The Fulmar's finest hour?

[RCAFson]

On May 08 1941 Fulmars from Ark Royal and Formidable engaged both the Luftwaffe and Reggia Aeronautica and soundly thrashed them both:

RA losses:

4 x SM79
2 x CR42

Luftwaffe losses:
1 x Ju-88
4 x He-111
2 x Me-110 (crash landed due to battle damage)
1 x Me110 damaged
1 x Ju-87 (confirmed by Fulmar gun camera but not noted in Luftwaffe records)
1 x Ju87 damaged

FAA:

2 x Fulmar (one from bomber defensive fire)
2 X Fulmar crash landed on CVs
1X Fulmar crashed due to weather (not combat related)
6 x Fulmars damaged

Data from Shores, Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945: Volume One: North Africa, June 1940-January 1942, p182-185

 

[oldcrowcv63]

Thanks for posting this tally. Impressive for a slow clunky, big kite-like fighter airplane. That does seem a good day.

 

[RCAFson]

The Fulmars were vectored on to their targets by ship based GCI radar. The Luftwaffe aircraft never even sighted the Commonwealth ships due to very cloudy conditions.

 

[Vincenzo]

Also the italian royal air force (Regia Aereonautica) used Ju 87 in 1941 so it's possible the that i nthe fulmar gun camera is italian. atm i've no info on deployement of italian dive bomber unit (gruppi bombardamento a tuffo) on 8 may 1941.