Then and Now...and some airplanes

[JimH]

We recently went on a crew trip to Europe. Armed with websites like Thirdreichruins and a few others I set out to find some then and now scenes around Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Still working on a few shots. Not much has changed, and a lot of places were restored to their former glory.

Jim

Berlin Olympic Stadium 1936 and now



The siege of Saint Cyril Church after the assassination of Heydrich in Prague


Prague Square during the final days of the war


St Charles Bridge on the occasion of Heydrich's funeral procession in Prague


Amon Goeth's Villa in Krakow, the Camp is literally in the backyard


The ruins of the Anholter Banhoff just outside our hotel in Berlin


Herman Goering getting married at the Berlin Cathedral


The Hindenburg over flying the 36 Olympic Games


Berlin in the heyday


Hitler leaving the Luftwaffe Building

Last edited by JimH on Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JimH]

Starting in Berlin we visited the Technical Museum. This is one of the best Museums in Berlin. The entire scope of transportation is covered, not just airplanes.

He 162


Ju 88 and Me 109


Right wing from Lancaster JA914, lost during a raid on Berlin in 1943


Me 110


V-1, which made its way to England after the war. It was given to the Museum with a note..."return to sender", thought that was kinda funny


Stuka...would make a great project

[JimH]

Gatow...this was a training base during the late 30's and an RAF base post war...the hangars are original. There is a lot going on here...the FW 190 is coming along as well as a D-9 fuselage in a jig.

109/Hispano


FW being rebuilt


Komet


Replica DR1


DVII Replica

[dweller]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

[Chris Brame]

Thanks Jim - some of the then-and-now images were a bit chilling to see, especially the surviving Third Reich architecture. Is the Luftwaffe building still being used by the German air force?

(And OK, I'll admit I noticed that Goering and his wife have the same dress size... )

[JimH]

Next stop was Krakow...another interesting aviation museum. Lots of Cold war hardware on display. The real gems are airplanes that were part of the prewar German Aviation Museum in Berlin. Krakow is also home to Oskar Schindler's factory.

Jim

Me 109


Really nice Spit


Me 209...this deserves better treatment...it held the speed record until Daryl Greenamyer beat it in his Bearcat


P-39 instructional airframe...the wing, horizontal and vertical stab were on display


Fw 190 power unit on display, seems to be quite a few of these around


Fritz Wendel's office Me 209


Camel...built in 1918 it has atleast 11 confirmed victories before being downed behind German lines...worth a google history


Ernst Udet's Curtiss Hawk

[AG pilot]

Fabulous photos! Thanks so much for sharing with us.

[Pathfinder]

I'm not a PC-weenie....but curious about the swastikas displayed on the a/c in the Berlin museum. Isn't there a law? Or does that only apply to privately owned/operated warbirds and reproductions?

[JohnB]

I'm not a PC-weenie....but curious about the swastikas displayed on the a/c in the Berlin museum. Isn't there a law? Or does that only apply to privately owned/operated warbirds and reproductions?

I noticed that too, I believe there is an exception on displaying it for historic displays.
I too am bit surprised in a world where Chinese made plastic kits (aimed at adults, not the inexpensive beginner kits for kids) don't include them.
Glad to see the museums haven't gone too PC....

[DoraNineFan]

I'm not a PC-weenie....but curious about the swastikas displayed on the a/c in the Berlin museum. Isn't there a law? Or does that only apply to privately owned/operated warbirds and reproductions?

I believe the law allows display for educational purposes, i.e. museums.

[Rajay]

Starting in Berlin we visited the Technical Museum. This is one of the best Museums in Berlin. The entire scope of transportation is covered, not just airplanes.

V-1, which made its way to England after the war. It was given to the Museum with a note..."return to sender", thought that was kinda funny

"Kinda?" I think that's very FUNNY!

Thanks for a unique and very interesting thread...

[JimH]

Glad you guys like them! @Chris...here are a couple of Goering's uniforms from Gatow...before and after he started eating a lot




few more from Gatow
D-9


V-2 rail support


V-1 Launch Rail


Another view of the D-9

Last edited by JimH on Mon Nov 30, 2015 12:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[JimH]

Not really aviation related but still a major bit of WWII history. Oskar Schindler's factory in Krakow.



Interesting floor tile in the factory


Schindler's desk


Krakow Roland DVI


Antique Taube Replica...


need a Mig?


some of the dozens of vintage engines on display

[Pat Carry]

wow, incredible photos! thanks. I love the Then and Now format. I recently saw a bunch of Then and Now photos from D Day but I cant seem to locate them now. Very interesting Schindler related photos as well. thanks again

[JimH]

Some more then and now...not really airplane related. I am pretty sure the Luftwaffe building is now being used as Finance Offices. Very few of the Nazi era buildings survived. We did a trip to Germany 10 years ago and the tone has changed. Back then it was hard to find a tour guide that would talk about the war. Today, sites are well marked and history is presented as it was, not glorified, not denied, and professionally presented. The Fuhrerbunker, for example, was paved over and turned in to a parking lot for an apartment complex built on the site of the Reich Chancellery. Ten years ago you had to know where to go, today there is a large weather proof sign marking the spot with a brief history of events from 70 years ago.

Steve and Elaine reading the history board of the Fuhrerbunker. I apologize for the fuzzy photo...it was really dark



Hitler, in the 3rd story window of the Prague Palace


The Jewish Ghetto in Krakow after it was cleansed...luggage and personal items strewn everywhere


Parade through the Brandenburg Gate


Fritz Schilgen lights the Olympic Urn in 1936