Whereabouts in England of Me 262 WN 130186 Heimatschuetzer I

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'clock High!:

James Thorne
ME 262 V 186 Heimatschutzjaeger
Tue May 5 18:20:47 1998


I heard once that part of the ME 262 V l86 (Werk Nummer 130186) was held in storage by the Imperial War Museum. This was the 262 with rocket assist, said to have been used in combat by Heinz Baer. If anyone knows of its whereabouts or final disposition I would appreciate hearing from you. Thank You.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Dave Wadman
Me 262 Heimatschutz
Tue May 5 19:54:12 1998


James,
Although rocket motors aren't really in my sphere of interest I have a little bit of information about this particular aircraft which may or may not be of use.

At the end of the war, the rear fuselage section with its HWK rocket motor was taken to Farnborough for examination at the RAE. It is quite possible that the rear fuselage (or at least the HWK motor - after the examinations/tests were completed) is or was held by either the IWM or the Science Museum who have a number of engines/rocket motors either on display or in storage.
If this particular motor still exists but is not on display it could be held in storage at any of the following UK locations:
IWM, Science Museum, RAF Museum, RAF Cosford, RAF St.Athan,
Duxford, Cosford, Cranfield or similar location.

Hope this helps

Regards
Dave

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

James Thorne
Me262 Heimatschutzjaeger
Tue May 5 23:10:49 1998


Thanks, Dave, for the info. Does the IWM or the other institutes you mentioned have websites or e-mail addresses? And do they respond to e-mails? It has always amazed me how little museum curators know about their inventory. If the rear section of V 186 still exists, where is the most likely repository and who would know? Thanks for your efforts.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Dave Wadman
Me 262 Heimatschutz
Wed May 6 16:02:27 1998


James,

IIRC the IWM has a web page but I'll have to dig around for the address for you. AFAIK, the others do not have web access or email (but I could be wrong).

If I had to guess where the motor/rear fuselage are located (if indeed, they still exist!) I would say possibly Cranfield, Duxford or St.Athan. I was at Cosford in November but didn't see or hear of it (actually I was too interested in looking at everything else!!)
I will contact one of my UK colleagues to see if he might have further info for you.
Dave

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Hans McIlveen
Re: Me262 Heimatschutzjaeger
Fri May 8 13:51:05 1998


IWM: http://www.iwm.org.uk/index.htm
Science Museum: http://www.nmsi.ac.uk/
RAF St.Athan: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/st_athan/

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Tony Price
ME263 V186
Wed May 6 14:54:04 1998


Re Rocket assisted 262.

1) I've yet to find a web page for IWM (any of their sites)

2) 1 would suspect that the 262 would be at Cosford, as this is where most of that type of technology is displayed. I can't confirm as I haven't visited yet. However I have been to IWM in London and Duxford (last Sunday for 60 yrs of Spitfire in RAF service!!) and didn't see any 262's

Tony

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Peter James
Me262
Tue May 19 06:10:56 1998

The only Me262 in the country is at RAF Cosford. This is an ex KG51 aircraft. The exterior has been repainted many times, but the cockpit is original, although several instruments are missing. This museum is well worth a visit, as they have a Me410 as well. Also a Ki46 & Ki100 for us Japanese fans.


[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 20 July 2000).]