Info needed on Fw Doras

[Stonar]

not quite as improbable though as Crandall's all-red Ta 152 ...

not quite as improbable though as Crandall's all-red Ta 152 ...

I know that you are aware that Mr Crandall's evidence for the red/orange Ta 152 is the recollections (and signed 2001 statement) of Obslt. Auffhammer and Hptm. Cescotti, one stating that he flew it, the other that he escorted it. How much weight one gives to that evidence, or to Reschke's rebuttal, is up to the individual. Given the more than superficial resemblance of the Ta 152 to a Fw 190 D, viewed at any distance, it does seem an elaborate precaution, but who knows?

I just can't see a yellow rudder on the numerous photographs of Nibel's aircraft, nor is it mentioned in any allied report. The then unusual camouflage colours ("the upper surfaces of the wings are rather brighter green than as usual with German aircraft") do get a mention. Being the first virtually intact D-9 to fall into our hands it generated considerable interest and was much measured and described.

Cheers

Steve

[FalkeEins]

for the OP here's a link to all the Fw 190 Dora posts on FalkeEins - the Luftwaffe blog

http://falkeeins.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Fw%20190%20Dora

and my Fw 190 Dora/Ta 152 "Aircraft in Profile" feature appeared in Scale Aircraft Modelling Vol 27 no 2

[Jerry Crandall]

Both Oberstleutnant Auffhammer and Generalmajor a.D. Roderich Cescotti were highly regarded officers and command pilots and had no reason to make up a story regarding the short flight of the orange-red Ta 152. The complete story is told in our Ta 152 book and in volume 1 Dora book. The flight is recorded in Cescotti's flugbuch documenting the date, time and destination plus indicating he flew his "Green 1" Dora 9 as escort. During one of our interviews Cescotti was very adamant about the exact color of the Ta 152 as technical officer he oversaw the mixing of color and painting of the Ta 152. I even took varying shades of orange-red painted on 1/72 Ta 152 models and he had no hesitation picking the color. During the 25 minute flight he explained he flew all around his boss's aircraft above, below and along side this unusually colorful machine. In the meeting with the Focke-Wulf engineers, Auffhammer made it clear in no uncertain terms that he was very unhappy with the nagging technical problems and slow delivery of the promised Ta 152s. The discussion became so heated Cescotti felt uncomfortable and quietly slipped away.

When asked about Willi Reshke's comments about the this flight Cescotti replied; "We regarded Willi very highly for his dedication and ability we needed more like him, however looking at his flugbuch he was not present that day we took the orange-red Ta 152 to Rechlin". We interviewed both of these men separately and then together several times beginning in the mid 1980s.

What was amazing to me is they both said that no Luftwaffe historian, enthusiast or modeler had ever interviewed them before!

Cheers, Jerry

[Stonar]

The imputation that Auffhammer and Cescotti were lying would be a step too far for me. It's not something they could simply have been mistaken about. It still seems an extraordinarily elaborate way of protecting the Ta 152 on a 25 minute flight, but why would two senior and respected Luftwaffe officers make such a story up? with the evidence we have, and we are not likely to get any more, I find it easier and more logical to accept that Reschke was mistaken.

Others may come to a different conclusion.

Cheers

Steve