What will be your plane of choice in BoM...

[BGs_Ricky]

I-153 with some rockets, perfect to wreck havoc on german convoys.

[smink1701]

Early P-51...Cadillac of the sky, brother.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by smink1701

Early P-51...Cadillac of the sky, brother.

I hate wikipedia as a diffinative source but just a quick look :

Soviet Union
The Soviet Union received at least 10 early-model ex-RAF Mustang Is and tested but found them to "under-perform" compared to contemporary USSR fighters, relegating them to training units. Later Lend-Lease deliveries of the P-51B/C and D series along with other Mustangs abandoned in Russia after the famous "shuttle missions" were repaired and used by the Soviet Air Force, but not in front-line service.

Shuttle missions?


Bf109F

[PolishEagle1939]

Yak-3

[julien673]

Mig 3

[TomcatViP]

Shuttle missions

To reach some deep target in the 3rd Reich, the B17 and B24 had to land in Russian held territories. Then after refill rest and repair they flew back in England attacking target on their way back home.

The P51 was the only fighter capable of escorting the bombers all the way and had to land on VVS base where they were ordered to handle the protection of the Bomber's base to the Soviets. Some of the mission flown from North Africa also landed in Russia.

One day a Reconnaissance Ju88/188 followed the bombers down to their Russian base and the night after the Luftwaffe flew on of its most daring night raid attacking the bombers base destroying something like 30/50 B17. It was the deadliest attack the 8th air force had to suffer.

Interestingly some of the soon to be major generals after the war of the Bomber command (the SAC) were on station at that time in Russia. It is said that the inabilities of the Soviet armed force to protect the bomber and their crew had a detrimental effect on their perception of the Russian military system that can be routed in their aggressive strategy toward the VVS in the 50's and early 60's.

There was also some missions where the bomber taking off in England flew Sth across Europe after their bombing raid down-to North Africa.

Back OT : I will flew with pleasure a well modeled I-16

[6BL Bird-Dog]

I-16 & iL2 Field Mod.

[Heinz Laube]

Ju88A-4 and Fw190

[MoGas]

BF-109F as soon FW`s arrive, FW`s all the way...

[ATAG_Doc]

I-16