Warbird Information Exchange

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

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Cheers,
Peter

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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.

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-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

Excellent pictures. Is it ok to pass thee along to him? The one of the cockpit is interesting!

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Cheers,
Peter

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I'll give NASM a call and see what they have in archives.

Regards,
Mike

Thanks Mike.
My firend wants to make sure that the restoration of the only example in this country is done as accurately as possible.

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Cheers,
Peter

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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

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To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

I have passed that along...

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Cheers,
Peter

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Go right ahead.

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-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

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

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!

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Cheers,
Peter

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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

Ok Mike, can you email them to me and I will pass them on?
pwhitfield@hotmail.com
Many thanks!

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Cheers,
Peter

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Isn't this the same thing? It's hanging from the ceiling at the Olympic Air Museum in Olympia Washington.

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The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.

Not to derail this thread, but what airplane is that shiney wing off of in this picture?

It looks reminiscent of a B-17.

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.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."