Making-History

Initially Britain’s latest aircraft were on show – Bristol Brigand MX991, de Havilland Hornet PX237, Hawker Fury NX802, Gloster Meteor IV EE360/G, Fairey Firefly IV Z2118, the superb Martin-Baker MB 5, Fairey Barracuda V and Vickers Armstrong Windsor B.Mk1 bomber. With its four mainwheel layout and complex gunnery system, the bomber was the most unusual of the Britons, none of which generated the fascination and novelty possessed by the Germans. Come now on a tour of the exhibits.

This long-nosed Focke Wulf Fw 190D 210079 (painted in two shades of light grey with pale blue under surfaces and with black ’12’ ahead of the crosses) was in fair condition when I first visited, on November 2. By the end of the second public day, November 11, vandalism had taken its toll.

Balancing alongside is a piloted FZG-76 flying-bomb redesignated Fi 103R and test flown by Hanna Reitsch. Modifications include a 4ft (1.2m) belly skid and primitive eight-instrument cockpit containing a backless wooden seat and crude padded headrest. A stick controls the elevators and ailerons, the throttle is of wood and a button takes care of fuel flow. Frightening to fly, surely, this one was used to ascertain the V-1’s ideal operating speeds. Beyond the Fi 156C CV/2008 and an Bf 109B is ‘AIR MIN 111’, a dark green-blue-brown/light blue Fw 190F-8/R15 whose long travel tail wheel leg raises the aircraft to allow belly torpedo carriage. A clear, ‘bulged’, canopy is featured by the Fw 190F, and that ‘hole in the wing’ allows viewing of a crude torpedo launch angle and flap depression indicator. The Bf 109G-14 alongside is the Central Fighter Establishment’s (CFE VD358 ‘EA-2’ – lettering yellow – carrying prominent D-Day stripes beneath the wings.

Now for the first really interesting item, a pale grey and blue Focke Wulf Ta 152H-1. Once flown by JG301, 150168 now ‘AIR MIN 11’ was intended for high-altitude operations as its 47ft 6in/253 sq ft (14.4m/23.5m²) very high aspect ratio wing indicates. Gone is the BMW 801 of the Fw 190; in its place an annular cowled inline 1,700hp Jumo 213E with huge supercharger intake. Aided by GM-1 nitrous-oxide injection the Ta 152H could attain over 472mph (760km/h) at 41,000ft (12,500m) and reach 48,550ft (14,800m) – very impressive.

Remember wartime photos of twin-boom Focke Wulf Fw 189 Owls, always seeming to have been taken in Russia or around the Mediterranean? At last it is possible not only to find one, but to actually touch it, in this case an Fw 189A-3, AIR MIN 7. Surprisingly large, it spans 60ft (18m) and has been included for consideration of the twin-boom layout and excellent view from the central nacelle.

How the Germans wished they had Mosquitoes and this He 219 prototype VII 310189, rebuilt as an A-5/R2, is an attempted antidote. With an astonishingly slender fuselage, wings, tail, annular cowled DB603G engines and very light grey finish with darker stipples on the upper surfaces, its 33,000lb (15,000kg) all-up weight means it is underpowered. Maximum speed is about 365mph (587km/h) at 19,700ft (6,000m). The crew of two enter through the top of the cabin, to sit in compressed air-operated ejector seats; the first in operational use. The white ‘AIR MINISTRY 22’ identity is hard to detect.

The outstanding Arado Ar 234B-2, of which VK877/AIR MIN 26 is an example of the world’s first operational photo-reconnaissance jet, several of which, and possibly this one used by 1.(F)/33, ventured over East Anglia in the latter part of the war. Finish is excellent; the view from the much glazed cabin superb. Note the centrally sited blind flying panel with other instruments flanking it, the closely cowled axial flow Jumo 004-B3 turbines, and camera in the rear fuselage; it even features a braking parachute. The Me 262A-1 is represented by this example used by I/JG 7. Farnborough flying suggests a top speed of 540mph (869km/h) at 19,685ft (6,000m), a ceiling approaching 40,000ft (12,192m) and possibly 95 minutes operational endurance. German records list a climb to 26,240ft (7,998m) taking 11 minutes and a take-off run of 1,090 yards (997m). A broad blue band aft with a red one to its rear encircle the unusual triangular cross section fuselage of ‘AIR MIN 80’ which displays 119610 on its fin.

