CAPTURED AIRCRAFT - ODD PHOTOS

johnbr · Oct 5, 2016

Another Lockheed P-38 Lightning, this one landing at Capoterra airfield, in southern Sardinia, 12 June 1943. The stunned Italian Air Force personnel at Capoterra could barely believe what had happened, but one airman quickly drove a vehicle in front of the Lightning to prevent it from taking off again. The embarrassed and soon to be imprisoned pilot was just opening his canopy when he realized that he had landed at the wrong airfield. He had landed at Capoterra almost out of fuel after a long trip over the Mediterranean from Gibraltar. It was later determined that his compass was off by 30 degrees. The USAAF insignia was covered with Italian Dark Green paint which was a bit darker than the US Olive Drab. New white fuselage bands circled the twin booms, Italian "Sabaudian" crosses emblazoned the tails, while the prop spinners were painted in white. The Lightning was test flown at Guidonia Experimental Centre near Rome and later was used against USAAF bombers. Col. Angelo Tondi, flying this P-38 and using its familiar profile, was able to get up close and down a USAAF B-24 Liberator off the Italian coast near Anzio on 11 August 1943. Six of the B-24's crew bailed out from the aircraft. The Italian Lightning had a short flying career because the German synthetic fuel used by Italians corroded the P-38's fuel tanks and the aircraft was grounded, but US reports say that B-17 bombers were attacked by two P-38s in early September 1943. During another mission, a damaged USAAF P-38 was flying close to American bombers needing protection. The bomber's gunners, thinking he was the "enemy" P-38, shot down the aircraft.

johnbr · Oct 5, 2016

a captured de Havilland Mosquito (T9+XB) fighter/bomber is displayed for the benefit of Nazi party officials and Luftwaffe brass, wearing the bright yellow empennage and undersides of a Zirkus Rosarius aircraft.

johnbr · Oct 5, 2016

The officers and party officials get a close look at an aircraft that is already a legend—the de Havilland Mosquito Mk IV but, without propellers, this Mossie (T9+XB) isn't going anywhere soon. According to Australian aviation writer Mark Nelson, this Mosquito never flew after it was captured as the landing gear and propellers were seriously damaged in a wheels-up landing. For display purposes, the Germans fabricated a makeshift steel tube "undercarriage" using the original Mosquito's tires. Strangely, the Zirkus Rosarius used the T9+XB lettering
display purposes, the Germans fabricated a makeshift steel tube "undercarriage" using the original Mosquito's tires. Strangely, the Zirkus Rosarius used the T9+XB lettering www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/394/WTF.aspx