Question about Fw190D-9 Dora Red 1 of the JV44

[uproar]

Greetings,

More than one of the photographs I have seen of the Dora Red 1 at Ainring Field near Salzburg show the tail of the aircraft resting upon something with a rather large, 5-spoked wheel that appears to be some sort of dolly--looks like it's maybe two feet or so in diameter, is distinct from the tailwheel, and is supporting the tail. Anyone know what this is (I've never seen anything similar before), or have any better photographs of it? Is there an aftermarket kit that reproduces this dolly (if that's what it is"? I'd like to reproduce it in a small diorama I'm working on. Thanks!

Here's what it looks like:

rafiger.de/Homepage/FBMuseum/Info-JV44/Info-JV44.htm

[Scott Craig]

It's obviously something to make it easier to move the rear of the airplane, and the only thing that comes to mind would be that it would help prevent the tail wheel from sinking into soft, muddy ground. Just a guess, but that's the only thing that comes to mind. The tail wheel probably fits into it somehow to allow some level of steering at the rear (assuming, of course, that the FW-190 had a steerable tail wheel!).

[crockett]

The dolly was used to test fire/boresight/zero the guns. The tail section of the aircraft was very light and very rarely "sank" in the mud. Even if it did, the aircraft could be easily "steered" with engine and rudder. Two mechanics could pick up the tail of the aircraft with little effort. The dolly was used to level the aircraft, sometimes to acheive proper hydraulic oil levels (refill), and to calibrate the gyro compass and or the gunsight as well.

Steve

[uproar]

crockett said:

The dolly was used to test fire/boresight/zero the guns. The tail section of the aircraft was very light and very rarely "sank" in the mud. Even if it did, the aircraft could be easily "steered" with engine and rudder. Two mechanics could pick up the tail of the aircraft with little effort. The dolly was used to level the aircraft, sometimes to acheive proper hydraulic oil levels (refill), and to calibrate the gyro compass and or the gunsight as well.

Steve

Very cool--thanks, Steve. So...how can I make one? It seems like Verlinden or someone ought to make a resin kit on the thing. Good lord, it seems like everything else on the planet is reproduced in resin. I emailed Jerry Crandall at Eagle Editions to seem if he knew of anyone who did. I wouldn't mind scratchbuilding one, but would like a more detailed photo to go off of.

[crockett]

You will probably have to scratchbuild. I don't know of any AM out there buddy.

Steve

[Scott Craig]

The dolly was used to level the aircraft, sometimes to acheive proper hydraulic oil levels (refill), and to calibrate the gyro compass and or the gunsight as well.

Glad I said my idea was just a guess That makes a lot of sense now that you mentioned it Steve. Thanks for pointing it out.