Altogether different is this ingenious hefty twin-engined fighter, the business-like Do 335A-12 driven by pusher and puller 1,700hp DB-603A annular cowled engines. The front propeller incorporates reverse pitch to shorten the landing run, and ejector seats are fitted. An incredible speed of 455mph (732km/h) at 23,300ft (7,100m) is claimed for the single-seater making it the world’s fastest piston-engined fighter. This, though, is a two-seat trainer version able to reach 430mph (692km/h) at 17,700ft (5,395m). The wings are detachable in entirety at their roots for easy transport. One of a group captured by the US 9th Army at Dornier’s Oberpaffenhoffen works, it hides its 240112 individual identity internally.

This ex-I/NJG 3 Bf 110G-4 night fighter, ‘AIR MINISTRY 30’/730037 carries FuG 202 radar and very large exhaust flame dampers. A rarer sight is the pale grey and blue Me 410B-6 ‘AIR MINSITRY V3’, a maritime strike fighter carrying small nose radar aerials associated with FuG 200.

One of the most important Luftwaffe aircraft captured during the war was the Ju 88G-1 night fighter, 4R+UR/712273, which its pilot landed at Woodbridge, in error, on July 13, 1944. Siebel Si 204D-1 AM4, BU+PP, unusually carrying an extensive array of nose aerials, was used as a radar trainer – as you can see from its tightly packed contents.

Wartime tales of Mistel composite aircraft were, to say the least, lurid. Strong rumours spread after one exploded near Andover in the summer of 1944. This Mistel combination consists of pale coloured Fw 190A 733759//AIR MIN 77 controller attached to the dark and light green (with black snake lines) time-expired Ju 88A ‘2492/AIR MIN 77’. More novel than awe inspiring, and somehow smaller than expected, it was being used by IV/KG200, the training element of the ‘spooky’ Geschwader.

Can you recall Ju 188s chugging around, sounding like high-speed over-powered Ansons, over Britain from September 1943? Ju 188A-1 AIR MIN 108/230776, powered by Jumo 211s might have been among them. In familiar German style the crew would all work closely together. Guns have gone, but plentiful radio and other equipment makes it cramped and looking unplanned even if the space is greater than in a Ju 88. The nose transparency provides a very good all-round view. Green spinners with white spiralling are unusual, and there are three large areas of black on the upper green camouflage.

An up-market 1,800hp BMW 801TJ powered version of the Ju 188 was the Ju 388 labelled a ‘K’ but more likely an ‘L’ because of its belly extension carrying cameras. Faster and higher flying than a ‘188, it has a two-gun remotely controlled twin MG 131 FA 15 tail turret. A top speed of 382mph (615km/h) at 29,300ft (8,930m) is claimed. This is a development aircraft, 4500006 PE+IF/’AIR MIN 83’ and has very bright blue under surfaces.

No German aircraft display would surely be complete without a Heinkel 111, such an audible unmistakable Luftwaffe wartime item. This specimen, 701152, is an H-20 transport which originally featured a dorsal turret. It wears a smart matt black overall paint scheme. Red letters outlined in white may look strange until one spots the combined ‘OCW’ and ‘HV’ along with ‘Americanised’ roundels and US markings below the wingtip. Captured by the Americans and intended for shipment home, it instead was diverted to the 56th FG, hence the ‘HV’ identity and squadron commander’s initials.

