was already on the way to Bordeaux. Brewsters c/n 57-60 then became French AF No 2 to 5, all of which ended up at Martinique, where they rotted away. Brewsters with c/n 63-64 never made it to Martinique but were transferred to Britain instead as AS410 and AS411. However two further Brewsters c/n 63-64 Adl'A No 8-9 was on the fateful vessel which offloaded its material at Martinique and also rotted away on that Island.

The list is very complete and I believe the French records from Martinique are fully plausible, so I have no reason to think this production list is wrong and any reports of more than one Buffalo at Bordeaux has to be substantiated by more facts....

Cheers
Stig

[Tom Willis]

Hi Stig

Thanks for this great information - so one confirmed Buffalo at Bordeaux - great news. Thanks. I will check out the book and if reasonably priced might be worth an investment. All the best

Regards
Tom