mC ETO ey coe) Romanian Fighter Colours OseTech litin Moxos DanyAlexandruyMelinte; Fightera@olours 1941 119.4 5)Fighter aircraft in Romanian servic . PZLPAL. PZLP.24.. Hawker Hurricane Mk... Heinkel He 112E. TAR 80/81. ‘Messerschmitt Bf 109E.. ‘Messerschmitt BE 109G. Messerschmitt BE 110... Captured fighter aircraft in Romanian service ‘MiG-3 early type.. Polikarpov I-16 type 29 Focke-Wulf 190 F-8. Focke-Wulf 190 A-8 This book is dedicated to all Romanian Fighter pilots who bravely fought in WW2, challenging the most powerful nations of the world in defence of their homeland, and especially honours those who were killed in action. Their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten. in the picture! Do you have photographs of historical aircraft, airfields in ation, or original and unusual stores to tll? [MMP would like t hear from you! We welcome previously unpublished material that will help to make MMP thebestof their kind. We will return original photos to you and provide fll credit for your images. Contact efore sending us any valuable material: rogerw@mmpbooks bizWe wish to extend our deep and sincere thanks to the many people who were so helpful tous. George Cicos and Vasile Tudor gave us considerable help with the original documents and, from Pitesti Military Archives. Prof. Valeiu Avram provided much valuable information and photographs from Military Aviation Museum Bucharest. Claudiu Stumer very helpfully provided the nice photos from Scully Loghotteti collection. Dénes Bernd was most helpful with useful information for the first chapters of the book ing PZL P.11/24 and He 112 war activity and was quite generous with his photographic mater ‘Tomasz J. Kopariski, Marek Rogusz gave us considerable help by providing many rare photographs. José Fernandez provided us with many rare photographs. Dan Antonin most helpfully and generously opened his archives of documents and photog providing much useful information particularly concerning the IAR 80/81 fighter aircraft. He was sery helpful by providing the rare wartime color photos made by Lt. 8x loan Tulea and by Lt. Emil Turcas. 4 Razvan Bujor’s help was of critical importance by providing valuable photos from the collection of his father C-dor Au: Bujor Constantin. Radu Brinzan labored with excellence and dedication on the Appendices about the Romanian avige tion unit structure and rank hierarchy and the chart with dimension and types of crosses and round cls used on Romanian Fighter aircraft. Furthermore, apart from helping with the translation, he also helped withthe analysis of camouflage and markings and a variety of technical advice. It would not have been possible to write this book without the help of written records or siven to us by veterans airmen of the Romanian Fighter Groups, especially G-ral. Av (t) Ion Da C-dor. Av (e) Marinciu Ioan, G-ral. Av (t) loan Di Cesare, C-dor Aw. (t) Galea loan, C-dor Ax Simionescu Toan, C-dor Av. (t) Morane Iosif, C-dor Av. Gavriliu Vasile We would also like to thank the following friends, fellow aviation historians and enthusiasts their co-operation: G-ral Av (t) Dan Stoian, arh. Mihai Andrei, Cornel Marandiuc, Victor Nip Tarilungd, Cornel Nastase, Toader Tudor, Ovidiu George Man, Alex Arma, and Andrei Zincenca, -Aeronautica Militara - Military Aeronautics ‘Aeronautica Regal Romana - Romanian Royal Air Force *ASAM - acronym of Asociatia Stabilimentelor Aeronautic Militare - Association of Aeronautics Establishments -BoPi - abbreviation of “Bombardier in Picaj” - Dive Bomber Comandamentul Aeronauticii Militare - Military Aeronautics Command -LA.R - acronym of Industria Aeronautica Romina - Romanian Aeronautical Industry -MAM - acronym of Ministenal Aenuui si Marine - Ministry of Air and Navy, until 1947 -§MA - acronym of Statul Major al Aenului - Air Chief of Staff “SSA - acronym of Subsecretariatul de Stat al Aenului- State Under Secretariate for the Ait -$cVt. - abbreviation of Scoala de Vnatoare - Fighter Aviation School ‘Scoala Militari de Aviatie - Military Aviation Vandtoare - when translated literally, it means “to hunt” and was used in association with ‘number of specialties of the Romanian armed forces. When used in an aviation context, it med “Fighter aviation”, often abbreviated to Vt... The Fw 190s* had a very dark camouflage. They had yellow crosses on the upperside of each yellow and black checker board below the canopy on the fuselage and red, white and yellow hori stripes on the vertical stabilizer. There was also a yellow band around the nose on the cowling. -MA 205s* had red and yellow stripes on the wing, ared nose and a chocolate brown fuselage. Both Fw 190s and the MA 205s' wore vivid colors; the painting could not properly be called camouflage itis made the planes much more conspicuous.” Extracts from mission report Na, 26, 52nd FG, 15th USAAF, 23 June 1944, ‘On 22 june 1941, when Romania entered the war againt the USSR as anally of Germany, the ‘military aviation had 250 fighter aircraft service. " Fortthree consecutive years, the Romanian fighter units fought the Soviet forces, effectively con- ing to the liberation of the Romanian provinces of Northern Bukovina and Bessarabia, go- all the way to Odessa and then on to great battles ofthe Stalingrad and Crimean Front. From ist 1943, a new and powerful foe made its appearance in the skies of Romania, the USAAF. with April 1944, for five months the Romanian home defence fighters were engaged ha deadly fight with the American aircraft. They fought an uneven battle outnumbered 1:5 and ed severe losses in the face of more powerful aircraft such as the P-38 Lightning and P-51 From 23 August 1944, Romania joined the Allies and sent the survivors of the “American 9 to fight the most experienced airforce of the time, the Luftwaffe. it Command recorded between 1941-1945 more than 1,200 aerial victories, scored by Romanian aces such as the prince Cipitan Av. Constantin Cantacuzino with 57 victories, Capitan Au. Alexandru Serbinescu with 55 victories, Adjutant Ax. loan Milu th 30 victories, Adjutant Au Ion Mucenica with 22 victories, Locotenent Ax: Tudor Greceanu with ‘victories, Sit.Au loan Dicezare with 16 victories, Ofifer de echipaj Ax Maga loan with 15 victo- Gipitan Ax, Popescu Ciocinel with 13 victories, Locotenent Au: Dobran lon with 11 victories soon. Fighter aviation in World War 2 has always been a fascinating subject and an endless source of piration for the authors of aviation books. Specialised publications feature beautiful and excel- illustrations of aircraft belonging to the belligerent nations such as USA, Germany, USSR, UK, neetc. Although the operational activity of the Romanian fighter aviation has been well out- ed in a number of references, the camouflage and markings of Romanian fighters were seldom bed wel o illustrated accurately “Thus was born the idea ofthis book, featuring in its pages no less