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The latest on the Frankfurt engines

Posted by Scoop Tony on Tue Nov 13, 2001 06:53:57 AM

I spoke with Dr. Steinle yesterday, re these items.

Well, the whole thing has degenerated into a bit of a farce. It appears, that the Geman finance ministry, is claiming ownership of the engines, as they were never offically struck off charge by the Luftwaffe.

Holger was disturbed by that. Anyway, a real row ensued, between the Berlin museum, Luftwaffe, Finance ministry, and Frankfurt airport. Frankfurt are wishing the things had never been discovered, and have a definite downer, on any exploratory digs taking place. The Luftwaffe are saying they are "our" engines, and Holger just wants a return to the good old days, when he could turn up with a truck and a bottle of schnapps, quick 5 minutes, and back to the museum, with the booty.

He tells me, that unfortunately, 2 of the engines (801's) suffered from q.v. "Russian recovery methods" however, I believe that the haul included 3 "Squire" -lol Jumo 213 engines, in "pretty good" condition. The DB605's are late model engines, and are also in pretty good condition.

The row is still going on, but Berlin have been promised 3 of the engines, when they are eventually released, but which 3, is open to conjecture.

Yes i have asked about obtaining an example engine, but it will be a trade job. They don't need the money, but Holger has a new exibition hall he opened yesterday, and he needs more bits for it.


Please don't all rush in, and start asking him for engines. Right now, the guy is pretty pissed with the way things have happened. It's exactly like finding a cache of Packard Merlins , and having the Treasury saying, "our engines" with the USAF saying "our engines" and NASM being told to take their place in the queue.

So, it even happens in Germany :0)

Tony

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