Me 262 inbound over the Channel

[Less Hair]

https://twitter.com/RAFBBMF/status/1679099063055073280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembe d%7Ctwterm%5E1679099063055073280%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=about%3Asrcdoc

Me 262 inbound for Fairford with BBMF Spitfire.

[chevvron]

Have its engines melted yet?

[Less Hair]

It is a replica with lear jet engines.

[Liffy 1M]

That was yesterday. It arrived at Fairford in formation with a P-51D and Spitfire XIX of the RR Heritage Flight.

[DaveReidUK]

And for anyone who wants to see it and can't get to RIAT, it will be on display at the BBMF Visitor Centre on Monday.

[EXDAC]

Interesting video but I was hoping to see gun camera footage from the intercept.

[Asturias56]

Interesting video but I was hoping to see gun camera footage from the intercept.

Hmmm - from which aircraft?? it would be a close thing I think

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/heres-why-also-according-to-adolf-galland-the-spitfire-mk-xiv-and-not-the-p-51d-was-the-best-piston-engined-fighter-of-wwii-in-europe/

[Brewster Buffalo]

Not flying today and probably not tomorrow due weather at Fairford. Same for BBMF.

Note BBMF website says - "Messerschmitt 262 D-IMTT will be available to view on BBMF hangar tours only on Tuesday 18 July. It will then be returning to its home in Germany on Wednesday 19 July."

[DaveReidUK]

Not flying today and probably not tomorrow due weather at Fairford. Same for BBMF.

Note BBMF website says - "Messerschmitt 262 D-IMTT will be available to view on BBMF hangar tours only on Tuesday 18 July. It will then be returning to its home in Germany on Wednesday 19 July."

Yes, it's due to arrive at Coningsby late on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday it will be hangared and therefore visible only on hangar tours, and is due to depart on Wednesday.

So Monday or Wednesday for those who want to see it flying, Tuesday for viewing close-up in the hangar.

[meleagertoo]

What a shame it isn't being accompanied by a Meteor - what a missed oportunity!

[VictorGolf]

Where would you find an airworthy Meteor in the UK?

[BSAA1947]

Where would you find an airworthy Meteor in the UK?

Do Martin Baker still operate one from Chalgrove?

[VictorGolf]

Quite right, I'd forgotten them as they appear in public so infrequently.

[longer ron]

One of MB's Meteors is at Fairford this weekend :)

[DaveReidUK]

Do Martin Baker still operate one from Chalgrove?

They have two based there, though I'm not sure whether the second one is still flyable.

[longer ron]

They have two based there, though I'm not sure whether the second one is still flyable.

I think WL419 'probably' available with very minimal work Dave (ie almost ready to go)

Nice article with some lovely pics here from Key in March 2023 - https://www.key.aero/article/martin-baker-meteors-how-first-generation-jets-test-ejection-seats-5th-gen-fighters

The future of the Meteor in service with Martin-Baker is good. Since recovery in 2001 and during MOD/MAA oversight, WA638 had accumulated a total of 566 tests plus the four for the F-35 since December 2015. Although it is having its flying hours managed, WL419 has carried out 253 seat tests to date. The figures are very impressive, especially considering this is a first generation, 1940s-era jet fighter that is directly helping the development of the state-of-the-art fifth generation.

[chevvron]

I think WL419 'probably' available with very minimal work Dave (ie almost ready to go)

Nice article with some lovely pics here from Key in March 2023 - https://www.key.aero/article/martin-baker-meteors-how-first-generation-jets-test-ejection-seats-5th-gen-fighters
I believe they use them in turns every couple of years in order to preserve airframe life.
Talking of Chalgrove, the airfield (plus one of the meatboxes) was on telly a couple of months ago; TV series called 'The Prisoner' and I think the sequence at Chalgrove was filmed in about '68.

[longer ron]

I assume WL419 has the higher Airframe Hours/FI of the 2 Meteors - as mentioned in post #16 WL419 flying hours being 'managed' so 638 has been doing the lions share of seat testing for quite a few years now.

[CAEBr]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/20230717_214303_b54f4aee0a094cd69c111b63b56cd26bd06a0b77.jpg
Coming into Coningsby this afternoon.
Obviously it's not allowed to display Swastikas but its displaying at least 6 warning triangle signs that I don't recall seeing on original Luftwaffe schemes. Perhaps it's an admission that it was more dangerous to the Luftwaffe than the RAF and the USAAF

[Less Hair]

Those signs are original wartime style.

[Krystal n chips]

OK, slight thread drift here please

Looking at the many types on display at RIAT, it was noticeable how many were formerly operated by the RAF, but which are still being operated by other nations.

All we need next year is for the Indian A.F, to send a couple of Jags to more or less complete the line up.

[Jhieminga]

Obviously it's not allowed to display Swastikas but its displaying at least 6 warning triangle signs that I don't recall seeing on original Luftwaffe schemes.
You can see the same warning triangles here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_262#/media/File:Messerschmitt_Me_262A_at_the_National_Museum_of_the_USA F.jpg and on other Me262 photos. There are variations between airframes, but I'm sure that the Messerschmitt Stiftung has put some research into this scheme.

[Less Hair]

Those were maintenance stencils for fuel grades to use, oil types and such. With war progressing things were simplified and maybe details not done anymore.

https://www.peddinghaus-decals.de/1-18-Decals-fuer-Flugzeugmodelle/Stencils-for-Me-262--21--Century-planes.html?language=de

[Pypard]

OK, slight thread drift here please

Looking at the many types on display at RIAT, it was noticeable how many were formerly operated by the RAF, but which are still being operated by other nations.

All we need next year is for the Indian A.F, to send a couple of Jags to more or less complete the line up.