than 100 profiles of Romanian aircraft that took part in the Second World War between 1941 and 1945. For each aircraft, the camouflage scheme and the markings are described succinctly and illus- ed in colour. The profiles are accompanied by explanatory text about the unit thatthe aircraft ed in and information about the pilots who flew them. Also, the book contains more than 150 ck & white and colour photographs, many of them never published before. ‘The operational activity has not been neglected either and this is presented in a compact for- fn the case of each aircraft. In addition, in the annexes is explained the structure of the avia- n units and the rank hierarchy with their British equivalents. Scale modellers are not ignored, for ‘we include a chart with the dimensions and types of crosses and roundels used on Romanian aircraft. Another annexe presents a table with the types of colours identified by codes that assist model builders. The information used in putting together this book represents the sum of all the efforts made ‘many years by researchers of Romanian aviation history, either professional historians or enthusiasts passionate about the subject. "The bibliography consulted included aviation books, magazine articles, documents from the hlitary and civilian archives as wel a the pilot logbooks, journals and memories of veteran pilots. The Authors American aviators had difculty in correctly identifying the aircraft they met over Romania, In general, Romanian IAR-80/81 fighter aircraft were misidentified as German Fw190 aircraft or Italian aircaft such fas Fiat G-50, Macchi 200, Reggiane 2000 etc. The Romanian Bf 109 fighters were misidentified as Italian ‘Macchi 202 or Macchi 205 fightersFighter aircraft in Romanian service PZL P.11 Fifty PZL P.11b aircraft were produced for the Aeronautica Regal Romana and delivered in 932. Apart from the Gnome-Rhone 9Krsd (595 HP) engines, they were similar to P.L1a, After the development of P.1lc, Aer model at IAR Brasox. As a powered by the Gnome-Rhone 9Krse (610 HP) engine Regalé Roménd decided to buy a licence and produce the new sult, beginning in 1936 IAR Brasov built 70 IAR type P.1 If aireraft On 22 June 1941, when the first campaign started, two groups of Flotila 3 Vindtoare were equipped with the PZL P.11: Grupul 3 Vindtoare commanded by Lt. C-dor Av. Teodor Munteants and Gnipul 4 Vandtoare commanded by Lt. C-dor Av. Niculescu Dumitru, (On 28 June 1941, at dawn, the two squadrons of Grupul 4 Vindtoare carried out a raid against a heavy Soviet artillery division at Giurgiulesti. The P.11f aircraft bombed and strafed the enemy position one after the other, flying in line astern. Cpt, Av. Dumitru Rata (Commander of the group) recalls: “It was an extraordinary and unforgettable sig (On the same day, in the afternoon, four P.11s of Escadrila 49, Gupul 4 Vindtoare, were flying a uit 15 1-16 fight- bomber escort mission. Close to the target, near Vulcinesti, they encountered ab rs (Ratas, the nickname given to thes After a brief dog Au, Nicolae Chiru, Sit aircraft in Spain) of 67 LAP . the Romanian pilots achieved three confirmed victories claimed by Ope Au: Bujor Botezat, and Adj. Au Gheorghe Hipaianu, Two of the P.le ait craft (former Polish refugee aircraft) were shot down by I-16s. The Squadron commander, Cpt Nicolae Chiru flying No, 306, and Serg.TR Av. Aurel Bogdan flying No, 309 (formerly Polish No. 8-148) were killed in action. After shooting down one I-16, Chira crashed west of Vuledinesti and: Bogdan fell at Vadul lui Isac near Brates Lake Grp of pil cadets of Clitas Flying School during the summer of (1942. Im the background PZLPICNo.311 «with the spinner removed, (Dan Antoni cll yOn 29 June 1941, the engine of an ex- polish P.1 1c, No. 311 flown by Serg. TR Av. loan Vane failed while it was on the return leg from a combat sortie. The pilot force-landed his plane 7 km: north of Vaslui without serious damage A particularly bad day for the P.11fighter-equiped Gr Vi. was 8 July 1941. The mission wasto cover the pontoon bridge over Prut River, between Leca and Tiganca. At 14.00 they were bounced by twelve Soviet fighters. Two P.11fs, No. 78 and No.140, were lost in combat with thee pilot, Seng TR Au Constantin Bolea who fell at Tirtul, and Serg. TR Au: Eduard Dumitrescu who was report edly shot dead while descending with his parachute The squadron commander of Esc 50 Vt, Cpt. Av. Gheorghe Tifescu returned to base with dif ficulty with his heavily damaged aircraft. Two other P.11s returned home with thei airframes ride dled with bullet holes. One of them, No, 318 flown by Adj Stag. Ax Victor Dumbrav, forceslanded causing further damage. Despite the heavy losses, the P.11 pilots claimed four individual and one shared victory against the Soviet Ratas. Cpt. Au Gheorghe Tifescu claimed one individual victory cover Tiganca and another victory shared with St. Au Florin Sobiesky.Serg. TR Au Constantin Bolea killed in the dogfight) was officially credited with a Soviet fighter shot down at Biimclia, while the claim made by Adj. Ax Gheorghe Hapaianu remained unconfirmed, Finally, the last 1-16 report edly shot down could not be attributed to any pilot and so was credited to entire staff of Esc, 50. On 12 July 1941, Sit. Au. Joan Gheorghe of Gr.3 Vi, Esc. 44, flying a P.11f, in a dogfight over the Tigheciu-Viginesti area managed to shot down one Soviet fighter, which reportedly crashed one km south of Larguta, ‘One unidentified twin-engine Soviet bomber was claimed on 13 July 1941, over Ramnicul Sarat by Adj. Au Constantin Dimache Gr 4Vt, Esc 46, lying PZL 11F No, 122. On 19 July 1941, Pal fighters of Escadrila 46, Grupul 4 Vindtoare strafed Communist partisan positions near Hincesti Partisans regularly attacked Axis installations including the fighter group airfield located near the: Romanian P.11f aircraft of Grupul 4 Vindtoare, while escorting a reconnais- sance aircraft, clashed with several Soviet I-16s. One confirmed victory was claimed by Adj. $eP AW Gheorghe Munteanu north of Rosi dnt led by Offer de echipaj Av. Constantin Sosea. However, seconds later Sosea's P.11f No. 89 was shot down, kille while another victory was attributed to ing the pilot. (On 7 August 1941, P.11fs of Gr4Vt. attacked an airfield in the Mikhailova-Katarzhino (Catargi) area, where they claimed seven Soviet aircraft machine-gunned on the ground, Several of the Romanian P.11s were hit by AA fire but were all able to reach friendly territory. P.11f No. 101 flown by Serg. TR Au: Joan V the main undercarriage inci, had to force-land at Pechea in the Covorlui region, destroying Romanian Pc of Clas Fghter Schoo! airfield, sommer 1943. [Note theex-Polsh Lublin NII and the Nandi EN 305 aircraft parked in the backround. (Razvan Bujor coll)Aline of B80 fromt of the hangar of Caras sified The ist two planes wore the Pinocchio ‘emblem painted om the lft side of the