Warbird Information Exchange

I was looking through my Warbirds Directory Vol.3 this morning, and came across a curious listing for a Me-262 survivor. The listing said that the aircraft was being rebuilt by/for Don Knapp (to fly presumably). No Wk.Nr. was listed.

Since WD3 is so old now, and I believe Don Knapp died some time ago in a crash, does anyone know the details about this "supposed" survivor. The only Me-262's I am aware of are the following...

Wk.Nr. 500491 - at NASM, USA
FE-4012 - w/ Paul Allen, UK
BuNo: 121442 - USAFM, USA
Wk.Nr. 112372 - RAF Cosford, UK
Wk.Nr. 500071 - Deutsches Museum, Germany
Wk.Nr. 110305 - Saxonwold, SA
plus 2 Avia assembled examples... both still in Czech Republic

.... so is this a survivor, or just a few bits that once were a -262, and what happened to it? Anyone have any ideas?

Cheers,
Richard

How about # 110639 at Willow Grove?

112372 is now at Hendon, not Cosford.

There is also an example in the Australian War Memorial (500200)

Richard

Tried to tack down the Knapp aircraft a few years ago, but dead end...I would say if anything it may have been small parts...although there are one or two of the jets unaccounted for........maybe .......oneday......in a dusty old crate.......

Dave

Thanks Dave... it is a very curious story indeed.

... forgot about the Aussie, and Philly -262's!

Cheers,
Richard

I heard a rumor that the Ex Ed Maloney now Paul Allen 262 was the one that was being rebuilt to fly.Maybe I was halucinating,I dont know. Tim

_________________
"WHAT ME WORRY?"

That is what I was told in January 2005 when I visited the FHC. When I mentioned it to another organization familiar with the Me-262 they didn't believe me at first. Apparently the jets were only good for about 200 hours before needing an overhaul.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
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Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
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And reportedly having 4 engines re-manufactured using current-technology materials for the turbine blades.

$$$$

This is a different air frame to the one I was referring to. Yes, the former POF Me-262 is being restored to fly... in the UK, I believe.

Cheers,
Richard

Hi Everybody,
My Name is Erik Knapp. The Don Knapp that died in the P51 Mustang was my father. My mother and father got divorced when I was a boy and I was raised by my mother. We just found out in 2003 that he died. Since then I have been trying to get more information about my father. If any of you were his friend and have any pictures of him or his planes or stories that you would like to share with me and my brothers we would appreciate it if you could call me @ 732-616-7427 and ask for Erik or e-mail me your name & phone # and I will call you. My e-mail is blueclaw1@netzero.net. I am now a grown man with 2 boys who never met their grandfather and I would like to show them some pictures of him. I will be glad to pay for any pictures that you have of him. Thanks in advance for any and all information.

I saw the Junkers Jumo engines that are being rebuilt last Friday. REMARKABLE ! The original compressors will be reused. They look brand new and the quality the Germans were able to achieve during the wartime conditions is nothing short of amazing.

One of the big things they are doing is replacing the hollow steel turbine blades with new cast blades. New turbine wheels have already been manufactured. Combuster cans have been repaired.

It's all very impressive.