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

[edwest2]

For the record, T-2 is code for Technical Intelligence at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. They operated as various divisions after the war, including the Wright Air Development Center.

During the war, captured German aircraft were sent there for evaluation. T-3 was code for their Engineering department.

Captured German documents in both translated and untranslated form, became available to aircraft manufacturers. They were required to submit a formal request on letterhead to get these documents.

There is no comprehensive history of activities at Wright Field that I am aware of.