fuselage. (Dan Antonin coll) [Nice shot ofa PZL Palle from Clas Fighter School (Rizvan Bajor coll) ‘Next day, both P11 groups (3rd and 4th) were very active over the front, engaged fn strafing, Soviet positions and troops: Between 10107 and 12.00, they were bounced by'Soviet Ratas. In the tensting battle, P.11f No. 60 flown by Serg. TR Au. Nicolae Macri was hit in the oil radiator and had. to force-land 5 km east of Mikhailova. Between 11.15 and 12.20 a dogf ht developed between four Pills of Esc. 43 Vt. and four Ratas near Catargi. The Romanian pil , Sit. Ax, Dumitrescu (fight Yeader), Adj. Ax: Joan Grama, Adj. Ax loan Bosinceanu and Adj. Stag. Av. Dumitru Gheorghe (i PAlFNo, 58) claimed one Soviet I-16 shot down 5 km south of Catargi On 9 August 1941, at 10.30 hour, a Ese. 46, led by Sit. Au Mihail Bulat shot down two Ratas out of nine encountered fargi and Buzinovo, The two victories ‘were credited to the entire flight, which also comprised Adj. Stag. Av. Eugen Fulga, Adj. Stag. Av Aurel Vintila and Serg. TR Av. loan Vanc Soviet fighters between Mikhailova and Buzin 0, seven P.1 1fs of Gr4¥. Esc.64 clashed with 18 By the end of the fight, the Romanians hadshot down three I-16s. They were officially credited jointly to Cpt. A Dumitra Rata (leader), Adj ‘Au Constantin Dimache and to Adj. Stag. Av’s Aurel Vintila, loan Zaverdeanu and Eugen Fulga, However inthe fight Lt. Au Constantin Agarici was wounded and force landed his damaged P.116, No. 324, 10 km south-west of Catargi in friendly territory. On 12 August 1941, Gr 4 Vt. was recalled to its homeland. The best remaining P.11 fighters and the airworthy PZL P.24 were transferred to the sister group Gr. 3 Vt, while the rest returned to Romania. On 17 August 1941, a flight of P.11fs led by Cpt. Ax Dan Vizanti attacked a Soviet armoured, train neat Vygoda station, claiming the destruction of two wagons and the locomotive. On 21 August 1941, two P.11f of Gr 3V¢. were damaged in combat with eight Soviet fighters cast of Vygoda. However, their pilots Adj. Stag. Av. Gheorghe Glod flying No. 90 and Slt. Ax Mircea Dumitrescu flying No. 136 were able to land safely at Elzas airfield ‘On 27 August 1941, between 05.20 and 07.00, .11s of Esc 43Vt. of Gr.3VE. flew a combat mis= sion in the Volanovka-Vakarzhani area. Over Vygoda, they clashed with 12 Soviet fighters attack ing a Romanian artillery position. Ina ten-minute combat, three I-16s were shot down by east and north-west of Vygoda, confirmed by the ground troops. The claims were made by Adj. Av. Dumitna Niculescu, Adj. Stag. Av. Ion Dimache and Adj. Stag. Av. losif Ciuhulescu. Also Serg. TR AKMircea Mazilu made one claim but it was not confirmed. One of the P.1 fs (No. 93) was lost to enemy fighters but the pilot, Adj. Stag. Av. Gheorghe Glod, was rescued, having suffered leg wounds. (On 28 August 1941, between 08.10 and 09.30, P.11fs of Gr. 3 Vt. clashed with Soviet fighters during a strafing mission in the Andreyeva-Gniliakovo-Vaicirjani area. After shooting down two of the Soviet fighters, Adj. Stag. Av. loan’Florea of Esc. 43 ran out of ammunition and used his pro= pelle to hit one of the opposing Ratas. He bailed out of his stricken P.11f No.137 and landed in. no-man’s land. He returned to his unit where he was hailed as a hero. Three other pilots of the same squadron claimed further victories on this day. Cpt. C-dor Traian Picea scored one victory in the Andreyeva-Gniliakovo-Vacarjani area. Adj Stag. Av. Vasile Cofoi was victorious 2 Km west of Dalnik and Serg. TR Av. Nicolae Macri scored one victory 3 km from Peterstahl. Between 13,00 and 14,30, during a ground attack at Vygoda, the P.11fs from Gr. 3 Ve. Ese 45 were bounced from above by a Soviet I-16 formation. After reportedly shooting down one Rata, Adj. Stag. Au. Ton Grama, flying PZL. P.11f No. 58, was pursued down to treetop level by an E16 flown by Lt. LS. Berishvli. In the end Grama, while trying to avoid the bullets, crashed into the ground near Karlstad. Berishvili in close pursuit, also cashed within seconds of his victim. Over Griliakovo, Sit. Au: Mircea Dumitrescu claimed one double victory and Aa. Stag Av. lon Dimacheshot down one I-16 north of Dalnik. Adj. Stag. Av. osif Ciuhulescu and Serg. TR Av. Mircea Mazilu A Fighter School strc aimed one probable victory each north of Dalnik tor posing near a Ph, Between 16.55 and 17.40 hours, a flight of P.24s from Esc. 62 was overwhelmed by eight Soviet Ghinsar- Bro iid, E16s. The P.24 pilots were then rescued by a P.1 ij Stag. A Stefan Dumitrescu summer 1942. Note the and Serg. TR Av. Romeo Neacsu, who dived on the Soviet fighters shooting down two of them and unusual big dimensions of damaging a third, the Michael Cross painted The flight comprising of Sit Av om the fuselage. Fulga and Serg. TR Au Mirc (Dan Antonia coll) The da fone joint probable victories. This achievement featured in the Order of Day No. 49/28.08.1941, cing the others to retreat ile Bogza, Slt. Av. Mircea Dumitrescu, Adj. Stag. Av. Emil Mazilu damaged one Rata in the Vacarjani area ore for the PZL fighter pilots totalled a record of 16 confirmed, four probable and Right A, Av. Dimache posing for apc. In ‘the background sis IfNo, 7. sedis 48, Grupal 3 Vinitoare, ‘Baden ciel, seme wa. (Dan Antonin coll)(On 9 July 194, A Av. ‘Grama Toa during take off with PFN. 116, hit ‘the left wing of PIP No. 75 and crashed on Vasa stirfeld, (Denes Bernad col) which remarked: “Up to this day, Flt day in a fierce battle with : h ‘PLIFNo. 75 parked on (On 29 August 1941, between 17.00 and 18.30, during a mission in the Dalnik-Vicdrjani aneay Baden field, Note PLE pilots of Gr3V1, Esc43 cain ut of a formation of 15. Both victories were ered the unusual poston of ited to Adj. Au loan Dimache, who claimed his fourth confirmed victory. the axis yellow band, (On Sunday 31 August, P.11fs of Gr 3Vt. were performing a groun psinted in the middle on Dalnik- Freudenthal area when they were bounced by Soviet fighters. Inthe ensuing dogfight one: fuselage and he diferent Rata was claimed by a Av. Cristu Cristu, Adj Stag Av Dumitru Niculescu, Adj mension ofthe Michael Stag. (r) Av Iosif Chiuhulescu and Adj. Stag. (1) Av. loan Nicola Crosson he wpper Three further individual victories were claimed in combat. Sit. Av. Cristu Cristu claimed one surface of the wing. Soviet fighter shot down 4 km west of Freudenthal, while Lt. Av. loan Ivancevici and Adj. Stag. AY. (Dan Antonin coll) SR ee > ab ae |ile Cotoi shot down one opponent each between Dalnik and Freudenthal. P.11f No. 64 (Esc was lost in combat but St. Av. Mircea Dumitrescu bailed out. While descending he was repeat- shot at by Soviet fighter pilots. Wounded in the hand, he landed safely and rejoined his unit. On 2 September 1941, in a dogfight with Soviet fighters, Adj. Av. Vasile Cofoi was killed af- Scoring one victory against a Rata. His P.11f No 102 was downed $ km north of Freudenthal. ‘On 