Arado Ar 234 W.Nr 140492

[Chrisyates]

Back in April 1996 Flypast magazine published an article regarding Nr 440 Sqadron RCAF and its involvement in the invasion of Europe. One photo caught my eye, captioned "W/O McConvey admires a piece of Luftwaffe wreckage as he totes his parachute towards a Typhoon...". The piece of wreckage appears to be the fin panel from an AR 234 and displays the nr 140492, although not in the usual position, probably "added" as the photo appears staged. 440 Squadron moved throughout Europe from Sept 44 until being disbanded in August 1945.Is anybody able to shed any light on location, date and why such effort appears to have been made to add the W.Nr which is an authentic Ar 234 production. Regards, Chris.

[Nick Beale]

The 140 ... series was also used for the Bf 109 G-6.

[Khorat]

and for Ju 88 A-4 too - in 1943 had all losses 140491 - 140499 - except 140492..

khorat

[Peter D Evans]

I've seen this image reproduced somewhere before, but cannot for the life of me remember where. "Arado 234 Blitz" by Smith & Creek [Monogram, 1992] just has the following listed against this WNr:

Ar234B - WNr.140451-500
WNr.140492 - First flew January 13th 1945

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[Chrisyates]

Hi Peter, I started a thread on this subject a few years back on LEMB but it seems to of gone cold, that is probably why it is familiar. I must admit not to be aware of other types having the same or similar W.Nr series. I would rule out a JU 88 on the basis that 440 Squadron did not pass through Europe until after D Day and the liklyhood of material from 1943 surviving that long would be remote. The piece in question I would say is too large for a Bf 109, which brings me back to the Ar 234. The size, shape and hakenkruz position all seem convincing to me. The W.Nr was usually applied to the fin top, not the bottom of the main panel so I am curious as to why it is as shown. A degree of effort has gone in to "authenticating" this piece of a/c if this is the case, perhaps to send a message to the Luftwaffe, however insignificant?

[Peter D Evans]

Yes indeed Chris, the thread is still here and it was Nov'2005 to be exact

I tend to agree with your staged photo theory... I would assume that the lack of response is in no small way due to there possibly not being a loss to match this Ar234...

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[Nick Beale]

The Typhoon has invasion stripes and camouflage net over the wings. That would point to the earlier part of the campaign in North West Europe, wouldn't it?

The Ar 234 came on the scene in Autumn 1944 (apart from the two flown over Normandy from August by Sommer and Götz) in the reconnaissance role; as a bomber, it made its first attack at Christmas.

[RT]

Ar234 /140492 was still at Burg on april 1945, 140492 could be also a Hs129, concerning the Bf109 seems the 140XXX is full of holes nd 140492 was within one of these holes, a last minut outsider Ju87D-5..

Remi

[Chrisyates]

The first record for Ar 234 140492 is 17/01/1945, 440 Squadron based at airfield B58 Melsbroek from 26th September 1944. until March, then B10 Goch, then B110 Achmer 11th April. I have no idea how long invasion stripes would be retained but the it would appear that the dates are too late for this to be an Ar 234.
Remi, I would be interested in any more information regarding 140492 being at Burg in April 1945.

[RT]

The 1.F123 received this plane coming from Burg at that date

Really the panel looks like a piece of Ju87 tail, just the cross norm not 100 % ON THAT piece
Remi