French Do335 No.2 M16 or M17?

[Simon Schatz]

Hi folks!
I'm currently reading all the Do335 books I have in my collection and ask myself why some of them say that M16, and some say that M17 was captured by the French, and later flown in France as No.2.
Seems Heinz Nowarra first time noted it as V17, but it seems he wasn't sure as he added a "?" next to the V17.
Does anybody have original documents that can solve this question?
Cheers, Simon

[Stig Jarlevik]

Simon

According to my French notes, the two 335s taken by/given to the French were No 1 Wnr 230014 (M14) and No 2 WNr 240313 (M17)

I have not correlated this (yet) with my Do 335 books.

Cheers
Stig

[Modeldad]

According to the Classic Publication Dornier Do 335 by Smith and Creek, 230014 was M14 RP+UQ 14. It was as B-2 with MK 103 cannon in the wings. Captured at Oberpfaffenhofen and handed over to French troops.

230017 was M17, a night fighter prototype, a B series airframe similar to M16, which was fitted with FuG 218. Captured by French troops at mengen.

[Simon Schatz]

Hi Folks,
thank you for the reply. I would be interested to see an official document. As the books make different details, I can't say who i right.
Cheers,

[Stig Jarlevik]

Modeldad

Yes it seems Smith/Creek have changed their minds from their Monogram book to their Classic one....of course without saying why.
Anyone got their second Classic version? Maybe they have changed their minds a third time??

Disregarding the WNr, all sources I have seem to agree that No 2 with the French was the M17. Can't find any which states it was the M16. Just out of curiosity Simon, which source(s) are you quoting where it says M16?

Cheers
Stig

[Simon Schatz]

Hi Stig!
Horst Lommel (Dornier Do 335 "Ameisenbär" A-6, A-10, A-11 und B-6 Doppelsitzer*Schulmaschine und Nachtjäger) and Manfred Griehl have noted it as M16.

[Tony Kambic]

I have the 2nd version.

Noted on page 181 is:

Do335 M14 WNr. 230014 RP+UQ a B-2 model French Aircraft No. 1
Captured intact at Dornier Mengen facility by French, scrapped 1949

Do335 M17 WNr. 240313 a B-6 model French Aircraft No. 2
Captured in an incompleted state at Dornier Mengen facility by French. French and Germans pieced together, scrapped 1949

Tony

[Stig Jarlevik]

Simon
Thanks, I have none of those references.

Tony
I just don't believe it. So Smith/Creek are back again on square one?
In the Monogram book (second printing 1997) they say WNr 240313

In their Classic Vol 13 (from 2006) they say WNr 230017

And now in Classic Vol 13 (second printing 2017) they again say WNr 240313

Do they at all offer any explanation in their second printing why they have this confusion regarding the WNr????

Sorry if I am a bit agitated, but right now I am fighting to get some air....

Cheers
Stig

[Tony Kambic]

I cannot find any comments or notations that something was changed from a previous printing. I looked at the Introduction, Forward, and Prizes of War sections. In the prizes of war is described locating the M17 airframe and taking 25 months to restore to flying condition.

Tony

[Simon Schatz]

Hi folks!
Seems this part of history is still a mystery, same as the tail numbers of the unfinished Do 335 (14/18, 16/20, ....) captured at Oberpfaffenhofen.
Nevertheless, thank you.
Cheers, Simon