eBAy: Captured german planes

[Karoband]

Franck, I took a look at those rondels with the anchors. I think you have a viable thesis. As "USA 4" it may have been a gift from the Americans.

[edwest2]

From joebaugher.com

USA numbers were allocated by Royal Air Force Intelligence teams to aircraft located in Northern Germany and Denmark which were listed as being of interest by US Intelligence. Details were then forwarded to Colonel Harold Watson and, if required by the Americans, the aircraft were handed over to the USAAF.


USA 4 Messerschmitt Me 262B-1a/U1 two-seat trainer converted into a provisional night fighter version equipped with FuG 218 Neptun radar and Hirschgeweih (stag antler) eight-dipole antenna array. (Werk Nr 110635) Coded ‘Red 10’ of IV./NJG 11. Surrendered to British forces at Schleswig-Jagel, Germany 8May45. Not taken up by the US.

[ouidjat]

Originally Posted by Karoband

Franck, I took a look at those rondels with the anchors. I think you have a viable thesis. As "USA 4" it may have been a gift from the Americans.

Frankly I don't know. Obviously we can see anchors on roundels but it's not the normal way to paint them and I don't understand why the French Navy ...
Since I guess there was no French troops at Schleswig-Jagel these anchors are a free GI rendition.
Need to have a look in old "Fanatique de l'Aviation" article concerning the Me262s used by Armée de l'Air.
Last, yes, we can imagine it has been a gift but if so it hasn't been flown from there to Bretigny but, better, disassembled and load on trucks ... Hence my comments above.


Regards,
Franck.