Captured Aircrafts: Germany

[Airframes]

I agree.

 

[gekho]

Avia B-534 was Czech-built fighter. German forces captured about 350 planes (including Bk-534). These were concentrated at the airfields of Merseburg, Erding near Munich and several others, whence they were distributed to Luftwaffe units and offered to the satellite states. Luftwaffe organized a conversion course (so-called Avia Lehrgang) in Herzogenaurach. The ex-Czechoslovak fighters were used mainly as training machines with A/B Schulen and the Jagdfliegerschulen both on German and occupied soil. Some of the aircraft were used for special purposes (see carrier-capable Bk-534), especially a group of B-534 playing the Polish PZL-11c fighters in the "Kampfgeschwader Lützow" propaganda film.

Three machines Avia Bk-534 were modified for service on the German aircraft carrier "Graf Zeppelin", a vessel, which ultimately was never completed. The aircraft were given spools for catapult launching, a folding hook for arrested and thus equipped they were tested in 1940 to 1941 period. The airframe structure was not designed to withstand the concentrated loads of arrestal landings, the A-frame hook got pulled out from the fuselage on several occasions and the carrier-borne career of the Bk-534 fighter ended even before the German aircraft carrier project was abandoned.

Source: Luftwaffe Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site - Foereign Aircraft In Luftwaffe Service

 

[gekho]

The SB (Skorostnoy Bombardirovschik – High-speed Bomber) was one of the world's first twin-engined bombers with smooth metal plating and retractable chassis. SB (ANT-40) has constructed in the A. N. Tupolev design bureau under the supervision of A.A. Archangelsky. It made its maiden flight in October 7, 1934. M-100 engines powered first serial aircraft. They took part in Spanish Civil War (nicknamed "Katiushka" by Republicans and "Martin Bomber" by Nationalists). Since 1937 it were produced SB with M-100A engines and three-blade propellers. These aircraft became the basis of Soviet bomber aviation. SB took part in many armed conflicts in late 30s and in the initial stage of the Soviet-German War. In 1938 began license building of SB 2M-100 in Czechoslovakia as Avia B-71. These aircraft later served in Bulgarian Air Force and German Luftwaffe.

 

[gekho]

More pics

 

[A4K]

Interesting! ICM do a Luftwaffe Avia B-71 in 1:72 scale.

 

[gekho]

After seizing non-occupied part of France in November 1942, Germans captured 246 Dewoitine D.520C1 fighters, but only 182 of them were airworthy. Repainted and reequipped (i.e. German R/T FuG 7 and FuG 7a) served in Luftwaffe for operational training. There were used in three units: JG 101 in Nancy (later at Pau-Nord) in France, JG 103 in Zeltweg in Austria (later in Brussels area) and JG 105 in Paris-Le Bourget and in Chartres. Dewoitine fighters were used for combat and operational training after primary training on Ar 96. Some of German captured planes were sold to German Allies, some destroyed during France Campaign in 1944 or recaptured by Free French pilots and French Resistance. Last known were used in September 1944 by JG 103 in Brussels area.

 

[gekho]

Along with the Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79, the CANT Z.1007 Alcione series of bombers served as the backbone of the Regia Aeronautica's conventional and torpedo strike forces in World War II. Under the aegis of the firm of CANT, Ingeniere Filippo Zappata began design studies of the CANT Z.1007 and Z.1011 in 1935: both were powered by 625kW Isotta-Fraschmi Asso XI RC.15 engines, for which the former had three and the latter two. The relatively low power ratings of this engine forced the Regia Aeronautica to order the trimotor CANT Z.1007 for production, the first prototype flying in March 1937. The aircraft was constructed entirely of wood, save for the usual metal ancillaries and nacelle cladding. The first examples had two-bladed wooden propellers, but all later versions adopted the three-bladed metal Alfa Romeo types. In 1938, as a means to better load and performance, the CANT Z.1007bis entered production, having three 745kW Piaggio B.XIbis RC.40 radial engines as standard. The CANT Z.1007bis was the major production model, and featured revised armament, engine cowlings and dimensions.

