Captured Fw200´s in Great Britain

Hi Steve, I think You are right – it would really make no sense, to create a new type of Code – just to mark some captured Aicraft´s. And if the RAF would have done so, they would have renamed all A/C of this Type, not only a single one. GC-AE for that reason, should have been GC+AE German code.

This leaves me with the old Problem : Not a single other Fw200 is known with a GC+A? Code.
Lots of Work ahead… the Fate of 108 Fw200´s is still unknown, in a total of 280 delivered A/C´s.

Hi Condor, as far as I’m aware, RAF codes were usually a two letter code for the Squadron, and a single letter for the individual aircraft. Using the codes on Spitfire TD248 as a topical example, HF – L would be aircraft ‘L’ from 183 Squadron.

I’m not aware of any instances where an individual aircraft code comprised two letters, which would suggest to me that GC – AE is the original Luftwaffe code. The spacing of the letters either side of the national insignia could be another clue – the RAF roundel is rather small, whereas the remains of the German cross can still be seen, and the codes seem to have the correct spacings in relation to the cross.

Hope that helps.

Does anybody know, if RAF or other british Authorities, gave Codes / Registrations other than “AIR MIN ::” to captured enemy Aircrafts ?

Maybe, the Code GC+AE was not German, but British GC-AE ?

Hi,

Re AM94, what I posted is all ‘War Prizes’ has to say on this aircraft, so no mention of the fate.

Try these links, they have info & pix re some of the other captured Fw200s.

http://p069.ezboard.com/fluftwaffeexperten71774frm81.showMessage?topicID=44.topic

http://p069.ezboard.com/fluftwaffeexperten71774frm81.showMessage?topicID=7.topic

http://p069.ezboard.com/fluftwaffeexperten71774frm90.showMessage?topicID=48.topic

‘War Prizes’ is well worth having, mind you, when you read about some of the Luftwaffe etc. aircraft that were put into storage over here at the end of war, for future museum use, only to be scrapped in the late forties/early fifties you may well weep. The RAF Museum for example could have had a genuine Battle of Britain Me110C-5, or a Ju88A-5 from 1941. It’s also amazing how many aircraft just ‘disappear’, with no fate known, even the ones that came over here!

Geoff.

“War Prizes’ is indeed a book, and was published by Midland Counties. If you are serious about German a/c, it is an essential book to have. I still regret loaning my copy out! Grrr. It’s now out of print, so a secondhand book search is advised!

Hi Geoff,

Thank You very much for these Informations.
WN.0240 TK+CV should have belonged to the F.d.F. (Flugzeugstaffel des Führers) , but the Details are new for me. What happened to the Plane – scrapped ?
Is “War Prizes” by Phil Butler a Book / Publikation ?

I heard about the Registration GC+AE before, but was unable to assign it to a WN…

WN.0111 NT+BK is believed to be lost in Vaernes / N 23.08.42 (2./KG 40). But uncertain, if it was just damaged or a total loss.
Finally, I have no Idea about the auxillary Registration / Markings, have never heared about it.

Again : Thank You, Geoff !

Cheers Ken, all is ‘OK’ now

ex OK-DAM of DDL

OY-DAM 😉

The four Fw200s, AM94/WNr176, AM95/WNr unknown, AM96/WNr0111 & AM97/WNr0181 were all captured at Flensburg. AM94, AM96 & AM97 were all flown to the UK (Farnborough) VIA Schleswig.

Re AM95 – ‘It is believed to have been Fw200C-4/U-1 WNr 0240 coded TK+CV and ‘1’, which was Adolf Hitler’s own personal transport. Itwas not flown to the UK, presumably being found not servicable.’ (info from ‘War Prizes’ by Phil Butler (Midland Counties)

Re AM 94 – The same publication has it as being coded GC+AE & ‘4’. No mention of the codes you give. Noted in the scrap area at Farnborough on 15/12/46.

Re AM96 – note different WNr (0111) to that given by you.

I presume you are aware of Fw200 G-AGAY, ex WNr 2894, ex OY-DAM of DDL which was in the UK when Germany invaded Denmark. Eventually allocated to the ATA, after use by BOAC for long-distance international flights fell through, for multi-engine training as DX177. It was DBR 18/1/42 and scrapped.

Hope this helps.

Geoff.