Messerschmitt Me 163B1-a, WNr. 191659, "Gelbe 15"
History
Werknummer 191659 was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 400 (JG 400), a Luftwaffe unit tasked with intercepting Allied bombers. The aircraft was coded 'Yellow 15' and was stationed at Husum airfield in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. In May 1945, as the war in Europe concluded, the aircraft was captured by Allied forces.
Following its capture, the aircraft was shipped to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough, England, for evaluation. On 26 July 1945, it was dispatched from Farnborough to No. 6 Maintenance Unit (MU) at Brize Norton. By 19 May 1947, the aircraft was transferred to the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield (now Cranfield University) and displayed in its 'Library of Flight' collection. In 1975, after refurbishment by Marshall of Cambridge Ltd., it was moved to the Royal Scottish Museum of Flight at East Fortune, where it remains on display today .
At East Fortune, the Me 163B-1a is displayed in Hangar 4, showcasing its distinctive features.