Me 163B-1a FE-500 W Nr 191301 ![]() Powered by FreeWebsiteTranslation |
Photo at Freeman Field by Earl L. Ware, Base Photographer, Freeman Field, 1945-1946 |
Photo at Freeman Field by Earl L. Ware, Base Photographer, Freeman Field, 1945-1946 |
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at Freeman Field |
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at Freeman Field |
at Freeman Field |
at Freeman Field |
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at Freeman Field |
at Silver Hill in 1988 Alan Curry collection |
Source | Disposition |
War Prizes pg 217 |
It is possible that this Me 163B was the example air-freighted from Europe to the USA aboard a Douglas C-54, immediately after handover to Col Watson |
Steve Hawley | The aircraft was captured in Germany by "Watson's Whizzers" and apparently air-freighted by a Douglas C-54 to Freeman Field in the United States early in 1946 |
War Prizes pg 217 |
After arriving at Freeman Field and being refurbished there, this aircraft was air-freighted to Muroc (now Edwards AFB), California, in a Fairchild C-82 Packet on 12 April 1946. |
War Prizes pg 217 |
first attempted flight trial was made on 3 May 1946 |
War Prizes pg 217 |
The '163' then went to Norton AFB, California, where it was stored until being transferred to Silver Hill in 1954 |
Steve Hawley | The aircraft was stored at Norton Air Force Base in California before being shipped to Silver Hill in 1954, and more recently to Georgia. |
War Prizes pg 217 |
After years of storage, this aircraft is now on display with the National Air and Space Museum at the Silver Hill facility |
Wingspan | 9.32 m (30 ft. 6 1/8 in.) |
Length | 5.42 in. (17 ft. 9 3/8 in.) |
Weight | 1,905 kg (4,191 lb.) empty |
Freeman Field Komet Note: this page was previously named 'Wright Field Komet'. This was a preliminary name, since the location of this Komet's disassembly was either Wright Field or Freeman Field. Recent research has cleared up the issue, and experts agree it was Freeman Field. This Komet was formerly shown on the 'White 54' page. During its dismantling process at Freeman Field it was fitted with the tail of 'White 54', which led to predictable results. But after it was established that the tail of 'White 54' had also been fitted to 'White 42', suspicion rose about the identity of this aircraft. Soon it turned out it indeed was another Komet. The mottle camouflage was different, it had a pitot boom, it seemed to have MK 108 armament, and it had later type cooling slots in the rear fuselage. Unfortunately no information on the identity of this Komet is known; no Werknummer, Stammkennzeichen or code is known. Therefore it will be simply identified as the 'Freeman Field Komet'. Germany, 1945Thanks to David E. Brown of Experten Decals, we can now trace back the 'Freeman Field Komet' to Germany! It is seen here being loaded aboard a C-46 Commando, possibly for direct transportation to the USA. Note that the location appears to be the very same hangar apron as seen in the seven Komets on trucks photo. That would make Merseburg a likely location for this photo. Husum is another possibility. Freeman FieldThe following set of photos give a good impression of a late-series Komet, including its camouflage and markings. The disassembly took place at Freeman Field, where a number of German aircraft were collected and studied. A page dedicated to Freeman Army Air Field, part of James West's extensive Indiana Military Organization web site, shows a large number of photos of these aircraft. Don't forget to check the photos at the end of the 'Captured aircraft' page. |
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believed to be at Freeman Field |
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believed to be at Freeman Field |
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believed to be at Freeman Field |
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Russian Version |
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