Warbird Information Exchange

Hi guys,

was wondering about, for a long time, what captured Luftwaffe aircraft were transported to the US and Britain aboard vessels such as the HMS Reaper during the the aircraft recovery effort after the war. How many planes and what type were "spirited away" after the war. And if anyone know, what types were brought back and their eventual disposition. I am fairly sure that one or two of those aircraft were the Dornier Do-335 and the Arado Ar-235 (?) jet bomber. Both of those planes are part of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum collection, but what else was brought over here for aerodynamic study and what happened to the bulk of the planes after their useful "study" life was over.

I don't have the book about all of this and if someone knows of such a book....could you point me to it ? Or, if any of you historians out there can give me some insight it would be a good thing and you have my personal Thanks for your efforts.

Respectfully,

Paul

Google "Watsons Whizzers" and it has an on line book about the mission. There is also a hardback available on the subject.

Thanks Obergrafeter,

I'll do that....thanks for the reply.

Paul

The famous "Yellow 10" was also aboard the Reaper, together with other Fw 190/Ta 152's.

Paul: The definitive book on the subject is "American Raiders" by Wolfgang Samuel. Did you know Watson flew a Ju-290 to Dayton from France in July of 44. Amazing that we destroyed it once here.
Ober

Phil Butlers 'War Prizes' covers all the surviving aircraft. There is a pictorial version of the original book about to be released.

Dave

Forgive me if this has been covered.

Unbelievably one of these captured nazi aircraft's remains has been rumored to be buried in the US. Rumor has it that it is still there, crashed parts and all. Surprising that no one has ever checked this rumor out, but might be because of delicate location (working international airport).

How many Watson Whizzers still exist, aircraft and test pilots?

They have, search google for 'Freeman Field dig'

Dave

Oops, July of 1945. It was a planned non stop flight, but east winds forced them to refuel in Bermuda.