 

[gekho]

The Fokker G.I was a Dutch heavy twin-engined fighter plane comparable in size and role to the German Messerschmitt Bf 110 and the British Mosquito. Although in production prior to World War II, its combat introduction came at a time when the Netherlands was overrun. The few G.1s that were mustered into service were able to score some victories, but ultimately the aircraft was withdrawn from operations, and the remainder of the production run was taken over by the Luftwaffe as trainers. At the conclusion of hostilities, several G.Is were captured by the Germans, with the remainder of the Spanish order and G.1bs that the Danish government had ordered in 1939 completed at the Fokker plant by mid-1941 in order for the G.1s to be assigned as fighter trainers for Bf 110 crews at Wiener Neustadt. For the next two years, Flugzeugführerschule (B) 8 flew the G.1b until attrition grounded the fleet.

 

[gekho]

The Fiat G.50 Freccia ("Arrow") was a World War II Italian fighter aircraft. First flown in February 1937, the G.50 was Italy's first single-seat, all-metal monoplane with an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear to go into production. Pilots disliked the sliding cockpit canopy, which was not easy to open quickly and interfered with vision, so in later production series, an open cockpit was adopted. In early 1938, the Freccias served in the Regia Aeronautica including with the Aviazione Legionaria in Spain, where they proved to be fast and, typical of most Italian designs, very manoeuvrable, however, the aircraft had inadequate armament (two Breda-SAFAT 12,7 mm machine guns). The Fiat G.50 was also used in small numbers by the Croatian Air Force and 35 were flown to Finland where they served with distinction. The Luftwaffe used the G.50s as trainers and later on, due to the Italian armistice of 8 September 1943, the Luftwaffe supplied the Croatian Air Force Legion with 20 to 25 Fiat G.50s captured on Regia Aeronautica airfields in the Balkans.

 

[gekho]

The prototype Romano R-80.01 was a private venture design by Etienne Romano for a two-seat aerobatic biplane to use as a demonstrator. Tested in 1935 with a 179 kW (240 hp) Lorraine 7Me radial engine it was later fitted with a 209 kW (280 hp) Salmson 9Aba radial and re-designated the R-80.2. The R.80.2 was a biplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear and with the change of scope to a tandem two-seat dual-control aerobatic trainer it was re-designated the R.82.01. Two more prototypes were built which were sold to private owners. Romano became part of the nationalised SNCASE and the French Air Force ordered the R-82 into production with 147 aircraft being delivered. The French Navy also ordered 30 R-82s and all Air Force and Navy aircraft had been delivered by May 1940.

 

[gekho]

More pics

 

[gekho]

Retaining the same engines, wing, and tail surfaces of the SM.91, the SM.92 was a refined version omitting the central nacelle and placing the crew in the port boom, balanced by fuel tanks in the starboard boom. The omission of the nacelle saved considerable airframe weight and drag, permitting higher speeds and longer range. The sole SM.92 was flown for the first time on November 12, 1943 under Luftwaffe auspices, but never entered production.

 

[gekho]

The Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941. The Stirling had a relatively brief operational career as a bomber, being relegated to second line duties from 1943 onwards when other four-engined RAF bombers, specifically the Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster, took over its role.

 

[R Leonard]

I keep holding out hope that someday a photo will turn up - NOTE a photo NOT a drawing - of the Fleet Air Arm F4U the Germans recovered after a forced landing in Norway.

Rich

 

[gekho]

Many captured Hurricanes saw service in the Luftwaffe. For example, the Hurricane I/tropical W9359 of 806 squadron at Haneish, was involved in in a dogfight with Bf109s over El Adem on 23 November 1941. The Hurricane force-landed in the desert, and the pilot was rescued by retreating troops. The fate of the Hurricane in occupied territory is not known. Other examples were:

- JG 51: This aircraft used in Winter 1940-1941. It carried RAF fighter markings used from November 1940.
- Serial DF+GC: This aircraft was captured by Germans at Mervile, 1940.
- Unit I/JFS 2, Serial DG+SC: Captured in Zerbst, Germany, circa 1941.
- Serial V7670: This aircraft was captured by Germans in North Africa in 1941.
- Serial BP176: This aircraft was captured by Germans in Egypt in 1942.
- Unit: ex 208(AC) Sqn, RAF, Serial: T9536: Ex 208 (AC) Sqn RAF Canadian built aircraft. It was captured by Germans near LG.134, Sollum on 18th October 1941. Later it was recaptured by Allies. Rotol propeller.

