Volkswaffe Artifacts
A collection of various elements of Volkswaffe history and culture.
Tactical Training Models
These models were apparently used as training tools for pilots of "Volkswaffe Kampfflugzeug Gruppe 8" (Volkswaffe Fighter Group 8).
The 'handle' end features orange paint and the unit name spelled out in ink. The hypothesis is that these were marked so conspicuously to avoid them being stolen by other units (flying more 'traditional' aircraft) which saw the Volkswaffe 'experiment' as a waste of resources. There is some light wear on the models themselves. The handle end is more heavily weathered. Volkswaffe Tactical Training Models In Photograph
This magazine clipping shows one of the tactical training models in use by a Volkswaffe instructor. Possibly from the pages of a 1940s 'Signal' magazine.
The German text under the photo reads: "Volkswaffe recruits watch attack techniques demonstrated with models. The wires attached to the enemy B-24 show fields of fire for the pilots to avoid." The back of the page shows a Russian war propaganda leaflet, claiming some 70,000 German Soldiers had been captured. The magazine editors have circled photo editing mistakes on the leaflet (repeated images of German soldiers) for readers. This example is enclosed in an acid-free plastic sleeve. Some yellow staining and folds are present on the corners of the clipping. It is unevenly cut on the edges and a small bit is torn out in the lower left. Aircraft Identification Playing Cards
The origins of these cards remains a mystery. It is unknown if they are of US or British design and when they were produced. The 'Luftwaffe Failures' wrap is similarly without explanation.
'Comic Panel' Painting
Theories abound about the origins of this painting. The most compelling is that it was part of some decoration for the ready room of one of the American flying car squadrons in the 1970s.
It consists of acrylic paint on canvas - inside a metal frame. |
Altitude Adjustment Device
According to a 1986 interview with Don Archibald, one of his Volkswaffe aircraft was stolen from his home airfield near Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The individual crashed (but survived). This piece of equipment was recovered as evidence by local police and purchased years later at a police auction.
Volkswaffe Training Bomb (copy of US model)
Captured documentation suggests that Volkswaffe program officers hatched a plan to try and pit the British and Americans against each other. The idea was to drop US model bombs onto English targets, with the planners hoping this would lead to damage to the relationship between the allies or at least confusion and suspicion.
As part of the preparations for this mission, several copies of American training bombs were constructed and one example can be seen here. The bomb is designed to be filled with water and held a small 'smoke marker charge' in the tail section. The hopelessly underpowered aircraft of the Volkswaffe Bomber Group couldn't make it off the ground with a water-filled bomb, but with a visit by Goering to see how the operation was going, unfilled versions of the ordinance (much lighter) were used in some exercises. This one apparently sustained a dent on the nose when it hit the ground. The hand-painted insignia was apparently added after the bomb was found by squadron members, who used it as an ash tray for some time. It was hanging from t he ceiling of their squadron bar when the area was overrun by Allied troops in 1944/45. The painted inscription reads "Long Live the Volkswaffe Bomber Group!" 'Starkillers' Emblem Proof Artwork (original)
Here is evidence of post-war operations involving flying cars. VKX-2 was apparently an 'aggressor' squadron comprised of flying cars. US interceptor squadrons would train against these, in anticipation of possibly facing Soviet-model flying cars in combat (since it is known the Soviets also captured examples at the end of WWII.
The date of this image is unknown, but the artwork style would suggest it is from the 1970s or 1980s. |