Rajay wrote:
(no date of Mfg. specified; CoR issued Dec. 15, 2000) MESSERSCHMITT ME-262-A s/n T-2-4012
VULCAN WARBIRDS INC
505 5TH AVE S STE 900
SEATTLE, WA 98104-3821
I assume that this second one is the "real" (aka original/survivor) mentioned in Wikipedia as:
"Me 262 A-1a/U3 W.Nr. ("Werk Number" aka serial no.) 500453
Flying Heritage Collection, Everett, Washington, USA, currently in England undergoing restoration to flying condition.
It is intended to fly using its original Jumo 004 engines. The aircraft was bought from The Planes of Fame, Chino, California."
Am I correct in that assumption? Can anyone else confirm it? If so, apparently there is a bit of a conflict regarding its proper serial number.
Rajay, this is the one that belongs to Paul Allen. Its not in England, unless its gone there in the last two or three months, and I've never heard of a serial number conflict but I wouldn't be surprised if you came up with one.
Rajay wrote:
Note too for all of you who believe that all B-17's are "Boeings" and all Wildcats and Avengers are "Grummans" that all ME-262's are NOT "Messerschmitts". These newer, essentially "license-built" copies are officially and properly identified on the basis of who actually "built" them, not by who originally designed and/or built them in the past.
The first time somebody says, "hey did you see Jerry Yagen's Legend Flyers ME-262 is up for sale?" I'm sure somebody will call you. Are you sure the airplane should even be called an "ME"? Maybe it should truthfully and more accurately be identified as the LF-262.
Rajay wrote:
That is in spite of the fact that the newer "reproductions" were considered to be so accurate (with the exception of the use of more modern ad reliable GE J85 engines) that the Messerschmitt Foundation in Germany granted the builders permission to use serial numbers consecutive to the last ones used during the original production in Germany.
I've never heard that in regards to the 262's. I have heard it in regards to the Flug Work FW-190s (that were no more accurate in their reporduction than basic appearance and the tail wheel assembly)