Source: WINGS PALETTE - Hawker Hurricane/Sea Hurricane - Germany (Nazi)

 

[gekho]

The Aero A.300 was a Czechoslovakian bomber aircraft that first flew in 1938 as a much refined development of the A.304 (despite what the numbering would suggest). Despite showing much promise, development and production of the aircraft was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Two further prototypes were not apparently completed and were captured still under manufacture. No information as to their fate.

 

[gekho]

These are some of the B-24 captured by germans:

- B-24G-10-NT Ser.#42-78247.Used to test German radar and other electronics.
- B-24H-5-DT Ser.#41-28641. Became lost on a training flight two days before 453rd BG became operational. The plane was captured by Germans. It was used for supply mission to the Island of Rhodes in later 1944. It was captured back by American troops in Salzburg, Austria.
- B-24D-1-CO 343rd BS, 98th BG, USAAF, Serial: 41-23659, I-RAIN. The plane was captured by Italians after mistaken landing at Pachino, Sicily on 24th February 1943. The plane got Italian markings and tested at Regia Aeronautica test centre at Guidonia. On 19th June 1943 Captain Giovanni Raina flew it to German test centre at Rechlin (it got civil registration I-RAIN). Throughout the testing the aeroplane was flown with Italian markings, as shown in numerous published photos from the period. Damaged by a German crew during landing after a test flight, the Liberator was never repaired, as by that time the Luftwaffe had several serviceable Liberators of later variants.
- B-24H-5-FO, Unit: ex 719th BS, 449th BG, 47th BW, 15th AF, USAAF, Serial: ex A/3 (42-52106). This aircraft was captured by Luftwaffe at Venegono, Italy March 29th, 1944. The crew compeled to be acted in German propaganda movie. MACR 3715. It was flown by Luftwaffe on penetration missions in RAF bomber streams at night in Luftwaffe markings. Shot down by German AAA April 6th, 1945 on ferry flight from Hildesheim to Bavaria.

 

[gekho]

Responding to the US Army Air Corps' need for a high speed medium bomber, the Martin Company submitted an unusual design; a cantilever shoulder wing monoplane carrying five (later seven) crewmen. While the plane met or exceeded all performance requirements, with a wing optimized for high speed cruising, it was found to be unstable at low speeds during take-offs and landings. After a number of training accidents, modifications were made and the Marauder went on to record the lowest attrition rate of any American aircraft serving with the Air Corps' 9th Air Force in Europe, a remarkable feat considering the plane's undeserved nickname of "Widow-maker," among others.

 

[Wayne Little]

good stuff!

 

[gekho]

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Italian for "Sparrowhawk") was a three-engined Italian medium bomber with a wood and metal structure. Originally designed as a fast passenger aircraft, this low-wing monoplane, in the years 1937–39, set 26 world records that qualified it for some time as the fastest medium bomber in the world. It first saw action during the Spanish Civil War and flew on all fronts in which Italy was involved during World War II. It became famous and achieved many successes as a torpedo bomber in the Mediterranean theater. The SM.79 was an outstanding aircraft and was certainly the best known Italian aeroplane of World War II. It was easily recognizable due to its distinctive fuselage dorsal "hump", and was well liked by its crews who nicknamed it Gobbo Maledetto ("damned hunchback"). It was the most widely produced Italian bomber of World War II, with some 1,300 built, remaining in Italian service until 1952.

When the Italians surrendered on September 8,1943, it did not end the combat record of the SM.79, and a new version, the SM.79-III torpedo-bomber, was placed in production by the RSI, the fascist government in northern Italy. Some Sparvieros were sequestrated on the spot by the Luftwaffe and used with German or Italian crews as regular Luftwaffe Utility Transports. Some served in the newly created ARSI, the Air Arm of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana which continued to fight on the side of the Axis. A few found their way to the Allied side and served with the Co-Belligerent Air Force against German Forces.