6 September 1941, during a ground attack mission with Gr 3Vt, Serg. TR Ax: Nicolae Macri med one Rata shot down out of six I-16s encountered near Dalnik. ‘On 11 September 1941 a flight led by Sit. Av. Cristu Cristu clashed with approximately ten I-16s two which reportedly crashed 2 km south-east of Dalnik. Only one was confirmed. All embers of the flight, leader Cristu, Adj. Av. Dumitru Niculescu. Adj. Ax: Iosif Ciuhulescu and Adj Ay. Ioan Nicola were credited with one shared victory ‘On 13 September the same flight led by Cristu Cristi shot down one Soviet bomber 3 km est of Gniliakovo. It was followed by one of the Ratas escorting the bombers. Lt Av, Cristu, Adj. Av. Dumitru Niculescu, Adj. Av. loan Dimache and Ad.Av. Ciubulescu the destruction of the bomber, while Adj. Av. Dumitrescu Niculescu, Adj. Av. loan Nicola Seg. Av. Mircea Mazilu shared the Soviet fighter. ‘On 15 September, Adj. Stag. Av. loan Nicola of Esc. 43 Gr. 3Vt. shot down one Rata north-west Gross Liebenthal. Next day another aerial victory, one Rata, was claimed jointly by a P.11 flight iby Sit. Av. Vasile Bogza along with Adj. Stag. Av. Eugen Fulga and Adj. Stag. Av. loan Nicola. On 17 September, the squadron commander of Ese 43, Cpt. Av. Dan Vizanti, shot down one it fighter south-east of Tatarka. Two P.11 flights of Esc 43 and Esc 44 were credited with three ed and one probable victory against Ratas. The Soviet fighters were all reported to have near Tatarka. The victories were awanded individually to Sit. Av. Titus Gheorghe Ionescu, Ay. Stefan Nicoara and Adj. Stag. Av. Mihai Mihordea. One victory claimed by Adj. Av. loan Enciulescu remained unconfirmed. Another Soviet fighter also claimed by Adj. Av. Dumitru Niculescu of Gr. 3Vt Next day, at 15.25 hours, Cpt. Av. Mihail Sandru flying a P.11f claimed one Rata shot down [west of Sukhoi Liman. A member of Aero Armata 4, originally assigned to a desk job, Sandra in- ed on being temporarily assigned to a combat fighter unit. His victory was officially confirmed ‘Onder of the Day No. 130. After the first campaign, all P.11 fighters were relegated to training duties and sent to Fighter ools in Rimnicu Strat, Turnu-Severin, Calarasi and Ghimbav - Brasox. Between 1942 and1943, ls were used as trainers by many Romanian fighter pilots who would gain ace status during 1944 while lying the IAR 81C and Bf 109G.PZL P.11 Camouflage and markings used by Aeronautica alike). Prior to the 1941 With a long career in Romanian service (from 1933), the PZL P.11 rypes of camouflage (Romanian ani Regal i campaign, all PZL P.11s were overha d their under es repainted a dark green col od and had their upper: face were repainted a light blue colour similar to RLM’ e cowling and the under-surfaces of the our similar to RLM 64 65 or RLM 76. Starting with the Spring of 1941, the en; ulations. A yellow band was added on the fuse- }s were painted yellow according to Axis n ted on the fuselage and wings (for more details narrow bands (red, yellow or blue colours, of the tail. The “Michael Cross” wasp: dix 4). The pre-war maki nd wings were still visible on some PZL P.11. The according to squadron) painted on the fuse low and red were rarely seen painted on the rudder of the Romanian national colours of blue PZL PAL aircraft duri Fin numbering used on Romanian P.11 aircraft ‘0122345678Camouflage scheme for Romanian PZL P.11 after overhaul. Eastern front markings. Dente50 11b aircraft were produced for the Romanian Air orc and delivered in 1932, During the war, the remaining irworthy P.11b art vere used in flying schools alongside PZL. P.c and PZL. Pf. PZL P.11b-L Na. 25, Flight School on Ramnicu Sarat airfield, July1942. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth and Dark Green. Undersides: Sky Blue. P11b Nos. 25 and 2, side by side on Rimi Sat Fighter School airfield, summer 1942, (Razvan Bujor col.)According ois ebook, on 3, 4, 8, and 10 September 142, Ee Av alt Constantin flew Pe No. 315 practising inverted flight rol, aerobatic tur an forma ti ying with LN. Mic oa (tran ofthe rst campaign) as instructor, Dring the summer of 1944, StAv. Instructor Bald Constantin was credited wth to 18.24 bombers shot down on 6 May and ne probable B24 shot down on 6 June whl flying asparof the Flight Schoo based om Ghimbav- Brasov airfield (quipped with AR SIC). J PZL Palle Na. 315, Elev Aviator Baltd Constantin, Scoala de Vanatoare, Cailérasi airfield, September 1942. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green RLM 64/83. Undersides; Light Grey possibly RLM 76.PZL P.1 1c Na 315, Elev Aviator Balt Constantin, Scoala de Vanatoare, Calrasi airfield, September 1942. Api of Pes, Nos. 35 & 31 with in damag sting for pas in font ofthe hanger of Clas iter Sok, summer 198 (Razvan Bajo cll)(On 8 July 1941, fteradegfigh with Soviet 116 fighters of 67 IAP, Dumbravd force-landed his damaged ex-PlishP11c No 318, It was epaied and during te summer of 1942, i was on strength with the Calas Fighter Aviation Schoo. According o his logbook on 1 and 2 September 1942, le Av. Balt Constantin flew .11c No. 318 prats- ing lops, stalls and Immelman turns. (Dan Antonia ol) Pile Na 318, Adjutant Stag, Ax. Victor Dumbravd, Grupul 4 Vandtoare. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey. Right: Elev A Razw inthe (Dan Antonia coll)P.11c No, 323, Elev Aviator Gulan Gheorghe, Flight School, Calarasi Airfield, Sep tember 1942. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey aerial spotting while flying P11 No, 323 withthe Cia Fghter Aviation School. Daring the summer of 194, SktAv, Glan Gheorghe was credited with ome B-17 shat down om 6 June and one B-24 shot down as par of ‘light om 23 jane while lying IAR 80M as part of Grupal | Vanitoae. ‘Student plots surrounding P11C No, 323. Ele. A, Gila Rzvan is siting (on the fuselage. Cras airfield, summer 1943. (Razvan Bujor coll.)P.LIf Na 87, Adjutant Stag. Ax. Marian Voica, Escadrila 50, Grupul 4 Vndtoare, Bacioin airfield, August 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey. (Dan Antoni coll)P.11f Na 91, Grupul 3 Vanato Undersides: Light Grey re, Baden airfield. Upy Dark Olive Green 46 16 8 Vindtoare and Grupul 4 3s the tte of "Rata i ya seth ofa PL pilot ening tom of one such 16 victory in an Vanatoate, lai s is particular P11fNo. 91 wore d the tai fn PLIfNo. 