Luftwaffe FW190 Discovered In Forest Near St Petersburg
Caption:
Added: Jan 22 2009
Previously unexplored forest
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Pat Dollard | Young Americans
Prepare to have your opinion of this war changed forever.
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- January 22nd, 2009
- 13 Responses
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My first reaction when I the headline, “Oh my gawd, you’ve got to be kidding me….HOLY SHIT!” Yes really.
Why?
Cos Ladies and Gentleman, that is the “Holy Grail” of WW2 War Birds, cos there’s simply none of them left to restore and none are flying.
I believe the Smithsonian Museum has, in their basement, what amounts to remnants of one and are trying to build one from it, but it will never fly.
This one discovered in Russia is 100% restorable to original flying condition.
The ones you may see some flying around right now, they are 3/4 scale replicas.
Even in this economy, that wreck, as is, will sell for millions.
You betcha.
Whoops
“My first reaction when I ‘read’ the headline…”
A great find. I do not think any are flying. Unless that one being built new from original drawings in Chino, CA is finished, which would still be just a very good replica.
Looks to be in very good condition.
Everyone has an opinion on what was the best aircraft of WW-II. I have always been a fan of the FW-190 and the P-47 Jug. Although the FW-190 was built in lesser numbers it is my opinion that it was the best aircraft the Germans had … sophisticated, powerful (especially with Nitrous) and a lethal weapon in the hands of a skilled pilot.
The big radial engine provided a modicum of protection from head-on attacks and it climbed and turned beautifully. When I had the chance to talk with Francis “Gabby” Gabreski (US Ace with 28 confirmed victories in WW-II and 5 in Korea) he confirmed that the FW-190 was the biggest air-to-air threat he faced.
Most Americans believe the Bf-109 or P-51 were the best we had but those big radials provided plenty of power and lots of mass to stop incoming rounds.
Here’s hoping they get it to a refurbishing shop that can do it justice. Smithsonian is on but the boys in Dayton (AF Museum) are no slouches either.
Hopefully it will either get in private hands or to Duxford so that it will be restored to flying and actually roar through the sky again. The smith and AFM are great collections, but airplanes that never fly again are sad “lifeless” things.
There are quite a few WWII aircraft collectors and restoration projects going on. This is a great find. No doubt, a collector is already bidding on buying the aircraft.
Wow…I’m just now reading Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (Hitler is just fucking up his troops with his bad decisions in the war against Russia).
Hard to believe that thing is in that kinda shape in Russia 60+ years later.
So sexy… “The Butcher Bird” as it was called.
First production combat aircraft with auto trim.
Fast, lethal as all hell and an evolution in aircraft where turn rate and clime were falling to the wayside for roll rate, firepower and a powerful engine to hit and climb away to safety.
Very, Very Sexy.
You guys may want to check out http://www.white1foundation.org/ and http://www.flugwerk.de/diary.shtm . There are a few examples of the FW 190 being restored for flight and full scale replicas being produced.
My uncle, who flew a P-38 and a P-51, told me that he preferred the P-38 but the long range of the P-51 is what made it the darling. Both were named “Sassy Baby” with typical long legged blonds nose art. In the European Theatre, his squadron was always in the most forward grassy field type base providing close ground support and enemy supply disruption. Mostly diving and strafing type combat.
On a different note, when I lived in Houston, our company pilot (twin engine Cessna) was part of a three party ownership of a B-17. It was kept in Houston until restoration was completed then moved to Harlingen, TX as part of the Confederate Air Force. Most of those WWII bird restoration and operation efforts were funded by British Industrialists.
My screen name is a tribute to my alma mater (Air Force Institute of Technology) located at Wright Patterson AFB OH — also the home of the AF Museum. What a great place for a lover of aircraft! That the museum had (even in 1985-1986 when I was there) an extraordinary collection of aircraft including Columbine 1 (Harry Truman’s version of AF1) and the sole remaining XB-70 Valkyrie. Not to mention an exhaustive collection of war birds from WW-I, WW-II, Korea, and Viet Nam
Anyone passing through Dayton needs to set aside a few hours for a quick visit… those more into aircraft should spend longer as there is a lot to see. National Air and Space in DC is also pretty good but if you wander off the beaten path and are near Oshkosh, the EAA Museum there is superb! I was working at the Post Office (contractor) there one day when what did my eyes behold? A B-17 (Aluminum Overcast) headed out for a quick flight! Also saw a primo Corsair.
*dropped jaw* that was AWESOME