Aircraft Wrecks

[cyberia]

A heavily armored IL-2 Stormovik belly down in a field in The Ukraine

[Geek44]

Nice one Paul. It's relatively 'undamaged' appearance is a testament to the strength of the airframe. Hartmann is quoted as saying he saw 20mm rounds ricochet off IL 2s.

[McCoy]

Bubbi used to take out the rear gunner first on the IL-2's. Then it was just the matter of downing those slow "flyin' tanks". They had three weak spots, the tailsection just forward of the stabiliser, the wingroots n' the oilcooler under the belly.

[Horch]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Here's another that I find interesting.
It's a Bf109G-14 photographed on January 1 1945. It seems this aircraft took part in Operation Bodenplatte but was claimed by US flak. The pilot pictured is one Gefreiter Alfred Michel speaking with his captors...at least Michel would survive the war. Note the crudely overpainted codes ahead of the Balkencreuz and the decidedly unusual tone of the whole aircraft which the source describes as RLM 81 and 82 ('brownish-green' and green). The place is Halstroff and the unit is IV./JG 53.
Attachment 1170

Still haven't properly worked out the scanner...apologies again for small pic.

Great picture.Interesting having the pilot included!

[cyberia]

Hptm. Naumann and "his" Boston III

Great story behind this one. The Boston III of No. 88 Sqd. was forced down July 26, 1943 near Vendeville. The victorious pilot Hptm. Naumann not only had his photo taken with the plane, but he sought out its surviving crewmen.

They all gathered for post-war reunions and remained in correspondence long after.

[Geek44]

[quote=cyberia;16720They all gathered for post-war reunions and remained in correspondence long after.[/QUOTE]

I believe many of the survivng pilots did this kind of thing. Different aspect to the war huh? I guess it may have something to do with the 'dash and elan' of the airman. They weren't called 'magnificent men' for nothing. Great story Paul. Thanks

[Horch]

Gee...didn't even bend a prop!

[McCoy]

Well it's feathered so it wasn't spinning when the pilot put down the Boston on it's belly.

[Horch]

Still, it's fortunate it wasn't in a different position.

[cyberia]

All that's left of Black 12, the FW190A of Uffz. Norbert Holtz-Wevelghem, 1943

Holtz stalled the engine of his machine on approach to the field, which then cartwheeled several times before landing on its wheels. Holtz walked away from the crash uninjured, but was reduced in rank to Obergefretier for the mishap.