ME 262 SERVICE HISTORIES

[Chris Goss]

There are more far more knowledgeable than I on the 262 so can anyone tell me more about Wk Nrs 170041, 170059, 170067 & 170071?

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Chris,

From Dan O'Connell:

"170041 Call sign KI+IU. Me 262 A-1a. Recorded at Schwäbisch-Hall on 12 July 1944, it became 'White 10' of Erprobungskommando 262. It was then in service with Kommando Nowotny where Lt. FranzSchall landed this aircraft at Braunschweig-Waggum with 25% damage on 4 October 1944 (possibly 170047). It was later used by III./EJG 2, and featured in a training film. There is a strong possibility that it was then assigned to E-Stelle Lärz. On 9 March, Fw. Hans Kamp of Ekdo Lärz test flew it at 08:29 to 08:42, and again at 14:09 until 14:19 at Lärz. On the 10th he flew it again from 14:50 until 15:10. ‘White 10’.

170059 Call sign KL+WM. Me 262 A-1a. On 3 August 1944 Oblt. Hans-Günter Müller of Ekdo 262 ferried this plane from Leipheim to Lechfeld at 14:50-15:10. Assigned to Erprobungskommando 262, this A-1a was 60% or 65% damaged at Lechfeld on 20 August during a training flight due to a technical fault. The pilot was safe, and was either Lt. Hans Günther Müller or Lt. Rolf Weidemann. It had been noted earlier in August that the rudder guide rod was too weak and was bending and tearing. It was repaired and transferred to KG 51. It was back at Lechfeld with III./EJG 2 on 18 April 1945, when Uffz. (Fw.) Albert Ullrich formerly of JG 77, made his first training flight in a 262, from 10:20 to 10:40. ‘White 6’.

170067 Call sign KL+WU. Me 262 A-1a. First delivered to Erprobungskommando 262 at Lechfeld, 7 July 1944, (30 July) and marked 'White 3'. It was then assigned to III./EJG 2 (although they did not officially exist until November) on 27 July 1944 where it made at least 85 takeoffs, with 35 flying hours (by 26 March 1945), and was filmed during August. It was noted on 22 August that when braking strongly with the rudder pedals forward, the braking lever was bending. The same report also stated that it was still with EKdo 262. While landing at Lechfeld on 12 October the right tire burst, leading to the damage of the right wing, landing gear, flap, and engine. In a report dated 23 March 1945 it was discovered that while replacing a fuel tank, it had broken away from three of the four support bolts, and it was still waiting for the replacement wooden reinforcement brackets. It was last known to have been assigned to I./KG(J) 54.

170071 Call sign KL+WY. Me 262 A-1a. Painted in the early camouflage of RLM grays 74/75/76. It was first known to be with Erprobungskommando 262 as 'White 2', 1 August 1944 at Lechfeld. A document dated 13 October from Obb. Forschungsanstalt Oberammergau noted that this A-1a had deformed wing surfaces, and that both main gear doors were badly bent. It had made at least 39 takeoffs, with 14 hours and 23 minutes of flight time with EKdo 262 at that time. It was then transferred to III./EJG 2, where it is known to have been flown by Major Erich Hohagen on 15 November. Ofw. Hermann Buchner then flew it at Lechfeld on 19 November, from 10:00 until 10:22 for his first flight in a 262, followed by a second flight of ten minutes at 16:45. It was found abandoned on the autobahn near München in May 1945 by U.S. troops. Although photos exist showing both two and four MK 108 cannon ports, it was found with the standard fighter nose."

Regards,
Richard

[Chris Goss]

Many thanks Richard