It's gratifying to see that other air forces can use our cast-offs; it has long been the case. It's also worth noting that many of our surviving WW2 warbirds are only alive today because they were operated long after their sell-by date by other air forces.

[treadigraph]

It's gratifying to see that other air forces can use our cast-offs; it has long been the case. It's also worth noting that many of our surviving WW2 warbirds are only alive today because they were operated long after their sell-by date by other air forces.
Also that our cast-offs can return to the fold - ie the Hawker Hunter that attended! Did any Me262s ever gain an RAF serial when we tested stuff after the war? Pretty sure "Watson's Whizzers" in the US included several 262s.

[Less Hair]

https://www.key.aero/article/capt-eric-winkle-brown-test-flying-seized-german-jets

RAF 262s.

[Fargo Boyle]

Also that our cast-offs can return to the fold - ie the Hawker Hunter that attended! Did any Me262s ever gain an RAF serial when we tested stuff after the war? Pretty sure "Watson's Whizzers" in the US included several 262s.
The RAF Museum's 262 was allocated serial VK893, probably others were - I'll have a look in Phil Butler's 'War Prizes' book later.

A/C SERIAL NO (rafmuseum.org.uk) (https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/85-AF-69-Me262-112372.pdf)


Edit; also found VH509, scrapped in Canada post-war
VH519 preserved in S Africa
VP554 extant Australian War Memorial

[treadigraph]

Cheers guys!

[tdracer]

Back, oh roughly 20 years ago - some enterprising people built 3 ME 262 replicas at Paine Field (the airport where the Boeing 747/767/777 Factory is located). I discovered them when - while taxying out to takeoff for a flight test - we went by an open hanger with a ME 262 sitting just inside (did a pretty good double take when I saw it). Did a little research after that and apparently they were built to the original blueprints but of course with modern engines and instrumentation.
Never saw one fly though :uhoh:

[treadigraph]

There are five of them tdracer , this is one of them, Collings Foundation and Jerry Yagen fly one each; the other two haven't flown as far as I know, one is with Evergreen, the other still at Paine Field? Engines are CJ610s as used in Lear 24s, etc.

[EXDAC]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_262_Project

[tdracer]

This Smithsonian Magazine article is linked off the Wiki page that EXDAC posted, but in case you missed it, it's worth the read:

Stormbird | Air & Space Magazine| Smithsonian Magazine (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/stormbird-12695578/)

[radar101]

It's gratifying to see that other air forces can use our cast-offs; it has long been the case. It's also worth noting that many of our surviving WW2 warbirds are only alive today because they were operated long after their sell-by date by other air forces.

I believe Just Jane, the Lanc at East Kirkby, had a stint with French Naval Aviation.

[DaveReidUK]

I believe Just Jane, the Lanc at East Kirkby, had a stint with French Naval Aviation.

Yes, in fact it never flew operationally with the RAF, spending its first 7 years in storage before being transferred to Aéronavale in 1952:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x732/js1024_02_43_lancaster_55s1_wu15_795x569_d8351bda9be9e7141fe 1e29dcb08991380a9ee1b.jpg

Avro Lancaster - js1024 02 43 -Lancaster-55S1-WU15-795x569 - French wings over Algeria (http://www.frenchwings.net/algeria/gallery/displayimage.php?album=54&pid=55)

[meleagertoo]

istr the Paine Field 262 replicas were so faithful (read obsessive) with accuracy that the much smaller modern engines were hidden inside a second, inner cowling that exactly replicated the external appearance of the original Jumo.

[Less Hair]

They had started with duplicating an original airframe that was not airworthy any more in Texas. Then the Stormbirds group at Everett got a lot of professional support by Boeing people. Finally Messerschmitt Stiftung at Manching topped off the airframe and equipment to the best standard they could do. They mainly preserve it and don't show it elsewhere too often.

[taildragger123]

Went to view in the hangar yesterday 18/7/23 but it was outside and flew with the BBMF MKV and RR XIX Spits and the RR Mustang. It may be delayed going home as it suffered a bird strike during the flight.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1388x924/dscf4714aaa_207bfaa4cffcbaee479c56bf00a4ae9292749817.jpg
Mk XIX 262 Mk Vc and P-51 Coningsby 18 July 2023

[Good Vibs]

Many years ago my sons and and I attended the Flying Legends on both Sat & Sun. We stayed both days until the very end to watch any additional traffic.
On Sunday the local based T-33 arrived after he was at another airshow.
We watched him entering downwind, turning to base and final to landing. Compared to the thrilling action of the previous days he appeared so smooth and fast with no apparent effort!
The 262 must give the same impression.
Beautiful photo of the four by the way!:ok:

[meleagertoo]

The 262 must still rate as one of the best-looking jets - the lines are almost perfect.Wonderful that these replicas are flying.

[tdracer]

There are five of them tdracer , this is one of them, Collings Foundation and Jerry Yagen fly one each; the other two haven't flown as far as I know, one is with Evergreen, the other still at Paine Field? Engines are CJ610s as used in Lear 24s, etc.
That all makes sense and basically agrees with my memory - at the time I saw that ME 262 at Paine, it appears they only had committed to building three, they had parts for two more but no commitments to actually build them.
Looking back on it - had I known there was so much involvement by current and former Boeing employees, I rather wish I'd made the effort to get some inside access (if nothing else to visit their hanger and get a close up look at what was going on).

[Noyade]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x1153/scan1398_04f5349942c280d3901060f3b0234664fb63e020.jpg

[Jhieminga]

Have a look at Darren Harbar's site: https://www.darrenharbar.co.uk/shop He's got some limited edition prints of the Me262 with Spitfire Mk.V AB910 for sale (I'm not associated with this shop at all, just promoting some lovely photography).