The only other bomber on show, Dornier Do 217M-1 ‘AM106’/56527, is also mainly matt black. Grey mottled areas and ‘snaky’ wave style side camouflage have been added. Over painted and faintly visible on the starboard side are small letters ‘U5’ aft and bold ‘HK’ forward. Early 1944 found the aircraft with I/KG2. With a weapon rack beneath each mainplane, the Do 217M can reach 320mph (515km/h) at 18,000ft (5,486m). Carrying 4,840Ib (2,195kg) load in the 14ft 10in (4.5m) long bomb bay its range is 1,090 miles (1,754km) when cruising at 230mph (370km/h).

Sitting at the controls of the large, curious Arado Ar 232B transport certainly is a rare treat! AIR MIN 17 displays ‘RB’ in black on the port fuselage side and just ‘R’ on the starboard all dating from service with III/KG 200. Defence is vested in a dorsal MG 151; two guns poking from where boom and main body meet, and an MG 131 in the nose. The four-section, plank-like wing spanning 110ft (33m) is certainly very advanced, for it incorporates for good field performance boundary layer control over the trailing sections and flaps. Reduced pressure in the oleo legs allows the aircraft, for loading, to sink close to the ground. Then, a large very low angle ramp is lowered from the rear fuselage; the interior cargo area volume is small when compared with that of a modern transport. Take-off weight is 46,600lb (21,138kg) including 10,000lb (4,536kg) of useful load. The aircraft cruises at 180mp/h (290km/h) at 6,560ft (2,000m) for 565 miles (909km). The ‘flying elephant’ emblem on both sides of the nose is novel. By the way, it had a type name…Hercules!

The next item is a Ju 290A-2 – how many of us wanted to see one of the big Junkers bombers reported over Britain in 1940? And how many, in desperation imagined they could see one? Although it still features a large cargo ramp this is one of only three A-2 reconnaissance bombers which joined FAG.5 at Mont-de-Marsan for Biscay operations, hence the search radar and additional gun turret. Very square in section, the capacious and empty fuselage has sides and roof painted yellow. A turret just aft of the cockpit can mount a 20mm cannon. A yellow band had once encircled the rear fuselage upon which ‘9V’ in small characters had been applied. Aft of the crosses on 110157/ ‘AIR MIN 57’ was a red ‘B’ and a black ‘K’ all linking it with 2/FAG 5.

There is still plenty lots to see, like ‘AIR MIN 109’, a Ju 352 and an advanced relation of ‘auntie 52’. The nose engine pokes snout-like giving an overbalanced appearance to the overall length of 79ft 4in (24m). Very complex exhaust stacking leads fumes clear of the cockpit. Dropping down amidships is yet another sizeable entry ramp settling too steeply at 45° or so. Forward view from the cockpit, especially on the ground and despite lowered side panels, leaves much to be desired for a military transport. On the fuselage ‘RX’ precedes the balkenkreuz and ‘G6’ in small digits is painted aft.

Before leaving the aircraft park we must climb aboard Fw 200C-4, ‘AIR MIN 94’, GC+AE and one-time personal transport of Heinrich Himmler, Head of the Gestapo. Camouflaged dark grey and dark green with light blue under surfaces, and like most German transport having yellow undersides to the cowlings, it retains a forward turret and a Fw 20 gun position at the rear of the belly ‘bath’, for it was built as a bomber. The interior is sombre with high gloss grey painted areas, polished wooden panelling and grey upholstery. For its time, the galley is quite extensive. Seating is for 11 passengers in two compartments, Himmler and four friends occupying one. Try his bullet-proof seat!

The Group ‘A’ indoor exhibits filling ‘A’ Shed are incredible. Confronting us upon entry, Rheinmetall Borsig’s Rheintochter (Rhine Daughter) R1 guided weapon sets the scene. Most futuristic looking, this surface-to-air rocket missile consists of two-stages, solid fuelled. Launched from an inclined ramp, stage one falls away automatically igniting stage two. The warhead is just aft of the 40° swept wings. Radio control is linked to small nose elevators.

