This Reichenberg was captured by US soldiers on April 23, 1945 at the Danneburg V-1 factory, and was dispatched to the UK later that year for display at the German Aircraft Exhibition at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough in the fall of 1945.
The Fi 103R-IV then passed through a number of Royal Army bomb disposal units until it was discovered by the museum in 1970. Having been stored outside for years the Reichenberg was in very poor condition and was due to be scrapped. The bottom of the cockpit had rusted through and the back of the craft was damaged. After being acquired by the museum, temporary repairs and a cosmetic paint job were effected to slow the deterioration of the craft until such time as the funds & expertise were available to carry out a proper restoration.
The Fi 103R-4 was moved to Geisenhausen near Munich in November 2007, where the restoration was carried out by Auktionshaus fur historic Technik, the only restoration shop specialising in restoring the V-1 and its derivatives anywhere in the world. Now returned to its Previous Farnborough display condition, it will be sent to Lashenden and stored until later this year when the museum’s new display hall is ready. The museum reportedly still needs to raise approximately $ 60,000.00 to cover the costs of construction of the new hall, which will double the museum’s square footage. Donatlons are welcome. www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
There is, what is thought to be a P-38 lying in shallow water in Galway Bay, Ireland. It was probably deck cargo that washed overboard from a ship. There is also a ditched bomber, possibly a Wellington, nearby. Bodies from that crash were washed up on the shoreline shortly after the crash