Discovered fascinating historical 'monument' that was present in London during BoB. A Bf 110 was shot down, belly landed, crew captured, and the plane was put on display in London in August 1940. It was the same plane visible in photos in the LIFE magazine article as it arrived in USA, and which then all the analysis/tests were performed by the Americans.
I have the LIFE magazine article with photos, and the analysis report. But no pics found so far on how it appeared when displayed in London.
Some details, from John Vasco (Bf 110 historian & writer)
- Bf 110 D-0/B
- S9+CK
- W. Nr. 3341
- 2. Staffel, Erprobungsgruppe 210
- Pilot: Oberleutnant Alfred Habisch (PoW)
- Bordfunker: Unteroffizier Ernst Elfner (PoW)
- Shot down following early evening raid on Croydon on 15th August 1940 by the unit.
- Belly-landed at Hawkhurst, Kent.
- Put on street and park display in London towards the end of August 1940
- Shipped to the USA aboard SS Montanan in April 1941.
- Evaluated by Vultee Aircraft Corporation.
- Ultimate fate of the airframe not known.
Seems like a fun little thing, having a damaged Bf 110 positioned in a park or wherever they put it
Definitely visible from the air, too.
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EDIT: additional info and pics
Photo of where it ditched successfully:
http://www.asisbiz.com/IL2/Bf-110/Bf...15-1940-01.jpg
Photo of it being put on display in London:
http://www.asisbiz.com/IL2/Bf-110/Bf...15-1940-01.jpg"..came down at Hawkhurst following the Croydon raid of 15 August 1940, seen here being put on display in Hendon Park. The crew of Oblt. Alfred Habisch, pilot, and Uffz. Ernst Elfner, Bordfunker, survived into captivity. Messerschmitt Bf-110D-0/B, S9+CK, was probably the most photographed aircraft of the Luftwaffe. Shot down in the early evening of 15 August 1940, it was subsequently put on display in the second half of August in a London street, and later at the end of the month in Hendon Park."