Can anyone help with this project???
Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:41 pm
I recieved this request from a friend this morning. Is there anyone interested and able to help with photos and information for this rare aircraft?
I work with the Canadian War Museum in my spare time (the little that there is) and I have been tasked with the restoration of a very rare Feisler Fi-103 IV Reichenberg ( a piloted version of the V1).
I have been researching this machine for quite some time only to find that there is very little available on this machine. The internet has be scoured and picked clean of all useful pictures and information and I have been in contact with several people in Germany and England looking for assistance. Unfortunately a couple of people in Germany who possess all the information I require are only willing to share it if they are given a contract to restore our machine. Given the huge cost involved, this is something that just isn't going to happen.
As a result, I am having to reconstruct an entire cockpit, a nose section and a set of wings from a handful of old and a few new photographs. I an missing a lot of detail, needless to say, however there is one avenue that would be of immense help.
Paul Allen has a Reichenberg in his collection that is on display in Washington. With your WIX contacts, is there anyone who might be persuaded to drop by his collection and take photographs of his example for me? Detail shots of the wings (ailerons and hinges especially), rudder, nose section and well, basically the whole machine would let me reverse engineer a lot of stuff that's required. I don't think cockpit shots are allowed, but in the off chance they are or could be arranged, then I would obviously be quite pleased to receive them. I can't have enough shots of the machine as it's the details that count here. I will pay for the cost of copying the pics to a cd and for the shipping if required
I work with the Canadian War Museum in my spare time (the little that there is) and I have been tasked with the restoration of a very rare Feisler Fi-103 IV Reichenberg ( a piloted version of the V1).
I have been researching this machine for quite some time only to find that there is very little available on this machine. The internet has be scoured and picked clean of all useful pictures and information and I have been in contact with several people in Germany and England looking for assistance. Unfortunately a couple of people in Germany who possess all the information I require are only willing to share it if they are given a contract to restore our machine. Given the huge cost involved, this is something that just isn't going to happen.
As a result, I am having to reconstruct an entire cockpit, a nose section and a set of wings from a handful of old and a few new photographs. I an missing a lot of detail, needless to say, however there is one avenue that would be of immense help.
Paul Allen has a Reichenberg in his collection that is on display in Washington. With your WIX contacts, is there anyone who might be persuaded to drop by his collection and take photographs of his example for me? Detail shots of the wings (ailerons and hinges especially), rudder, nose section and well, basically the whole machine would let me reverse engineer a lot of stuff that's required. I don't think cockpit shots are allowed, but in the off chance they are or could be arranged, then I would obviously be quite pleased to receive them. I can't have enough shots of the machine as it's the details that count here. I will pay for the cost of copying the pics to a cd and for the shipping if required
Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:09 pm
I'm not sure when i'll be getting up there again but i'd be glad to take some shots when I do.
This is all i've got for now.
This is all i've got for now.
Thanks Al!
Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:44 pm
Excellent pictures. Is it ok to pass thee along to him? The one of the cockpit is interesting!
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:02 pm
I'll give NASM a call and see what they have in archives.
Regards,
Mike
Regards,
Mike
NASM
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:08 pm
Thanks Mike.
My firend wants to make sure that the restoration of the only example in this country is done as accurately as possible.
My firend wants to make sure that the restoration of the only example in this country is done as accurately as possible.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:17 pm
I am sure you have already tried but in case you haven't send in a request to national Air and Space Museum's Archives division in Suitland Maryland. Larry is an awesome person there who is more than helpful.
I also found good information at the National Archives and Record Administration in College Park, Maryland but this usually takes severe digging and the time to do so.
While doing research for FHC I found volumes of good information on German aircraft. I was researching Jumo, DB engines and ME-262, FW-190 airframe as the Reichenberg was not in the collection at the time thus I cannot specifically state whether they will have Fi-103 documents.
Good luck,
Taigh
I also found good information at the National Archives and Record Administration in College Park, Maryland but this usually takes severe digging and the time to do so.
While doing research for FHC I found volumes of good information on German aircraft. I was researching Jumo, DB engines and ME-262, FW-190 airframe as the Reichenberg was not in the collection at the time thus I cannot specifically state whether they will have Fi-103 documents.
Good luck,
Taigh
Thanks Taigh
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:32 pm
I have passed that along...
Re: Thanks Al!
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:40 pm
peter wrote:Excellent pictures. Is it ok to pass thee along to him? The one of the cockpit is interesting!
Go right ahead.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:50 pm
mike furline wrote:I'll give NASM a call and see what they have in archives.
Regards,
Mike
I called the Archives at the Paul Garber Facility, unfortunately they only have one Fi-103 document, it deals with towing a Fi-103 behind an Ar-234 trying to extend it's range.
I was planing a trip to NARA, I'll keep you in mind and have a look when there.
I do have quite a few photo's that I could send if you give me thier e-mail address.
Regards,
Mike
Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:57 pm
Do you need his email address Mike? He is a stickler for detail and wants to make sure the restoration is done accurately and correctly!
Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:02 pm
peter wrote:Do you need his email address Mike? He is a stickler for detail and wants to make sure the restoration is done accurately and correctly!
I'll e-mail the pics to whomever wants them. They're pics I've found over the years, not sure if they will help or not.
Regards,
Mike
Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:45 pm
Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:08 pm
Isn't this the same thing? It's hanging from the ceiling at the Olympic Air Museum in Olympia Washington.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:52 pm
spookythecat wrote:I'm not sure when i'll be getting up there again but i'd be glad to take some shots when I do.
This is all i've got for now.
Not to derail this thread, but what airplane is that shiney wing off of in this picture?
It looks reminiscent of a B-17.
Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:27 pm
Peter,
Have you tried to contact FHC or Vulcan (Paul Allen's Co, that runs the FHC)?
They might be able to direct you to the information used in the restoration of their example.
Have you tried to contact FHC or Vulcan (Paul Allen's Co, that runs the FHC)?
They might be able to direct you to the information used in the restoration of their example.