Texas Air Museum - Stinson Field

[Messy1]

I agree. That's a beautiful plane! I'd love to see on in person!

[A4K]

Re Fiesler Fi 103:

Sorry! Remembered a couple of things wrong !(posts edited accordingly to avoid confusion)

Photocopied from a book on aircraft of the Luftwaffe (didn’t record title):

Known alternatively as the FZG 76 (Flakzielgeraet: anti-aircraft aiming device 76) or Vergeltungswaffe Eins (Reprisal weapon I ), or more simply as the V 1 , the Fi 103 flying bomb was designed by Dipl–Ing Robert Lüsser of Fieseler, and had a Siemens guidance system.
It could be launched from a 50 m (152 ft ) inclined ramp by a Walter steam-driven catapult, or air-dropped from a carrier aircraft (usually an He 111). The weapons were launched against Britain (from 13 June 1944) and targets in Continental Europe, and more than 30,000 were manufactured by Henschel, Mittelwerke and Volkswagen factiories.
An Askanian gyroscope fed signals to the elevators and rudder to control attitude and direction, and the terminal dive was initiated when a pre-set distance had been flown.
Operational air launches were mostly made from He 111Hs of KG 3 (later KG 53); but whatever the launch method, about a quarter of the weapons failed in use and only about a quarter of the remainder got through Allied defences.
Even more of a desperation weapon was the ’Reichenberg’ piloted series, of which there were four versions: the single-seat and two-seat unpowered Fi 103R-I and R-II, the single-seat powered R-III trainer and the proposed operational R-IV. About 175 were so converted, but none were used in combat.

The following info came from various sources, but mostly from ’Flugzeug Typen der Welt’:

-The Fi 103R-I was used for ground testing;
-The Fi 103R-II was a two seat glider trainer (with extended wingspan and two seperate cockpits – one before, and one aft of the mainplanes) for novice pilots;
-The FI 103R-III was a two-seat powered trainer for more experienced pilots (note the clash with the above info, but seems more logical it should be a two seater);
-The R-IV was the operational version, which was a standard V 1 with single cockpit and canopy fitted, and improved flying controls.
-The ’R’ designation came from the project name ’Reichenberg’
-The Fi 103R was not a ’suicide plane’ - it was intended the pilot should line the aircraft up with the target, then bale-out and land by parachute.

[Heinz]

Great shots Thorlifter glad you had some nice suprises

[Thorlifter]

Thanks Heinz.

Here's another cool thing.......I leave today to go back down to San Antonio. With a spot of luck, there will be a new surprise for me in Burnet again!

[A4K]

We'll be waiting, mate!...

[the mauser kid]

I've been to the this museum, and yes it is a bit old but once you look around it has some great stuff. After I got home and looked it up once again I found that the curator I was talking to was in ww2, when he was 13 or 14 and they had a great display on young US soldiers. I was great to see the 190 up close, it was the first I had seen in person. Really want to see the D-13 though.

[Thorlifter]

Originally Posted by A4K

We'll be waiting, mate!...

Then check this out.........

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/off...ain-12613.html (HE HE. I'm lucky again.......)

[A4K]

I caught that thread, thanks mate- you lucky dog you..!

[Violator]

The 190 D-13 referenced by DBII was—until a few weeks ago—on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. I was there Saturday and much to my dismay it was gone. I knew it was only a matter of time since hearing last year that Paul Allen acquried it for his collection. Doug Champlin had it on loan to the MOF until he found a buyer. The word was that he was asking $5M for it; I have no idea if this is true.

Allen is the in process of moving his collection from Arlington, WA south about 20 miles to Everett, WA and I believe the 190 will be there. If any of you are in the Seattle area, it's definitely worth it (as is the MOF) as the 190 in person is simply stunning.

[A4K]

Thanks for the info, mate! Would love the chance to see her for real!

[Heinz]

With Evan! So many birds overseas i gotta get to and see!

[A4K]

You'd love the European museums, Alex!
A few examples from the Deutsches Technisches Museum in Münich: Fokker Dr.I, Fokker D.VII, Rumpler C.IV, Messerschmitt Bf 108, Bf 109E-1, Me 163B Komet, and Me 262A, Fiesler Fi 103 'V-1' and Fi 156 Storch, V2 on launch ramp (!), SG38 glider, Junkers Ju 52/3M, Henschel Hs 293 and Fritz X guided missiles, SdKfz 2/1 Kettenkraftrad, and(replica) Bachem Ba 349 Natter - not to mention post war types including the VTOL Dornier Do.31...
And that's just one of the museums here...!

[Heinz]

oh I'd never leave!

Actually hoping to get over to Europe and the Uk to see some family and take some airshows in.

Soon I hope. need a better quality digital camera as well..........folding stuff is getting in the away again

[A4K]

Mate, if you ever come to Hungary, you've always got a place to crash!

[Thorlifter]

Party at A4K's house!!!!!!!