FW 190 D-13/R11 “Yellow 10”
Yellow 10 before complete restoration in 2001 by Doug Champlin.
“Yellow 10” (serial 836017) was delivered to Jagdgeschwader 26 in March 1945, within two months of VE-Day. It was flown by Maj. Franz Goetz (63 victories), the last JG-26 commander, who retained the Pik As (ace of spades) emblem of his previous unit, JG-53. Yellow 10 (Goetz’s “lucky number”) was one of five long-nose 190s taken to the U.S. for evaluation. Of those, only three remain including two owned by the National Air and Space Museum. Subsequently 836017 was donated to Georgia Tech, and after years of neglect it was acquired by David Kyte in California. Doug Champlin learned of the derelict fighter and in 1972 purchased it for shipment to Germany. There Art Williams of Guenzburg began a four-year restoration with assistance from Prof. Kurt Tank. Many missing parts had to be found or manufactured but the project was largely completed in 1976 and returned to the U.S. As the only privately-owned 190D, the “Dora” was the crown jewel of the Champlin collection in Mesa, Arizona. In 2001, a complete rebuild was begun by Gosshawk Aviation, directed by Dave Goss at Falcon Field. WWII Ace Bud Anderson toured the Dora during this restoration. The result is perhaps the most authentic, airworthy Luftwaffe aircraft in North America. Yellow 10 next resided in the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington and then moved to the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Paine Field at Everett, WA, where it remains.
"Yellow 10" PIlot, Geschwader Kommodore Major Franz Gotz, a Knight's Cross holder. It was flown by Maj. Franz Goetz (63 victories), the last JG-26 commander, who retained the Pik As (ace of spades) emblem of his previous unit, JG-53. (Photo shown with permission of Jerry Crandall of Eagle-Editions)
"Yellow 10" at Gilze-Rijen Airfield, Holland, Jun 1945. “Yellow 10” (serial 836017) was delivered to Jagdgeschwader 26 in March 1945, within two months of VE-Day. (Photo shown with permission of Jerry Crandall of Eagle-Editions)
Focke-Wulf 190D-13 Yellow 10
D-series 190s—called Doras
Beautiful restoration by Dave Goss, Gosshawk Unlimited.
Doug Champlin, Bud Anderson and Dave Goss with Yellow 10
Yellow 10 (Goetz’s “lucky number”) was one of five long-nose 190s taken to the U.S. for evaluation.
Junkers Jumo 213 E piston engine capable of churning out 2,200 horsepower.
Note wood flaps due to shortage of metal in the late stages of WWII. Germany.
Inverted Jumo 213 E engine
Doras featured an almost unfathomably complex mechanical “brain box” which allowed their pilots to concern themselves with only a single power, lever while their Allied counterparts had to manage separate propeller, mixture, and throttle controls.
Yellow 10 outside the Champlin Fighter Museum, Mesa, AZ
Doras—could outclimb and outrun anything the Allies put into the air.
Doug Champlin talking with Bud Anderson about Yellow 10.
Yellow 10 on display at the Museum of Flight. It is now on display with the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum.
