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.

You can see the same warning triangles here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messer...f_the_USAF.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.

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-...ml?language=de

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.

https://www.key.aero/article/capt-er...ed-german-jets

RAF 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)


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

Cheers guys!

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:

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.

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

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....1380a9ee1b.jpg

Avro Lancaster - js1024 02 43 -Lancaster-55S1-WU15-795x569 - French wings over Algeria

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.

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.

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....9292749817.jpg
Mk XIX 262 Mk Vc and P-51 Coningsby 18 July 2023

so smooth looking in the air
 

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:

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

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).