May 1st: Tigers over Rangoon (re-design with Ki-43) Wildcat1
The Old Man stressed these comparisons so that in combat we would make best use
of the strengths of our plane against the weaknesses of the Zero. The P-40 had the
advantage in a dive and superior firepower, whereas the Zero could climb faster, turn
sharper, and cruise higher. Chennault trained us to attain height speeds by descending
on the enemy, closing in, firing, and peeling off. Our greatest defensive strength in
combat was the power dive. He also warned us always to fly in pairs - stick together.
May 8th: Flying with Lucchini Molsman
Franco Lucchini cut his teeth in the Spanish Civil War earning 5 victories. During WWII he shot down 21 more aircraft to become one of Italy's top aces. Much of his time was spent in the Macchi MC-200 fighters, but in late 1941 the 10 Gruppo was reequipped with the MC-202 fighter. After a training period they were reassigned to Sicily. Most of Lucchini's victories were the Curtiss Tomahawks, but he also shot down some Spitfires, and a Douglass Boston. On October 24th he was injured and when he was finally released from the hospital to return to 10 Gruppo the Axis had been defeated in North Africa and the focus was on defending Sicily from the impending Allied invasion
May 15th: Last Day at Lexington Wildcat1
As the Sun rose on May 8th many pilots aboard Task Force 17 especially the
Lexington did not know what the days events would later entail upon them. As
they had the previous day, The Air groups of the Lexington and the Yorktown
were going to launch again.
May 22nd: Skeeter Season 68raptor
May 29th: Retaliation Wildcat1
It is late 1943, and the siege of Leningrad has been broken. The VVS (Soviet Air Force) has been attacking the Germans in full swing. The P-39D's and Q's of the VVS were battle hardened. They were prime escorts and ground attackers. Soviet Bombers of the Red Air Force, such as the IL-2, were also ready to strike back against the Germans. In this snapshot, we will recreate a Soviet attack on a German airbase.