Overall the missile is 18ft 10.5in (5.7m) long, attains a speed of up to 1,500 feet-per-second but has limited value because its ceiling is only 20,000ft (6,096m).

Built by Elektromechanische Werke this next missile is a quarter-scale model of their radio-controlled liquid acid and Visol powered ground-to-air anti-aircraft rocket Wasserfall (Waterfall). After vertical launch its radio picks up instructions guiding it to its quarry. The 500lb (227kg) warhead is proximity fused, and the missile can attain 800mph (1,287km/h) and 55,000ft (16,764m). Of over 30 launched, only a dozen performed as intended. The model is 6ft 3.5in (2m) long and 8.5in (21cm) in diameter, so the full-scale rocket was indeed large. In the next group are air-to surface weapons. The battleship grey radio-controlled anti-shipping glider bomb with 1,100lb (500kg) warhead is an Hs 293A. Guidance flares can be fitted, and a 10-second burn propulsion unit fits below the bomb. It’s amazing that the Germans had this flying by late 1940. Alongside is ‘Fritz X’ a 3,090Ib (1,400kg) armour-piercing bomb fitted with four short wings.

The most curious-looking missile is the radio-controlled, red-painted 4ft (1.2m) long Hs 298. It’s an air-to-air proximity fused guided weapon for air launch against bomber formations from up to a mile away.

Suspended above is a quite remarkable 1,600lb (726kg) Bv 246 unpowered glider bomb. Launched from high altitude it was designed to silently cruise for over 100 miles (160km).

To test smaller rocket weapons slave workers were forced to excavate underground tunnels, one 1,300ft (400m) long tapering from 24ft (7m) to 16ft (5m) in diameter at Volkenrode, where this Feuerlillie 25 was found.

One will surely marvel long at the advanced nature of all those, and certainly of the V-2 rocket over there. The ‘Scuds’ of future Desert Storm showed very little advance over the V-2, and none over its planned derivatives. It would have taken many days just to fully examine this part of the exhibition. V-2 No 24061 – we recently saw 21100 exhibited in Trafalgar Square – was sectioned so that its complexity was fully revealed. At full power, giving 8g acceleration (or 5,000fps), its motor produces the equivalent of 600,000hp, a typical flight lasting five minutes and covering a ground track of between 180 and 220 miles (290 and 350km).

Its simpler cousin, the V-1 flying bomb, is set here in the finest FZG-76 exposure ever likely to appear. 112846 fully cutaway reveals its larger fuel tanks and proportionally smaller warhead. Such changes controlled range. Some V-1s had a clockwork device altering course up to 90°. The ‘caption boards’ are excellent – look at that amazing map showing ramp orientation of French launch sites and likely track lengths. There is so much to fascinate.

In ‘A’ Shed aircraft take second place. There are two He 162 A-1s AM66/120091 and AM64/120097, Fw 190A-4 171747 for undercarriage retraction, a Focke Achgellis Fa 330 unpowered rotor kite, Ju 88G-6 ‘AIR MIN 31’, Bf 109G-14 and an Me163B 191912.                                

There are also very different items including a three-man delivery container and a 2,160lb (980kg) Type G luftminen or air mine with fins instead of a parachute. Parts of the mine are uniquely made of Bakelite.

The wooden tail-less glossy cellulose finished glider is LA+AC, the Horten IV. The pilot lies prone beneath a humped canopy.

Time is racing by fast and there’s still so much to see including another giant, high-altitude, single-seat fighter, with 66ft (20m) span wings of aspect ratio 12, and a 35ft (10.6m) long fuselage. This, the second and incomplete Blohm and Voss Bv 155B, is powered by a 1,410hp DB603U with a two-stage TKL 15 turbo-supercharger.

There’s insufficient time to visit Static Group B displaying engines and instruments. Included are the DB-601 and 603, and the coupled DB605s which, through a massive plain spur drive, produced the DB610A coupled engine for the He 177. Guns, turrets, bombs, radio, radar, all are there with experts to explain the details. A feast, an absolute joy!