91 escorting Romanian bombers over Besanabia, summer 194, Note the old markings (pre-war narrow red bunds stil visible onthe useage, - (Dan Antonia coll) —P.LIf Na 79, Adjutant Stagiar Av. Dimache loan, Escadrila 43, Grupul 3 Vanitoare, Baden airfield, August 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light GreyP.11f Na 51, Serg. TR Av. Romeo Neacsu, Escadrila 43, Grupul 3 Vanatoare, Baden airfield, October 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey. (On 28 August 1941, a pair ofP.1f flown by Aaj Sg Av. lan Dumitru and erg TR Av, Romeo Nea came to the assistance of 1 flight of 7.24 from Escala 62, over helmed by 8 Soviet I-16 fighters. During the Fight, Romeo Neacgu shot down two 1165 and ‘amitescu claimed another oe, On 12 Octo ‘ber 1941, while ling Pf No.5 SergTR ‘Av. Romeo Neayu mistakenly etsoned the ‘main cl tank and had to make a dead-stice landing 2m east of Bachan tthe end of the AP.11f withthe tail lifted fr sum alignment. Te four machine uns (wo inthe fselage ‘war, Sex TR Av. Romeo News had tally and twin the wings) deinered enough punch to shoot down Soviet lanes lik the 116. its of Grupul 3 Vinitoare posing for picture in the front of P.11f No.1. Note of 3 confirmed and to unconfirmed victories, Rata. Note the bulbous engine cling typical ofthe Romanian-made P11, andan the wavy demarcation o the undersurface camouflage extending onto the aslage (Dan Antoni col) ampleasan sgt for Soviet pots pursued in Bessarabian skis. (Dan Antoni coll) sides. (Dam Antonia coll)P.LIfNa. 122, Escadrila de Experiente si Incercari (Test Squadron), Pipera - Bucharest airfield, winter 1941-1942, Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey. ly 1941, Adjtant Av. Constantin Dimache flying P.LIfN oun over Ramnical Sina. While atempting to attack o imbers, hsp He ha nd. The aca was under surface. During 5 SET Bu is ASAM near Cini where it overturned onthe uneven printed in dark Green uper surfaces and light Nos, 122 and 56 were rimental lights with ks 1941-1982, ral overhaul and P.LIfNo, 122 warming up the engine before atest flight at Pipa airfield, winter “42-13. Note the unknown device attached under the fuselage (Dan Antonin coll)B P.LIf Na. 119, Adjutant Av. Stefan Dumitrescu, Escadrila 45, Grupul 3 Vandtoare, Bessarabia, June 1941 Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey. PAIfNo. 19 in enemy with the nd ies. (Dan Antonin co LIE No. 119 fnce-landed by A. Av. Stefan Dumitrscu in enemy terttoryat Vie Srjinet, summer 1941 (Dan Antonia coll)PZL P.24 The PZL P.24 entered service with the ARR in 1939. In June 1941, they were assigned to Grupu Vanatoare (6th Fighter Group), which was based on Bui resti-Otopeni airfield, with the mission defend the capital and the Plo ‘On 23 June 1941, an emergency flight of Gr. 6Vt. tasked with home defence and equipped P24 fighters, led by Sit Av. Leonid Sotropa and made up of Adj Stag. Av. Ioan Titaru, Adj Alexandru Sfardiali and Adj. Au Vasile Truic’ took-off towards Ploiesti without encountering nemy aircraft. Another flight, made up of Slt. Av. Gheorghe Lupescu (the flight leader), Adj. Av Gheorghe Camenita and Adj. Av. Mihai Belcin carried out a regular flight over sensitive areas of st as well as the railway line to Constan a and the highway to Ploiesti. They any enemy aircraft.Because the frontlines were rapidly moving further east, the Romanian capital and the oilfield became less important to the Soviet High Command. As a consequence of the decreased threay Escadrila 62 was directed to the front line and was assigned to Grupul 4 Vindtoare, replacing the P.L1 fighters. The other P.24 Squadron, Es<61Vt., remained in the role of home defence, .24 aircraft of Escadrila 62 led by Cpr. Av. Nicolae Ivancenco were tasked to carry out ground attack missions and to operate in support of friendly troops. They were also expected to counter the activity of the Soviet air force and occasionally make low-level airfield attacks. They were soon to discover that the PZL fighters could not catch up easily with the faster Soviet bombers. The Soviet I-16 Ratas also turned out to be superior in speed and armament. The initial combat missions were flown under the direct command of Lt. C-dor Av Nicolae’ *Nae*Radulescu. The frst combat damage was recorded on 1 August 1941 when P.24 No.1 flown by Sit. Au Gheorghe Lupescu was hit but despite a damaged port wing the aircraft returned safe (On 5 August 1941, the P.24s attacked Soviet positions at Plateyevka, where they dropped small bombs before strafing the target with their machine guns. Next day the gull-wing fighters made al low level attack on enemy AA batteries at Maliest. On Sunday, 10 August 1941, the PZL fighters strafed the enemy column retreating towards Dobrojani. Gr-3Vi.Esc.62 engaged six Ratas in a combat north-west of Odessa. The aircraft of Lt. Cedor Av, Radulescu was hit by ground fie but was able to return safely. On 13 August, the P.24s led by squadron commander Cpt. ax. Nicolae Ivancenco strafed the Soviet airfield located 5 km north-west of Odessa. Six Soviet aircraft were confirmed destroyed on the ground. Among the pilots who took part in the attack were Cpt. ax: Nicolae Ivancenco, Slt Ait loan Tabacu, Adj. Av. Iosif Tudor, Adj. Au: Gheorghe Camenifa, Adj. Stag. Av. Constantin Popesei and Serg. TR Ax. loan Olteanu. Of the six Romanian pilots, only Adj. Av. Iosif Tudor was hur, $= verely wounded in both legs and hands by AA fie, but he managed to return to Baden airfield with his damaged aircraft. All these pilots together with group commander Radulescu were awarded.between Freudenthal and Poliova. Solomon was the first Romanian P.24 pilot to offically lachieve an aerial victory. Three days later, a P.11 and a P.24 of Gr. 3Vt, strafed the seaplane base of Haji Bey, claiming the destruction of two aircraft. On 26 August, while landing at Tiraspol airfield, P.24 No. 26 of Esc 62 hit a parked P.11. The @ireraft burst into flames and the pilot, Adj. Stag. Av. Gheorghe Neamfu, was severely burned and ied later of his wounds. This was the sole operational P.24 loss. On 28 August 1941, between 16:55 and 17:40, a flight from Esc. 62 clashed with eight Ratas. In the initial phase of the combat, Adi. Stag. Av. Nicolae Solomon and Serg. TR Ax: loan Olteanu, each daimed one enemy figh Other I-16s. The P-24 pilots were then rescued by a P.11f element comprising Adj. Stag. Av. Stefan Dumitrescu and Ser Of them and damaging a third, forcing the others to retreat. Next day, Esc. 62 pilots reported that they shot down two Ratas, but the claims of Adj. Stag. Av. Nicolae Solomon and Serg. TR Ax: loan Olteanu were not officially confirmed. On 1 September 1941, a three-ship flight of P.24s from Esc. 62 strafed with bombs and machine uns the Tatarka airfield, Next day, Adj. Sg. Av. Pavel Coteanu was able to shot down one Rata in a dogfight in the Neubiberg-Alexandrevka area in the Peterstahl area. But they were quickly overwhelmed by the TR Av. Romeo Neacsu, who dived on the Soviet fighters shooting down twoOn 15 September 1941, between 16:50 and 17:30, pilots of Esc {62 were performing a low-level attack on a Soviet position in Neuburg when they were bounced from above by nine Ratas. In the ensuing battle Sit. Az loan Tabacu and his wingman Adj. Stag. Av. Constantin Popescu shot down one Rata each, 1 km south of Bargoskaia farm. The final victory of the day was credited to Adj. Av. Garboviceanu, 1941, 2 km west of Dalnik and an unidentified pilot of Esc 62 claimed On 21 Septen