Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a, WNr. 112372, "Gelbe 4"
History
Built in March 1945 at the Leipheim factory, Me 262A-2a 112372 was one of the late-war variants of the Me 262, Germany's first operational jet fighter. It was assigned to Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7), a Luftwaffe unit equipped with the Me 262. The aircraft was test-flown at Memmingen on 23 March 1945 by Unteroffizier Sepp Gerstmayr before being delivered to I./JG 7.
Following the German surrender, 'Yellow 4' was flown from Zatec airfield in Czechoslovakia to Fassberg on 8 May 1945, where it was surrendered to British forces. In June 1945, it was ferried to the United Kingdom, arriving at Farnborough for evaluation and testing. The aircraft was allocated the RAF serial VK893 in September 1945. It was flown regularly until 29 November 1945.
After its evaluation, 'Yellow 4' was transferred to various RAF stations, including Cranwell, Gaydon, Finningley, and St Athan. In 1976, it was moved to the RAF Museum Cosford, where it was repainted to reflect its original I./JG 7 markings.In 2003, the aircraft was transferred to the RAF Museum Hendon, where it was displayed in the Milestones of Flight Hall.In 2017, it was returned to Cosford, where it remains on display today.