What ever happened to the Turkish AF 1940s A/C?
- Thread starter tomo pauk
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Would love to know myself. Though I don't think they were saved, it would have made for a hell of an aviation museum. Just think of the diversity!
- Thread starter
- #3
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
TURKISH MILITARY AIRCRAFT SINCE 1912 by Ole Nikolajsen I believe gives a pretty good idea what happened to them.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
By the way, Turkey also had Hurricanes.
The 72 Fw190s Turkey received, were the A-3 (designated Aa-3 for "auslandisch" - foreign) and were delivered with the standard MG17, but no cannon. They also had the FuG VIIa two-way radions, but not the FuG25 IFF system. The block numbers ran from 0134101 to 0134172 (Arado, Focke-Wulf and Ago production)
The aircraft were assigned to the TAF 5th Fighter Regiment, based out of Eskisehir AB. The 5th FR was divided into 4 Filos (squadrons) which were nicknamed after hair color: Blondes (Sarybas), Brunettes (Karabas), Redheads (Albas) and Grayhaired (Akbas). The Fw190's spinners were painted to reflect each Filo's color.
They remained in service as late as 1949, but were retired after purchasing 170 Spitfires (Mk.IX and Mk.XIX) from Britain and 180 P-47Ds from the U.S. It's also interesting to note that the TAF also received Mosquitos, B-26s and a variety of other types, during and after the war.
There virtually no word of what happened to those Fw190s after they were retired. It's as if they just disappeared, so it's hard to say what may have become of them. It might be possible that they've ended up stored away somewhere but I am more inclined to believe that they were scrapped out for their material content.
The 72 Fw190s Turkey received, were the A-3 (designated Aa-3 for "auslandisch" - foreign) and were delivered with the standard MG17, but no cannon. They also had the FuG VIIa two-way radions, but not the FuG25 IFF system. The block numbers ran from 0134101 to 0134172 (Arado, Focke-Wulf and Ago production)
The aircraft were assigned to the TAF 5th Fighter Regiment, based out of Eskisehir AB. The 5th FR was divided into 4 Filos (squadrons) which were nicknamed after hair color: Blondes (Sarybas), Brunettes (Karabas), Redheads (Albas) and Grayhaired (Akbas). The Fw190's spinners were painted to reflect each Filo's color.
They remained in service as late as 1949, but were retired after purchasing 170 Spitfires (Mk.IX and Mk.XIX) from Britain and 180 P-47Ds from the U.S. It's also interesting to note that the TAF also received Mosquitos, B-26s and a variety of other types, during and after the war.
There virtually no word of what happened to those Fw190s after they were retired. It's as if they just disappeared, so it's hard to say what may have become of them. It might be possible that they've ended up stored away somewhere but I am more inclined to believe that they were scrapped out for their material content.
- Thread starter
- #6
Would be nice if some turned up....
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
They had quite a collection of world aircraft, like Curtiss CW-21 and other uncommon types.
And what happened to all their Spitfires, Hurricanes and P-47s?
fahrens
Airman
Two photos of the A-26C in the Turkish AF. Number 1 - Caption reads " This is the only know photo of a THK B-26C, showing number 7420 of 223. Filo, circa 1953. This unit used the Invader as a target-tug and all armament has been removed, although the barbettes are still in place. (Source: THK History Branch via B. Yilmazer). Number 2 - Caption reads "A well-known view of THK Invader 7441. The aircraft carries no unit designator or badge, probably indicating that it was photographed soon after its arrival in Turkey. (THK History via A. Kurter)"
According to the THK History Branch, Turkey had several hundred aircraft following WW2, and when the accompanying issue of parts, and maintenance stores, arose the decision was often to cannibalize until no worth was found. The remaining was then scrapped in the local markets.
According to the THK History Branch, Turkey had several hundred aircraft following WW2, and when the accompanying issue of parts, and maintenance stores, arose the decision was often to cannibalize until no worth was found. The remaining was then scrapped in the local markets.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Here's a TAF B-26B (circa 1949) - they had 28 units operating until 1958.
And a TAF B-26C (circa mid-50's) - they had 17 units operating until 1958.
Hurricane Mk.IIB - operational from 1942 to 1947
The Turkish Air Force actually had quite an interesting collection of world aircraft from the war years (1939 - 1945): U.S., British, Netherlands, French, German, Russian and Polish.
And a TAF B-26C (circa mid-50's) - they had 17 units operating until 1958.
Hurricane Mk.IIB - operational from 1942 to 1947
The Turkish Air Force actually had quite an interesting collection of world aircraft from the war years (1939 - 1945): U.S., British, Netherlands, French, German, Russian and Polish.
Wildcat
Major
Found this shot of a Turkish Tomahawk.
source [urlhttp://www.ww2incolor.com/d/700682-2/TURKISH-P40-COLOR-PHOTOBUCKET][/url]
source [urlhttp://www.ww2incolor.com/d/700682-2/TURKISH-P40-COLOR-PHOTOBUCKET][/url]
fubar57
General
Just finished reading an article that said the aircraft were used until they broke. Then the broke aircraft were cannibalized for parts. Once the parts supply dried up and the remaining aircraft couldn't be repaired, they were scrapped.
Geo
Geo
Users who are viewing this thread
Similar threads