erg. TR Av. loan Olteanu shot down one Rat another Rata 3 km west of Dalnik. Next day in an engagement by P.11 and P.24 fighters with three bombers and 12 Ratas, one bomber and three fighters were shot down west of Dalnik. Adj. Ax Mihai Belcin and Adj. Au Nicolae Solomon were among those who made victory claims on that day In the early morning of 23 September, twelve Soviet fighters at 24s of Esc Av, Ioan Tabacu took-off tempted to attack Baden airfield. The stand-by flight of and aden airfield to intercept the attackers. They shot down one Rata south of Vygoda and the victory was shared among the entire flight. One individual victory was also attributed to Adj. Stag. Av Constantin Popescu. Next day the same flight of Esc 62 led by Lt. A Toan Ivanciovici claimed one Rata west of Dalnik the first campaign that these Polish aircraft were not fit for battle anymore and were relegated to the role of ad. vanced trainer. The last surviving aircraft were written-off in 1945, bringing to an end the four-year career of the gull-winged PZL P.24 fighter aircraft in Romania Adj Av. Georgescu Gill siting in the cockpit of (Dan Antonia coll) A), Georges Gil posing fra pict front of P24 White 6: (Dan Antonin col) »Dee ay 2 esr 30 voles TAR 44 k ii el Mee Yt flay oly Jicéa, $ornte pecélent , lessen Vsote Jvze,. Goobrove, $2 ~ ovePZL P.24 Camouflage and markings The PZL P.24s were delivered from the factory (IAR Brasov) in a two-tone camouflage of Dark Green similar to British Dark Green (~FS 34096) and British Dark Earth (~FS 30118) on the upe persurfaces. The under-surfaces of the wings were painted a light blue colour similar to British Sky Blue (-FS35550). In 1941, the upper-surfaces of most P.24s were repainted an overall dark sgreen (similar to RLM 64) and the under-surfaces were repainted a light blue similar to RLM 65 OF RLM 76. From spring 1941, the engine cowling and the under-surface of the wing tips were paints ced yellow according to Axis regulations. yellow band was added on the fuselage ahead of the tall The “Michael Cross” was painted on the fuselage and wings (for more details see the Appendix 4). The national colours of blue, yellow and red were painted on the rudder. On some PZL P24, the national colours were painted only on 1/3 top part of the rudder.Factory (IAR Brasov) camouflage scheme for Romanian PZL P.24. Eastern Front markings.Camouflage scheme for Romanian PZL P.24 after overhaul, Eastern front markings. Lich RLP.24e Na 4, Escadrila 61, 6 Bucharest-Otopeni. Upper surfaces: Dark |, Grupul 6 Vanatoare, Earth (~FS 30118) and Dark Green, Undersides: Sky Blue.P.24 Na 6, Adjutant Stag, Av, Petre Cojocanu, Escadrila 61, Grupul 3 Vanatoare, Baden airfield, October 1941, Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey [No.6 us he fst .24 tobe bul by IAR. ‘Grupa 3 Vantoae, ghting in the Odessa sector. (Dan Antonia coll)P.24 (P) No. 24, Adj. Stag, Av. Nicolae Solomon of Escadrila 62, Grupul 6 Vanatoare, Bucharest-Pipera airfield, September 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth and Dark Green. Undersides: Sky Blueey — P.24 Na 21, Serg. TR Av. loan Olteanu, Escadrila 62, Baden airfield, Septem- oO ‘ber 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey.P.24 Na 28, Adj. Stag. Av. Garboviceanu of Escadrila 62, Grupul 6 Vandtoare, Bucharest-Pipera airfield, September 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth and Dark Green. Undersides: Sky Blue ‘Noe the tone upper camouflage cleus the wide el bulaed REA mean oles ie tricolor aint onthe fin. The engine cing is punted camouflage colours. Ths particular aircraft was featured ‘the ARR inventory in May 1945. (Razvan Bujor coll.)Hurricane Mk No.2 serviced by ground crew. ‘men. Note the ishing et placed ver the wing. (Dan Antonin coll) Hawker Hurricane Mk I At the end of 1938, after King Carol II of Romania inspected the Hurricane production line at Odiham, Aeron. By the day’s standards, the Hurricane was an impressive aeroplane fea Rolls Royce Merlin engine, retractable landing gear, cantilever wing, enclosed cockpit, combined punch delivered by 8 x 0.303 in, machine guns Wwith a good climb, speed, range and devastat housed in the wi Escadrila 53 Vindtoare equipped with the Hurricane’ Mk I was the most successful fighter Squadron in Romanian service in the early stage of the war. Its pilots were credited with 32 con: firmed and 3 unconfirmed air victories in the first ten days of the Bessarabian campaign without a single combat loss. On 22 June 1941, £ Dobrogea was assigned with Black Sea Coast defence including Constanta harbour and Cernavoda Rail Bridge On 23 June 1941, Constanta harbout was attacked by a formation of Soviet bombers. On this occasion one Romanian fighter pilot instantly became a national hero. Lt A Horia Agarici took-off on his own from Mamaia airfield in his Hurricane No. 3 that was undergoing re pair, with the engin moved, and attacked an unescorted formation of seven bombers, were identified on the grou shooting down three of them. The wrecks c Valul lui Traian, Sacele and Mamaia Sat ‘On the same day, during the afternoon, Hurricanes of $3rd Squadron shot down two other Soviet planes identified as DB-3s them crashed near Mangalia after it was hit by squad: ron commander Capt. ax. Emil Georgescu and the other, shot down by Adj. Stag. A Constantin ack Sea near Constanta. A special day for Romanian Hurricanes was 30 Popescu, fell into th June 1941. In three different air combats, Es ers (most probably I-153s) in the Ismail-Tuleea area. Adj. Sef Au Radulescu Andrei shot down three la 53 pilots claimed ten Soviet “Grumman” fight Of them making him an ace with five victories (the first two claimed on 24 June). On 8 July 1941, Hurricane pilot Adj. Stag.Au Evghenie Eugen Camenceanu was credited with two “Martin” bom! 7:35. The first fell into Razelm Lake, and the second ets (most probably DB-3Fs) shot dowcrashed near Nalbant, Tulcea. On 10 July 1941, Lt Au(r) Constantin “Bazu” Cantacuzino, flying wn near Domnita Tleana village in the ho ended the war with 69 Hurricane No. 4, claimed one Soviet bomber DB-3 sh Ismail area, This was the first victory of the future top scoring ace, es. One SB bomber was shot smber shot down by Lt Ae On 11 July 1941 Romanian Hurricanes scored two other vic down near Sulina by Adj. Sef Ax Radulescu Andrei and one DE Toma Lucian at Valeox Another Hurricane Au, Pomut Constantin, on 20 July 1941 claimed two Soviet planes shot down over Dobrogea. urricanes were sent to IAR Brasov for general After the Bessarabian campai iain reason was the shortage of spare parts ethaul but they were no lon combat. The Hurricanes. and the possibility that Romanian AA might mistake them for Sc Romanian Hurricane was on 8 August 1944 when “yellow 8” de- fected to Turkey Pits rom Escada 53 ‘Vanatoare posing fr the pictare in he fr of Har rice MEINo.3. (Denes Bernad coll) MemiesofEsadrila 53 \Vnitoae posing fora pictare inthe front of Hur ricane MEINo. 