- Yes
- No
Description: During the 20 febreuary 1943 after took of from libya, The USAAF B24 41-23659 “Blonde Bomber II” took part to a bombardment raid on the city of Naples. After the raid the aircraft was damaged and i was not able to return on libya. The crew decided to try to land on the airfield of malta but for mistook on the airfield of Pachino. The pilot uderstood the error to late and he tried to re-take of witouth succes. The aircraft was seized by italian forces and captured. This one was probably the best captured aircrarft that Italy ever got during ww2. After the allies realized the the bomber did’nt returned to the base, it was spotted at the airport and attacked various time by the aircrafts based on malta. The aircraft was damaged but was later repaired when the technicians and engineers from Guidonia started to work
from the 24 february 1943. It flews with Italian markings for the first time in the 4 of march with the pilot Giovanni Raina. During the Italian service the aircraft used german gasoline since the Italian one resulted corrosive for the american engines. despite the Italian marking, the aircraft was soubject of an attack by an Italian ainty aircraft battery since from the far distance they only saw the shape of the aircraft. All the damage were repaired when the aircraft arrived at Guidonia. In the 19 june of 1943 under German request the aircraft was sended to Munich for test. During those test the German pilots intentionally broke the gear of the aircraft so it was not able to return to Italy. It was left in that airport and it’s fate when the allies get again theyr hands on it is unkwown.
Why it should be in the game: Italy is very lacking in the bomber repartment and this one will be a very solide premiun addition since other aircraft such as japanese B17 and german Wellington are alredy in game.
Specifications:
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Engine: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 Twin Wasp, 14-cylinder radial, air-cooled, 1,200 hp
Wingspan: 110 ft 8 in (33.52 m)
Length: 66 ft 4 in (20.22 m)
Height: 17 ft 11 in (5.46 m)
Weight: 60,000 lb (27,216 kg) (Loaded)
Maximum Speed: 303 mph (488 km/h)
Ceiling: 32,000 ft (9,750 m)
Range: 2,850 miles (4,585 km)
Armament:
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10x 12.7 mm machine guns
8,800 lb (4,000 kg) of bombs
Crew: 8-10
Sources
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http://www.historicalab.it/blonde_bomber_ii.htm
https://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/B24D/B24_CapturedLiberator_GL.html
https://www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-military-photographs/captured-consolidated-b-24-liberator-bombers/
https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/italian-forces/38247/captured-b-24-blond-bomber-ii
http://www.historicalab.it/B24_Liberator.htm
Pictures:
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Machinegun disposition on this model
