ME-262 Willow Grove
Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:00 am
Visited Delaware Valley Historic Aircraft Association yesterday.
The 2 seat ME-262b-1a that was used as reference for all the Stormbird
262 aircraft is in their museum. It's a nice little place just outside the
gate at Willow Grove NAS.
I heard they had to get the ME-262 inside or it was going to go to
Pensacola as it still belongs to the Navy.
Other photos of their outside aircraft can be seen "here".
Bill
The 2 seat ME-262b-1a that was used as reference for all the Stormbird
262 aircraft is in their museum. It's a nice little place just outside the
gate at Willow Grove NAS.
I heard they had to get the ME-262 inside or it was going to go to
Pensacola as it still belongs to the Navy.
Other photos of their outside aircraft can be seen "here".
Bill
Last edited by wls3 on Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:09 am
Cool shots, Thanks. I can't wait to get down to see the Me-262. Looks great
Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:22 am
Nice! It definately belongs inside after all the work that went into it!
Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:17 pm
Sweet pic and it looks like they did an amazing job restoring her. Still, as much as I love the Me-262, I just don't like the looks of the two-seater for some reason... can't really put my finger on exactly why, though. I suppose you could say it's kind of like a slightly uglier sister of a super-model, LOL!
As for giving her a nice place to roost indoors, I am stupefied as to why such a rare aircraft was ever diplayed outdoors for any length of time to begin with, especially after the efforts taken to restore her.
As for giving her a nice place to roost indoors, I am stupefied as to why such a rare aircraft was ever diplayed outdoors for any length of time to begin with, especially after the efforts taken to restore her.
Thu Jan 06, 2005 3:57 pm
This ME-262 was built in 1944 and is only 1 of 15, 2 seat dual control a/c built for Luftwaffe.
But, yes, have to agree, single seat version looks a lot nicer to me also.
Can't wait to see and hear one back in the sky.
Bill
Also, Scott, feel free to "snag" photos taken "here" of other aircraft at Willow Grove
for your 1946-1960s collection.
My favorite is the Sea Dart. Looks like a Jet ski on steroids.
But, yes, have to agree, single seat version looks a lot nicer to me also.
Can't wait to see and hear one back in the sky.
Bill
Also, Scott, feel free to "snag" photos taken "here" of other aircraft at Willow Grove
for your 1946-1960s collection.
My favorite is the Sea Dart. Looks like a Jet ski on steroids.
Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:00 pm
Locobuster wrote:Sweet pic and it looks like they did an amazing job restoring her. Still, as much as I love the Me-262, I just don't like the looks of the two-seater for some reason... can't really put my finger on exactly why, though. I suppose you could say it's kind of like a slightly uglier sister of a super-model, LOL!
Heh, I agree, its sort of hunchbacked.
Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:22 pm
I live about 20 minutes from the little museum, they've got a nice collection, but yes, that 262 is the jewel (and yes i agree about the 1 seater looking nicer, but hey who can complain having a 262 close to their house!) I've talked with the main currator there a few times (even gave him the wix site address and told him he should join up!).
Here's part of the story from what i remember last time i talk to him. Basically he said that yes, the navy wanted the 262 inside or they were taking it back (also this is all after the restoration, before it was restored there was just no where to put it and the navy let it sit there at willow grove). They gave him a short amount of time to reach this goal, and through a lot of will and help, they were able to raise the money to build the 'museum.' The navy, he took it, didn't think he would be able to pull it all off, and they were surprised and a bit upset, i guess that he did, and so now they are giving him more $h!+ about that the inside of the museum has to be kept at a certain tempreature and all these other rediculous previsions all to try to take it back. I don't know the agreement or how these agreements work, but apparently they just can't take it back, there needs to be some steps invovled, including I assume the museum not meeting the navy's standards. I'll probably run into the curator again soon, as a model club I sometimes attend meets there every month.