1. (Denes Bernad col)Hawker Hurricane Mk I Camouflage and markings The first twelve British-built Hurricane Mk Is w Romana painted in a two-tone RAF-type camoufl delivered to Aeronautica Reg (on the upper-surfaces consisting of British Dark Green (-FS 34096) and British Dark Earth (-FS 30118). This camoutlage was applied in two mirrored pat terns, usually referred to as “A” and “B”. The under-surface of the wing was painted black on the lefthalf and white on the right half. The under-surface of the tail was painted aluminium dope. The three Yugoslav-built Hurricanes in Romanian service were painted in a three-tone camou flage, most probably Light Green (FS 34102), Light Earth (FS 30257) and Red Brown (FS 30109) (on the upper surfaces and with Sky under-surfaces (FS 34424) From spring 1941, the engine cowling and the under-surfaces of the wing tips were painted yel: low according to Axis regulations, also a yellow band was added on the fuselage ahead of the tai The under-surfaces remained in the same colours as before The rudder was painted in the national colours of blue, yellow and red (for unknown rea ational markin, sons, the rudders of Hurricanes Nos. 2, 4and 6 were left without The special “Michael Cross” design is typical only for S3rd Squadron planes (for more details see Appendix 4). Each aircraft was identified by a yellow number painted on the fn, a black number under the right wing and a white number under the left wing (placed in the opposite direction! The spinner was painted 1/3 yellow and 2/3 black, Fin numbering forthe Romanian Hurricane Mk I, Eastern Front ~0123456789 The burned wreck of Hurricane Mk No 15 (one of tice of Vagosav origin lost on 6 September 1941 daring 2 gun attack by Soviet fighters on Salt airfield. Noe the abi covered wings typical ofthe thee ex Yagosas Hurricanes, Romanian see. (Scull Lgotheti Photo via Claudiu Stumer) 44oF Romanian Hawker Hurricane Mk I, RAF camouflage Type B. Eastern Front markings,Hurricane Mk I Na. 2, Adj. Stag, Ax. Evghenie Eugen Camencianu, Escadtila 53, Grupul 5 Vanatoare, Mamaia airfield, June 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Green and Dark Earth Undersides: tail from the wing to the rudder painted aluminium dope, right half of the wing painted black and the left half of the wing painted white. Hurricane MEIN Mars landed (On 8 July 1941, Hurricane plot dj Stag, Av. Eoghenie Eugen iri, summer 1941, Note pilot Ad. Stag, mwas credited with two *Martin™ bombers (most probably DB-3E3) shot down at 17:35 n 1941 Camenceana flew 73 combat sorties ith seven confirmed and three unconfirmed vicoris, the lack of national markings om der and the two shades of yellow the engine cong and fuselage bund, (Dam Antonin coll)Hurricane Mk I Na. 1, Capt. Ax. Emil Georgescu, the commander of Escadrila $3, Grupul § Vanatoare, Mamaia airfield, June 1941 Undersides: tail from the wing to the nudder painted aluminium dope, right half of the wing painted black and the left half of the fj wing painted white(On 23 June 1941 Lx. Av, Hora Agari took off aloe from Mamaia airfield in his Hurricane No. 3 (undergoing repair, with the engine contng removed) and atacked an unescorted Soviet formation of seven bombers, shoting down the of them. The camouflage s RAF type “B”. Agaric ended the war with six cn. firmed and two unconfirmed victories ‘Hurricane Mk 1 No.3 waiting inthe hangar ofthe IAR Braso fc tory fora general overhaul. (Razvan Bujor cll)ul § Vanatoare, Mamaia airfield, July 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Green and Dark Earth, under surfaces: fuselage aluminium dope, black right wing and white on the left wing. No. 4 was the aitcraf of he ture ois) Constantin“ in July 1941. His total score 1941 campaign was fo Puiu” Roses was shot down and killed by 1.16 fighters of 69 IAP. The camouflage is RAF Notice the lack of national markings om the rudder. Left A, Sag. A (0) Pom Constantin, Escadrila 53 Vanitare, standing near Hur ricane No. 4, Mamaia airfield, summer of 1941. Note tering sun sight and round iro, typical details forthe Hurricane in Romanian service. (Emil Georgescu Photo via Dan Antonin ) Right: Adj. Av. Pout Constantin siting on the hori stabilize of Hurricane No.4. "Note the lack of national marking on the adder and he fing et sed for camouflage. (Emil Georgscu Photo via Dan Antonin )Hurricane Mk I Na 7, Adj. Sef Ax. Andrei Radulescu, Escadsila 53, Grupul 5 Vanitoare, Mamaia airfield, July 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Green and Dark Earth. Undersides: {ail from the wing to the rudder painted aluminium dope, right half of the wing painted lack and the left half of the wing painted white.Hurricane Mk I No. 15, Escadtila $3, Grupul 5 V field, July 1941. witoare, Saltz air No. 15 was ome ofthe thee Ya Romania ground atack by Soviet fi complete and 15 inservice with Escala ences frm the R Ioriontal fr covered wings. The armament Belgian-made EN Browning machine gun. The Zmaj-buit ‘Hurricanes were painted in a thre-tome camouflage of Dark Gren (FS 34096), Light Earth (FS 30118) and Dark Brown (F5 20040) om uppersuraces and with ight sey-lue tnder-surfaces (FS 25526) Zia-bult Hurricanes parked onthe Zemun factory afield ready tobe transfered to Romania, Note the ‘Romanian markings ational colour on the adder, yellow cowlng and he narrow fuselage yellow band) sein pring 1941, bore the tart of Barbarossa campaign.Ground crewmen posing fora picture near He 1128 ‘White 24 repainted in ‘00 tone seen camo. ‘fase, Rmnicn Sat ‘infield, summer 1941. (Tomasz. Koparski oll) Heinkel'He 112 In August 1939, 30 of the total of 98 He 112 fighters built by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke were de Tivered to Aeronautica Regald Roménd, that thus became the main operator of the type. They were He 112 type E (Export version) and were assigned to Gnupul 5 Vinaitoare made up of Escadrila $1 and Escadrila 52. On 15 June 1941, Gnupul 5 Vindtoare, under the command of Lt. C-dor. Au Gheorghe Miclescu, With 24 He 112E fighters was transferred to the Focsani-North airfield, as part of the preparations for Operation Barbarossa. Used primarily as a ground attack aircraft, the He 112E was armed with 2x20 mm cannons and 27.92 mm machine-guns and six small bombs, which made it suitable for the task, but the lack of On 22 june 1941, the Group conducted its first mission. Sixteen He 112E fighters took-off to irmour protection led to several losses escort several Potez 63352 bombers planning to attack the Soviet airfields at Bolgrad and Bulgirica When they reached their second target, there were about 30 I-16 fighters in the ai. Slt. Au Teodor Moscu flying He 112E No.4 surprised two Ratas that were just taking.off and shot one down. He then saw another I-16, which was coming directly at him, and fired again. The Soviet aircraft was hitand