Flying Cars on the Russian Front, 1943

This crashed machine was first thought by Russian soldiers to be a normal car, dropped from another aircraft as some kind of hoax or diversionary tactic. They did not realize the significance of their find until several more flying cars were seen airborne over the Russian front. The machine pictured here is a VW 019A-2 "Ladybug" of JG 54, the first flying car ever captured by the Allies. Examination revealed the use of a modified Daimler-Benz engine and an exhaust-mounted 13mm MG 131 machine gun as its sole armament. Cameras located under the fenders led to speculation that this craft may have been used for reconnaissance.

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