Also, interesting side note, but he said he really had to fight with the navy about the restoration and what was done to the plane. Apparently he fought for them not to make short cuts as the navy really wanted to. The only bogus thing on it right now is a set of tractor tires as the back landing gear.
any other questions or anything, let me know, i can run up there pretty within a day or two.
brian
Here's part of the story from what i remember last time i talk to him. Basically he said that yes, the navy wanted the 262 inside or they were taking it back (also this is all after the restoration, before it was restored there was just no where to put it and the navy let it sit there at willow grove). They gave him a short amount of time to reach this goal, and through a lot of will and help, they were able to raise the money to build the 'museum.' The navy, he took it, didn't think he would be able to pull it all off, and they were surprised and a bit upset, i guess that he did, and so now they are giving him more $h!+ about that the inside of the museum has to be kept at a certain tempreature and all these other rediculous previsions all to try to take it back. I don't know the agreement or how these agreements work, but apparently they just can't take it back, there needs to be some steps invovled, including I assume the museum not meeting the navy's standards. I'll probably run into the curator again soon, as a model club I sometimes attend meets there every month.
Also, interesting side note, but he said he really had to fight with the navy about the restoration and what was done to the plane. Apparently he fought for them not to make short cuts as the navy really wanted to. The only bogus thing on it right now is a set of tractor tires as the back landing gear.
any other questions or anything, let me know, i can run up there pretty within a day or two.
brian
Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:52 am
Now if someone would only build new-production A4M Sky Hawk's, F9F-2 Panther's, J-4B Fury's, and Convair YF-2Y Sea Darts, maybe they could get the rest of those planes under cover! 
Nice shot.
Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:07 am
She is nice and beautifil like her new sister off spring 
, Thank's so much for sharing it with us mate 
.
The 2 seater served a purpose and was quiet useful, but I too think the 262's sleek line's are changed some what by it's hunch back look
.
Her new born sister's creation has been a major dream of mine since I was about 12 year's old, When I asked my father where could I go to to a Me-262 fly
, To be told None fly anymore, and never will again 
.
I even asked at that age, how come no one build's more as so many were made year's back
, and now we are smarter then back then 
.
To be told the same thing no sorry it will never happen, never ever .
Well it darn it, it's happenning , THAT dream's is here NOW .
People are building plane's I was told would never see the light of day again .
Extinct forever only living on in old timer's memory's or picture's, or if lucky dead bird's now in museum's .
Yes they are nice to look at
, but just that static word doe's not say's it all, it should be stagnate .
Rock on live 262's
, hopefully " Tango Tango " will breeze through the program, and be finished sooner then her first born sister was with what was learnt while building her and snag's already sorted 
.
Then Gent's sometime this year, If it all pan's out ok .
The world will see again a single seat 262 flying, A much more potent sleeker sexy looking aircraft then her slightly older sister .
Cheer's all far and wide
, Tally Ho! 
Phil in Oz 
.(p.s. your place still rock's too Scott , Happy New year Mate .)
, Thank's so much for sharing it with us mate .
The 2 seater served a purpose and was quiet useful, but I too think the 262's sleek line's are changed some what by it's hunch back look
.
Her new born sister's creation has been a major dream of mine since I was about 12 year's old, When I asked my father where could I go to to a Me-262 fly
, To be told None fly anymore, and never will again .
I even asked at that age, how come no one build's more as so many were made year's back
, and now we are smarter then back then .
To be told the same thing no sorry it will never happen, never ever
.
Well it darn it, it's happenning
, THAT dream's is here NOW .
People are building plane's I was told would never see the light of day again
.
Extinct forever only living on in old timer's memory's or picture's, or if lucky dead bird's now in museum's
.
Yes they are nice to look at
, but just that static word doe's not say's it all, it should be stagnate .
Rock on live 262's
, hopefully " Tango Tango " will breeze through the program, and be finished sooner then her first born sister was with what was learnt while building her and snag's already sorted .
Then Gent's sometime this year, If it all pan's out ok
.
The world will see again a single seat 262 flying, A much more potent sleeker sexy looking aircraft then her slightly older sister
.
Cheer's all far and wide
, Tally Ho! Phil in Oz .(p.s. your place still rock's too Scott , Happy New year Mate .)