One of the things I most appreciate about the FSO and the CMs that
work hard is the historical study they put into it and share with the rest of us:
Allied Aces
FRAME 1 - Alexandr Klubov - P-39Q - Klubov joined the VVS in 1939.In November of 1942 while flying an I-153, he crash landed and was horribly burned. He returned to combat with 16 GIAP in May of 1943 flying the P-39. He was very successful with the P-39 and shot down several aircraft in the Crimea. Klubov was killed in landing accident while transition to the La-7 in November of 1944. At the time of his death he was credited with 31 individual and 19 shared victories and awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union twice, the second posthumously.
FRAME 2 - Mikahil Ivanovich Grib - Yak-9T - Grib flew 500 sorties throughout the Great Patriotic War. During the desperate defense of Sevastopol in 1942 he gained four victories. He was awarded the HSU that November of 1942. he would see heavy action in the Crimean campaign and shot down several aircraft during this time. His final score by wars end, by which time he had risen from a Lt to CO of 6 GIAP 3rd Squadron was 17 victories and 4 shared.
FRAME 3 - Grigoriy Rechkalov - P-39Q - Rechkalov saw his first combat on the first day of the war flying an I-153 his first kill 5 days later against a Hs 126. At the end of 1942 the 16 GIAP was re-equipped with the P-39 and was awarded the Gold Star of the HSU on May 24th, 1943. He was removed from command in May 1944 for pursuing the enemy alone yet still was awarded his second HSU two months later. He ws credited with 56 confirmed victories and 6 shared. He passed away September 21, 1990.
Axis Aces
FRAME 1 - Alexandru Şerbănescu - Bf 109G-2 or G-6 - Şerbănescu was a veteran of the Stalingrad Front. Between June and August of 1943 he shot down 28 Soviet Aircraft and was awarded the highest Romanian military decoration, Order of Michael the Brave. Şerbănescu fought against the Soviets in the Southern sector until American Allied aircraft started appearing in the skies over Romania. He was killed August 18th 1944 by American Mustangs and Lightnings. He was credited with 47 confirmed kills and 8 probables.
FRAME 2 - August Lambert - Fw 190A-5 or F-8 - Lambert joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 and was a flight instructor. In 1943 he flew with SG2 in the Crimea and he alone accounted for 70 kills in in 3 weeks. Including 3 double digit streaks of 12, 14 and 17 in single days! Lambert was awarded the Knights Cross on May 14, 1944. He would return to instructing but would be back at the front in the final weeks of the war. He was killed by American Mustangs on April 17, 1945.
FRAME 3 - Constantin Cantacuzino - Bf 109G-2 or G-6 - Cantacuzino was a skilled aerobatics pilot before the war and joined the ARR when the war began. He began the war flying the Hurricane Mk I and after the capture of Odessa was sent home. He returned to active duty in 1943 but became sick and was sent home once again. He returned once again in Feb 1944 and succeeded Şerbănescu in command of the 9th FG after his death. Cantacuzino would join the fight against the Germans after Romania left the Axis. He would be credited with 43 confirmed kills and 11 probable. He passed away in 1958.
Thanks!
