Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a, WNr. 500491, "Gelbe 7"
History
"Gelbe 7" was assigned to II./Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7), a Luftwaffe unit equipped with the Me 262, the world's first operational jet fighter. The aircraft's most notable pilot was Oberfeldwebel Heinz Arnold, a seasoned ace credited with 49 aerial victories, including seven achieved while flying the Me 262. Arnold's kills included multiple B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and P-51 Mustang fighters during March 1945. His success in the Me 262 was particularly remarkable, as he had previously amassed 42 victories on the Eastern Front using piston-engine aircraft. Tragically, Arnold was killed in action on 17 April 1945 during a ground-attack mission near Großebersdorf.
Following Arnold's death, "Gelbe 7" was flown by Lt. Müller until the end of the war. On 8 May 1945, the aircraft was surrendered to Allied forces at Lager Lechfeld, Germany. It was then assigned to the 8th Air Force's evaluation team, known as "Watson's Whizzers," and designated as FE-111 for further testing.AMZ
After its capture, "Gelbe 7" was transported to the United States aboard the Royal Navy's HMS Reaper and underwent evaluation at Wright Field, Ohio. During this period, the aircraft's original nose was replaced with that of a reconnaissance variant, the Me 262A-1a/U3 (W.Nr. 500453), for comparative testing with the American Lockheed XP-80. Subsequently, the aircraft was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C.
In 1978, restoration work commenced at the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility. The process was extensive, taking over 6,000 hours to address significant corrosion and to return the aircraft to its original configuration. Today, "Gelbe 7" is displayed at NASM, showcasing its historical significance and the Luftwaffe's innovative jet technology.