WW2 German Aircraft Restorations

Easy to say in hindsight. After what the world had just been through saving these engines, etc. for posterity was probably the last thing on the authorities minds.

I’m aware of the situation around 1945 😀

The idea was total disarmament. Including tents, phones, timber and everything else, that the armed forces was using.

The Danish army managed to kling on to a few canons. The Norwegians got a few aircraft (transport).

Besides that, as always, a number of items flowed into the black market, but mostly petrol, oil, grease, tires, tubes and building materials. As mentioned, I’m sure a number of aviation items also “dissapeared”. Hopefully someone will find a horde of engines in his/her grandfathers celler one day.

The victors might also have had things they wanted to sell, even if that wasn’t a top priority.

there is another thread running on FW-190 – so sorry to say the same thing twice but :

Turkey had some FW-190’s in service, all scrapped? then again, the French had some as well as Russia – I’d say Russia is the best global bet to find something usable?

They should have found alternative use for them (the engines), rather then destroying them.

Easy to say in hindsight. After what the world had just been through saving these engines, etc. for posterity was probably the last thing on the authorities minds.

More specific RAF disarmament wing destroyed (although some were kept for test, later museum, purpose):

Fw 190 = 978.

Bf 109 = 897.

Various twin fighter bombers = 906.

Various aircraft instruments = 145897.

Aircraft guns/cannons = 36211.

Talk about a time machine…………

NOTE: The above was just north Europe, I do not have the numbers for other parts of the world.

RAF Disarmament wing processed plenty of engines in 1945/46.

Piston engines = 13058.

Jet engines = 288.

Propellers = 2857.

Engine parts = 2835 ton.

Add 4810 complete aircraft and 391 airframes.

Oh for a time machine!:D

RAF Disarmament wing processed plenty of engines in 1945/46.

Piston engines = 13058.

Jet engines = 288.

Propellers = 2857.

Engine parts = 2835 ton.

Add 4810 complete aircraft and 391 airframes.

They should have found alternative use for them (the engines), rather then destroying them. Then we would have had the chance of finding some in old factories, or other places where powerfull piston engines could have been usefull.

My guess is, that some did find their way into civilian use and are still waiting to be found, but not many.

The majority of the internal bits such as instruments, pumps and so on are relatively straightforward. As David says, there are few good airframes to start with.

Bruce

Hi Peter

There are probably several factors:

I guess the “easier types” (and I use this term with all the respect it deserves) to rebuild to flying condition, such as the merlin powered Buchon fighter, and CASA 111 bombers have been to a certain extent.

The next level of complexity comes with restoring the german engined originals. There are a lot less engines and spares around for starters, compared with merlins and allisons for example. Craig Charleston for example has managed to produce some exceptional BF.109’s so far, and two other teams are progressing on Fw.190’s. An Fw189 and ME.262 are progressing also.

The bigger types like the Me.110, JU88, He111, and Stuka have always lacked in having minimal “starter” airframes to begin with. Some exceptional statics have been assembled, but maybe it is their missing systems or scarce original engines are the key factors, notwithstanding the cost involved.

Flug Werk have done a good line in reproduction FW.190’s, with similar engines, and maybe this is the way forward for other types, but it always comes down to cost and small production runs to make them more affordable. Would you be able to sell 5 JU88’s?

Hmm.. ok thanks Bruce, That would explain it then..

Is it due to parts being unobtainable or??

Engines…..

Bruce