Emergence from the depths: The saga of the Fw 190A-2 ‘Yellow 16

A remarkable discovery

On a cold December day in 1943, the Fw-190A2 ‘Yellow 16’ took off from Herdla airfield in Norway, but soon after developed engine trouble. The pilot, having no other option, executed a controlled emergency landing in waters near Solsvika, west of Bergen. This event marked the beginning of a long underwater slumber for Yellow 16, which would not see the light of day for almost 63 years. On 1 November 2006, a dedicated team raised the aircraft from its watery grave in a meticulous recovery operation, raising it from 60 metres below the surface.

Fw-190A2 ‘Yellow 16’

Discovery

The discovery of Yellow 16 was no coincidence. Local enthusiasts had long known about the plane’s resting place, but it was the Royal Norwegian Navy vessel KNM Tyr that identified its exact location in May 2005. This discovery set the stage for an ambitious project to return Yellow 16 to the surface, spearheaded by the newly formed “Task Force Fw 190 A2 – Gelbe 16.” This team of local experts and enthusiasts, including Geir Tangen, Halvor Sperbund and others, began preparations for the recovery of the plane, obtaining the necessary permits and establishing connections with local museums.

fw-190a2 ‘yellow 16’

A team effort

The operation to recover Yellow 16 was a testament to collaboration and technical skill. Between May 2005 and June 2006, the Royal Norwegian Navy, led by Lieutenant Commander Wiggo Korsvik, carried out several diving expeditions to assess the condition of the wreck and its surroundings. These operations were crucial to the planning of the aircraft’s raising, including the recovery of valuable parts such as the MG17 cannons to prevent theft and assessing the quality of the aircraft’s remains. In June, a civilian diving team, led by Didrik Venge, took over the preparatory work, culminating in the successful raising of the aircraft on 1 November.

The recovery operation was a precision effort, executed to perfection. The aircraft was hoisted onto the former Flekkerøy ferry and transported to Haakonsvern Naval Base near Bergen. Here, the Task Force undertook the task of cleaning and preserving Yellow 16, a process planned to last until March 2007. The aircraft, broken down into 6 to 8 major components, was stored in fresh water to stop corrosion, ensuring that its next destination, the Herdla Museum, would receive it in a condition fit for display.

The historical past of Yellow 16

The Yellow 16 was more than just an aircraft; it was a veteran of numerous battles and missions. Serving with 12./JG.5, it bore the markings of its long service, indicated by various tactical markings including two instances of the black 6 and a white number, before assuming its final identity as the Gelbe 16. Its history was a patchwork of service with different units, including a major refit following a crash at Sola with 11./JG 5. While the identity of the pilot on its final flight remains uncertain, evidence suggests that Kurt Kundrus, later killed in action with JG 3, was at the controls.

The Task Force’s efforts to discover more about 12./JG’s operations in Norway and the stories of those connected with Yellow 16 continue.

Photo: Silje Katrine Robinson / Museum Stiftelsen Vest