Mock combat Tempest V vs. Dora 13

[Yves Marino]

The worldwide single still existing FW 190 D13/R11 Werk Nr. 836017 is in the Museum of Flight Seattle (was also the crown jewel of the Champlin collection in Mesa, Arizona).
"Yellow 10" was captured by the Canadians at Flensburg at wars end. Maj. Heinz Lange, the Kommodore of JG 51 who flew D-9's, was asked by the RAF on June 25. 1945 (with Günther Josten, also of JG 51), to fly this advanced fighter against the Hawker Tempest in mock combat.
Do you know the name of the canadian pilot who flew the Tempest?

[SMF144]

Yves,

I wish I had the answer for you... but as a side note, I knew a Canadian Typhoon pilot who witnessed the mock dog fight and all I can say is I wish I had taped the interview because it was quite descriptive. One point that stands out, (I didn't know there were two), a German pilot approached one of the officers in charge and asked "Chiefy, do you want me to take one up and show you what it can do?". I believe that request started what turned out to be a competitive air display of these piston powered rockets.

Stephen

[Kutscha]

What squadron was this Cdn Tempest pilot from?

[Yves Marino]

Originally Posted by Kutscha

What squadron was this Cdn Tempest pilot from?

If I knew!
I'm even not sure was he with RCAF or RAF. All sources I have (in English & German) mention that the plane was captured by the Canadians near Flensburg- I must go "deeper" and search who was there at the time.

[Yves Marino]

Stephen,
there is an older Eagle Edition book, called "Yellow 10", EagleFiles #2 by Jerry Crandall, illustrated by Thomas A. Tullis. I haven't seen it - maybe there is some information there?

[Kutscha]

There was no Tempest squadrons in the RCAF.

Flensburg was B.166.

A quick look through the bases of Tempest/Typhoons for the time show only the 3 Typhoon sqds of the RCAF (438, 439, 440) being based at B.166. So the question is, where did the Tempest come from.

3 Sqd at B.152 until 21 -6- 45 when it wemt to B.160 (Katstrup Den)
33 Sqd at B.109 until 19-6-45 when it went to B.155 (Dedelsorf Ger)l
56 Sqd at B.152 (Fassburg Ger) until 20-6-45 when it went to B.160
80 Sqd at B.152 until 20-6-45 when it went to B.160
274 Sqd at B.109 (Quackenbruck Ger) until 20-6-45 when it went to B.155
486 Sqn at B.160 until 20-6-45 when it went to B.172 (Husum Ger)

[George Hopp]

I think that what was said was that it was a Canadian Tempest pilot. So, it would have been a Canadian in an RAF Tempest squadron. And, since many Canadians did serve in RAF squadrons that is not a far-fetched notion.

[Kutscha]

Yes George. Many Cdns flew Tempests with the RAF. The top Cnd flying Tempests was F/O DE Ness, DFC of #56. He was ranked (tied) for 4th behind an American(11 or 12), a Kiwi(9), a Brit(6) and another Kiwi(5).

The Tempest had to fly in from someplace as no Temepsts were based at Flensburg.

Husum is the closest base to Flensburg but this was a Kiwi squadron base. The next closest is Katstrup in Copenhagen.

Flensburg is on the Danish/Germany border NW of Keil. Husun is west of Keil at the end of an inlet from the North Sea.

[SMF144]

Kutscha,

Speaking of F/O Ness, do we know what happened to him?

Stephen

[Kutscha]

Sorry Stephen, don't know.