Curious if all captured aircraft went for study or if any made it to
the private market.
was thinking of doing up a 109 or 262 in some Reno Air Race
livery.....bright red with big numbers, etc....
Craig
Just because it may not have happened, doesn't mean that you can't build
one. I have a Fleet Air Arm Bf-109F sat on my display shelf!
A wise man once said "Build what *you* want, the way *you* want to!"
Not exactly what you're talking about, but I've often considered
a Hispano Ha.1112, with a Griffon replacing the Merlin, using contra
props. Sort of a cross between an Me 109G & the Red Baron RB-51.
IIRC Howard Hughs was set to race an ME262 in the US. For one reason
or another those plans were squashed. That 262 was on display at POF
in Chino for many years.
Supposedly Howard Hughes managed to obtain an Me 262 and was intending
to enter it in the Clevelnd Air Races but was eventually dissuaded by
pressure from Hap Arnold and the Air Force establishment who didn't want
the possibility that a German-built aircraft might win out over US-built
types.
However, I've never found definitive evidence that this story is true -
though it abounds several places on the internet.
It sounds a bit fishy to me although I suppose anything is possible if
Hughes was involved.
Cheers,
Interesting...last I heard of that jet was that folks in Chino were
trying to get it flying using GE CJ-610s...and I seem to recall hearing
that they did.
Yes, that airplane did end up at Chino - it was purchased by Paul Allen for
his collection in Seattle, and when Paul approached the folks at Chino
wanting to know what it would take to make it flyable (That's the point to
his collection - they are all in AUTHENTIC & flyable condition) they had one
word for him...... DON'T. You may, perhaps, be thinking of the Stormbirds
replicas (also built in Seattle) that ARE flyable, using CJ-610s, or
something very like them. There is video on YouTube of one in the air at
last summer's Berlin Airshow. That was the 2nd one completed, sold to the
Messerschmitt Foundation. Collings Foundation has bought the 3rd one. 3
more still for sale, crack your wallet. ;)
This a great thread! I don't remember when, but it was one of the
years that I crewed Lafty Gardener's "Race 13" P-38, the rumors around
the pits was that a Messerschmitt of some type was going to be
entered. I'm pretty sure that it never came about, but I'm sure that
this group will come up with the answer.
As to a "what if" project, great idea with limitless possibilities.
Tom
No, I'm thinking of the one (previously?) in Chino. Was sitting in
Ontario airport some years back and overheard a couple of the guys from
the Chino shop talking about the project. At that time I don't think
the museum had been approached to buy the aircraft.
I also know that at one time every aircraft in the Planes of Fame
collection was airworthy and flyable too, so I wasn't too surprised at
hearing them talk.
There is a jet catagory at Reno. At present it is flown only by Aero
L-39 Albatross Czech trainers. The first year that t was tried as a
display race there was also a T-33, but the L-39s are much faster. I
don't think that the Me 262 would be competitive.
Tom
Not exactly "captured", but in the 1980s somebody raced a Hispano
(ex-Bf109) at Reno. It was in spurious Luftwaffe markings and didn't do
too well versus the modified P-51s and Sea Furies.
What would be cool would be a Dornier Do335 racer. That design had real
potential.
Stephen "FPilot" Bierce/IPMS #35922
{Sig Quotes Removed on Request}
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.