Slovakian Aircraft Camouflage and Markings

[imalko]

Here are two pictures of Heinkel He 111 "White S-82" in service with Slovak Air Arms. As mentioned before, Heinkels were mainly used for paratroopers training. (Source: "Slovenske letectvo" Volumes 2 and 3)

 

[imalko]

To conclude our story about He 111s flown by Slovak pilots here's a short review of Heinkel He 111s of Letka 41.

This was a bomber unit formed in June 1943 and intended for deployment on the eastern front. Because Slovak pilots lacked the experience in flying multi-engined aircraft, it was arranged that they would first receive necessary training and then be deployed in combat under Luftflotte 4. The unit was stationed at Saky (Crimea) and equipped with He 111 bombers. Some of these aircraft were in standard bomber configuration while others were unarmed and with dual controls. Aircraft remained in German property and thus kept original German national and tactical markings. They were painted in standard bomber camouflage color scheme RLM 70/71/65 with yellow fuselage bands and underside wingtips. Originating from various other Luftwaffe units the aircraft displayed variety of tactical codes on their fuselages (sometimes partially over painted). Some of the known codes on Letka 41 aircraft were "F6+AM", "BO+IT", " +BL". Only visible sign denoting affiliation to Slovak squadron were Slovak national colors (white-blue-red) painted on the spinners of some (not all) aircraft. At least one aircraft had Slovak flag painted on the top of the rudder.

Letka 41 never flew any bomber sortie in the East. With rapid Soviet advance fallowing the Battle of Kursk, Slovak pilots took part in evacuation of Crimea flying their overloaded aircraft from Sevastopol to Nikolayev, Cherson and Odessa. The last such flight was made by pilot Major Lisicky and his crew on 2nd November 1943. Afterward Slovak crews handed back their aircraft to the Germans and returned home to Slovakia. Letka 41 was reorganized as a part of III Bomber Group on 15th December 1943 at Poprad airfield.

Source: "Slovenske letectvo 1939-1944" Volume 2 by Peter Šumichrast and Viliam Klabnik

 

[Airframes]

great stuff Igor, a good little series there.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Massimo Tessitori]

Hi,
here is a page on Czechoslovak and Slovak B.71s on Sovietwarplanes site:
B-71 in Czechoslovak and Slovak service
Regards
Massimo

 

[Wurger]