C.202 First Early War Aircraft in AH?

[Westy]

 Pongo are you psychic? Have you seen the newly released screen shot of the Spit Vb ???

 <westy slowly rubs temples in concentration>

 I see....

  a feint and blurry image ...

     thru the haze...

        could it be a....

  GLADIATOR?????


 (not likely but.. hey <shrug> )

[funked]

USSR built more warplanes than Italy and Germany combined.  But we have two German types, two Italian types, and one Soviet type?  WTF?  How about some historically significant aircraft?

[Pongo]

Wow. I mean of course I got it right...
Historically signifigant?
I am sure the Yak series will be in there in time...Give these guys a break look at the rate they are releasing planes.....

Dol. quick count of fronts that the Brits, and Americans were involved in....
Its not like taking on Russia but one of the most interesting things about Malta is the ongoing attempts to get enough resources there..
It is a disservice to the defenders to imply (imho)that Malta was a victory by default...and that the Germans - Italians could have taken it with more focus or if they hadnt been called away...
They where defeated. They put some very big pushes on to capture it. Many of the countries that the Germans had allready fought would have surrendered at Malta, but the Brits there did not.

Given the whole focused might of the LW could the Germans have taken it....I dont know..where they willing to lose all those resources trying?
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Pongo

[This message has been edited by Pongo (edited 01-25-2000).]

[leonid]

I'm really happy to see the C.202 come to AH.  Very nice  


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leonid
129 IAP VVS RKKA

[JEJ]

There was radar at Malta. GCI was handled from Valletta, they could spot enemy formations forming up over Sicily.

Sources: several, most recent I've read is Laddie Lucas' "The Malta Story".

[gatt]

I've red the book "Hell's island": impressive. Didnt know the fight over Malta has been so tuff.

[Sorrow[S=A]]

I remember reading the book "Faith, Hope and Charity" years ago, it chronicled the three Gladiators that fought over Malta for the initial aerial bombardment and attacks. For a period of time these 4 planes, flying in a group of 3 on 1 landed held off literally the entire Italian airforce. They were modified so the WEP was permanently on and were incredibly manueverable. I think their kills were modest but their k/d ratio was beyond belief. There is still on display in Malta in the museum. The others were all destroyed by the end of the war.

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If your in range, so is the enemy.

[gatt]

Leonid, your right  

Macchi fighters fought over North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Balkans, and over the whole Italy from 1943 on both with allied and axis forces. C.205s and Fiat G.55s often clashed with escorted B-24 and B-17 formations over northern Italy. They will a very good addition for every scenario we will play in the Med theatre.

C.202s even fought over Russia during the attack against Stalingrad. According to some sources their k/d ratio was outstanding. Can you dig out any figure about that?