Wright Field 1945 Victory Display color photos

[Capt. Vick]

Is the nose art "Nerve Stealer" on the 162 actually Luftwaffe applied or post capture like "Allies Kaputt" on the 290. Anybody know for certain?

 

[nuuumannn]

From my limited resources, I think it was original to the aircraft. This from War Prizes by Phil Butler: "The He 162 is currently in the Planes of Fame Museum, Chino Airfield, California, which is the present location of Ed Maloney's museum. It is marked as 'Red 1' of JG 1. with the nickname 'Nervenklau', both original markings. 'Nervenklau' was the nickname of the Heinkel's pilot, Lt Gerhard Hanf."

I'm sure "Alles Kaputt" was an original Luftwaffe nickname?! It's got so much meaning!

In that picture that Dave posted of T2-493 as White 4, you can see a P-61 on jacks in the background.

 

[javlin]

Cool thread!

 

[Capt. Vick]

Yes, the 290 nose art was applied after capture.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Found this on Youtube, but it says it was taken in 1945, though I think that might be wrong...

Airshow 1945 with Captured Nazi World War II Planes (stabilized)


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXCZLSih9DY

 

[T Bolt]

What an amazing video! Don't you just which you could go to an airshow like that!

 

[Capt. Vick]

HELL YEAH!

 

[blueskies]

Now for the Axis aircraft...

Mitsubishi A6M5
View attachment 280106

View attachment 280107

What is up with the cowling on this zero?

I don't think I've ever seen a carb intake like that before.

 

[Wurger]

There is nothing wrong with the engine cowling methinks.

 

[GrauGeist]

What is up with the cowling on this zero?

I don't think I've ever seen a carb intake like that before.

I hadn't really paid attention until now, but there actually is something odd about this cowling.

It certainly is not like other A6M5 cowls and at first I thought it might be an A6M8, but the inlet and ducting is different.

 

[Wurger]

Is that really the inlet and ducting at the top od the engine cowling? I would say it is a part of anti-glare strip and either the light reflection at the sillver skillet of the top MG or a kind of its filling of the white colour.

 

[GrauGeist]

Is that really the inlet and ducting at the top od the engine cowling? I would say it is a part of anti-glare strip and either the light reflection at the sillver skillet of the top MG or a kind of its filling of the white colour.

I considered the anti-glare paint creating an optical illusion, too...but when looking closely at verified A6M5 cowls, there is a noticeable difference.

I also considered an illusion created by the MG ports and this also was ruled out by close inspection of both painted and unpainted cowls.

 

[Wurger]

Here is an image of the kite while ( still ?) wearing the Japanese insignia. I have enlarged the shot a little bit. IMHO there wasn't any air duct at the top.

 

[Shinpachi]

There are a pair of patches on both sides of the inlet but invisible when painted in black.
The photo looks normal to me like Wojtek too.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Yeah, I don't see a difference...