Estate of Mano Ziegler Me 163 pilot and comander
MUSEUM GRADE ! 100 % originality guarantee !
Auction: The Unique Personal Estate of Mano Ziegler
A direct insight into the era of the rocket fighter – original artifacts from the legendary Me 163 pilot comander and author.
We present a collection of inestimable historical value:
....the personal estate of Mano Ziegler, one of the few war surviving test and operational pilots of the revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet". Ziegler, whose book "Raketenjäger Me 163" became a standard work of aviation history, was a key figure in one of the most dramatic chapters of military aviation.
This konvolut offers a rare, intimate perspective on the life of a man who experienced the limits of what was technically feasible at the time – from secret test flights to the rebuilding of Germany after the war. The authenticity and provenance of these pieces are guaranteed by their origin from the direct possession of the Ziegler family.
The collection includes the following unique historical artifacts:
Personal Soldbuch (Military Pay Book) of the German Luftwaffe:
The original military document detailing Ziegler's service period, ranks, and deployments with Jagdgeschwader 400 (JG 400), the only operational Me 163 unit. A central document of his military history.
The Only Remaining Private Flying Helmet of an Me 163 Pilot Worldwide!
This exceedingly rare flying helmet, from the Mano Ziegler collection, from 1944 is an absolute rarity in aviation history. It is 100% original and was exclusively developed for and used in the Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet" rocket interceptor aircraft only!
Personal Service Book with the Bundeswehr after the War:
This book documents his continued career in the service of the newly formed German armed forces and shows his personal transition into the post-war era.
Honorary Goblet (Ehrenpokal) with a Model of the Messerschmitt Me 163:
A deeply personal and emotional artifact. This goblet was presented to him by his comrades and subordinate flight students for Christmas 1944. It bears a detailed model of the rocket fighter and symbolizes the unique esprit de corps and camaraderie of this elite unit.
Two original Pilot Badges:
A Pilot's Badge (Flugzeugführer-Abzeichen) of the German Luftwaffe.
A Glider Pilot's Badge (Segelflugführerabzeichen), highlighting his passion for flying and training before and during the war.
Original, Hand-Authored Curriculum Vitae:
A personal document providing his own account of his life's path, career, and experiences in his own words.
A Glass with the Me 163 from his Personal Possession:
An everyday object with a direct link to the person Mano Ziegler and his connection to the aircraft type.
Three Original Family Photos:
Insights into his private life, including a picture in his Luftwaffe uniform, confirming his role as an officer.
An Original Me 163 "Flight Announcement" (Flugansage) from his possession:
An extremely rare, specific document or recording (depending on the format) related to the internal procedures and communication surrounding Me 163 flight operations.
His Book on the Deployment of the Me 163: A copy of his famous work
"Raketenjäger Me 163:
Ein Tatsachenbericht von einem, der überlebte" ("Rocket Fighter Me 163: A True Report from One Who Survived"), which puts the stories behind these artifacts into words and underscores their historical significance.
This collection represents a museum-quality opportunity to own the history of rocket aviation through the eyes of one of its pioneers. A must-have for serious collectors of military memorabilia, aviation enthusiasts, and historians.
Bid now on this unparalleled piece of contemporary history.
Mano Ziegler
Mano Ziegler (1908–1991) was a German test pilot, journalist, and writer, primarily known for his work as a pilot of the rocket-powered Messerschmitt Me 163 and as the author of aviation non-fiction books.
Life and Career
Early Life and Wartime: Karl Eugen Hermann "Mano" Ziegler was born in 1908 in Wyhlen, Baden. During the Second World War, he served as a pilot in the Luftwaffe. He was one of the test pilots with the most takeoffs in the Messerschmitt Me 163, the world's first fully flight-capable rocket aircraft, and served with Erprobungskommando 16 (Test Command 16) and later Jagdgeschwader 400 (Fighter Wing 400).
Post-War Period and Journalism: After a brief period as a Soviet prisoner of war, Ziegler initially made ends meet with various odd jobs, including as a car salesman, reporter, actor, and cabaret artist. In 1957, he took over the position of editor-in-chief at the respected aviation magazine Flug Revue, a role he held until 1962. He later moved into public relations for aircraft manufacturers such as Heinkel, Messerschmitt, and finally Deutsche Airbus.
Literary Work: Ziegler was a prolific author of novels and non-fiction books, especially about his experiences as a test pilot and the development of early jet and rocket aircraft. His most famous works include:
Raketenjäger Me 163 (Non-fiction report)
Turbinenjäger Me 262 (The story of the world's first operational jet fighter)
Starfighter (Novel)
Mano Ziegler died in 1991 in Isny im Allgäu.
The Komet Documents:
A Relic of Aviation History Unique. Dangerous. Legendary. In the annals of military history, there are only a few objects of comparable resonance and historical significance. Today, we present an artifact that combines the limits of technical feasibility with the desperation of the final days of the war: The original service booklet (Soldbuch) of Mano Ziegler.
Mano Ziegler was no ordinary soldier. He was one of the few, hand-picked test and operational pilots in "Erprobungskommando 16" (EK 16) and later in Jagdgeschwader 400 (JG 400), who flew the world's first and only operational rocket fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet".
The Essence of Extremes
The Me 163 was a marvel of engineering, but it was associated with the most dangerous mission of the war. Powered by highly corrosive and explosive rocket fuel (T-Stoff and C-Stoff), every takeoff, every flight, and especially every landing was a dance with death. The pilots who dared to enter this sky-borne monster experienced speeds and G-forces far beyond what human physiology could handle at the time. Many did not survive their missions or test flights.
This service booklet is the personal testimony of a survivor of this hell.
Incomparable Rarity
Only a Handful of Pilots: The total number of Me 163 pilots was extremely small, far fewer than for any other combat aircraft type of the Second World War.
Historical Relevance: Mano Ziegler was not only a pilot but also a chronicler of this era. His book "Raketenjäger 163" ("Rocket Fighter") is a standard work on the history of this aircraft. This document is the authentic source for the events described in his book.
Low Survival Rate: Given the aircraft's technical problems and fatal accidents, personal documents from Me 163 pilots are of the utmost rarity. A Soldbuch from a named, prominent pilot like Ziegler is an absolute rarity.
A Unique Investment in History
This is more than just a historical document; it is a direct link to one of the most dramatic and secretive episodes in aviation history. It represents the peak of German engineering and the extreme courage (or desperation) of the men who flew them.
Secure this irreplaceable collector's item. A document from one of the "Komet" pilots who flew through the gateway to the jet age – and survived.