went down into the Danube. With several Soviet aircraft on his tail, Moscu was hit himself However, he managed to outmanoeuvre them and fire on one of the attackers. The final score of ‘Sit. Ax Moscu was two confirmed and one probable victory The first loss in combat of an ARR fighter took place on the next day. Twelve He 112s of Gru 5 Mindtoare made a low-level attack on the Bolgrad airfield. They were intercepted by seven I-153 fighters. The leader of the formation was Kap Piotr Kozachenko (a 15-victory ace of the wars with Japan and Finland). He shot down He 112 No, 12 flown by Adj. Au Anghel Condrut, who was killed, ‘The ground offensive didn’t start in the Romanian sector ofthe front until the night of 2/3 july. Until then, Grupul 5 Va attacks on Soviet columns and troop concentrations. Escort missions were rate. On one such mis- sion, on 28 June, a He 112 flown by Sit.Au: Smeu Constantin was damaged by Soviet AA and later ‘crashed, killing the pilot. pare conducted airfield-strafing missions, just before dawn, followed byOn 2 July 1941, another two aircraft and pilots were lost to ground-fire during low-level at= tacks, However Lt. Au Radu Reinek managed to shoot down two I-16s, Three days later, the He 112s attacked Bulgirica airfield again, After dropping theit bombs the pilots strafed the lines of camouflaged airplanes. One Soviet -153 was also shot down while climbing to meet the attackers, The same day, another flight provided fighter cover for a bomber for ation, They were engaged by 12 Soviet fighters. In the ensuing dogfight, four enemy aircraft were shot down, with the loss of one He 112. In August 1941, Escadrila 52 transferred its remaining He 112Es to Escadrila 51 and was’ equipped with IAR 80A aircraft instead. Escadrila $1 was assigned temporarily to Home Defence, He 112 No, 21 serviced by mechanics om Pena field during thesumamer of 1941. (Tomasz J Kopaiski cll.) He 112 No. Wand He 112 No. 7 of Escala Si parked on Piper ‘Bucharest airfield and esting fra general overhaul, summer 1942. (Photo Razvan Bujor)but in October it was sent to take part in the siege of Odessa, After the city fell on 16 October, the squadron remained there and flew coastal defence and tactical reconnaissance missions over the Black Sea, until July 1942, when the squadron was brought back to Romania. In the same month, a He 112E from the 51st Fighter Squadron flew the first night interception mission in the history Cf the ARR against Soviet bombers that were attacking Bucharest. In early 1943, Escadrila 51 switched to the Bf 110 and the remaining Heinkels were relegated Bf 109G pilots. In September 1946, all remaining He 112 aircraft were brought to Cotroceni Aeronautical Depot where the 18 to the advanced trainer role and used from in the process of training remaining aircraft were wait here to be scraped. Thus came to an end the career of this beauti ful German fighter in the Romanian air force Heinkel/He 112E Camouflage and marki igs The Heinkel He 112Es were delivered to Aeronautica Regal Romdind in the Heinkel factory camouflage of overall Grey RLM 02/63. Starting in the spring of 1941, the engine cowling and the underu painted yellow, following Axis regulations. A yellow band was also added to fuselage ahead of the tail, Black numbers were painted on the fuselage ace of the wing tips were The “Michael cross” markings were applied on upper-surfaces, on under-surfaces of the wings and on both sides on the fuselage (for more details see Appendix 4), The rudder was painted in the national colours of blue, yellow and red. 3 black. The spinner was painted 1/3 yellow and After major overhaul at ASAM Pipera, some He 112Es were repainted in a two-tone green cam- oullage on the upper-surfaces (most probably RLM 70 and RLM 71) and blue grey under-surfaces (most probably RLM 65). White numbers were painted on the fin numbering used on Romanian He 112Es Fin numbering used on He 112E applied at ASAM Pipera. BUPeY Le BYHeinkel factory camouflage scheme for Romanian Heinkel He 112E. Eastern Front markings. Gra RLM 0263Camouflage scheme for Heinkel He 112E applied at ASAM Pipera. Eastern Front markings.He 112E Na 4, Sit.Av, Moscu Teodor, Escadrila 51, Grupul 5 Vanatoare, Ramnicul Sarat airfield, June 1941. Grau RLM 02/63 overall (On 22 june 1941, lA. Teodor Mosc flying He 112E No.4 surprised two Rata that were just Ismail ified and shot one down, He I, which was coming diel at him The Soviet aircraft wa fired agin it and went down inthe Da rt om his tal, hit. Hower, he ned victories and one pro pain. (Moscu Photo via Dan Antonia) uae them and fir an Ad. Av ly forthe day was two confirmed victories and one probable. He 112 No.4 was painted RLM 63 Grau overall with he engin the attackers, before he and his win Pavel Constantin headed for home. His nd fuselage bund punted yellow, The pine painted 1/3 yellow and 23 blak. “Put”, the emblem of Grupa 5 Vanitoare was painted under the cockpit on both Sides ofthe fuse= He 112E Na. 7, Escadrila 51, Grupul 5 Vandtoare, Pipera-Bucharest airfield eS Upper surfaces: Schwarzgriin RLM 70 and Dunkelgriin RLM 71. Undersides: Lichtblau RLM 65. September 1940, Ofer de echipa oan M Maga was forced to be di were til isHe 112E Na 9, Cpt. Av. Virgil Trandafirescu, commander of Escadsila 51, Gru 8 pul S Vinatoare, Ramnicul Sarat airfield, June 1941, Grau REM 02/63 overall. Th When the fell 112 No. 9. Inthe midis Cp. Av. Virgil Sublocotenent Me, Ei! pit of He 112 No 9 (Photo Dan Antonin. and ear-vew mirror mounted in pit (Photo Dan Antonin) stand~ He 112E Na 10, Locotenent Av. Tiberiu Statescu, 5th Group Deputy, Pipera- Bucharest airfield. Upper surfaces: Schwarzgriin RLM 70 and Dunkelgriin RLM 71, Undersides: Lichtblau RLM 65, A ground crewman refueling He 112 No, 10. Note the “Pluto” outlined in white, ‘the Walt Disney character was the Grup § Vanatoare emblem, (Photo Dan Antonin).nb + He 112E Na. 11 of Locotenent Avr) Ing, loan Lascu, Escadrila $1, Gru- pul 5 Vanitoare. Grau RLM 02/63 overall. His name wa ests. The fi nas ed by targets inthe Valea Hrtoapeor mgincer Tan Lasu joined the Sth Gro fe 112 flight attacked with bomb raduate ofthe Charlottenburg Berlin Poitehnic ai iso flew No. 13. On 7th July 194, tw cars ablaze. On 12 July 1941, a 18:40, aoth Lt. Av Ing area. Lasc fling He 112 No. saw 4 Soviel tank hit the aie tack with his guns jt, which caught Left: Ad. Av. Dinu near He 112E No. 11, WNr. 2082. N beneath the horizontalcand Heinkel 112E Na 13, Sit.Av. Moscu Teodor, Escadrila 51, Grupul § Vanitoare, Ramnicul Sarat airfield, July 1941. Grau RLM 02/63 overall SitAv. Me Sid. Mosc Teodor inspecting his He 112 No. 13, damaged after a _rond attack mision oma Soviet motorized cola near Pum a silage (Mose Photo via Dan Antonia)He 112E Na 30, Advanced Fighter School, Pipera-Bucharest airfield, summer of ee eee ae aoe 6 1096, They were very des of the fuselage In carly 1943, the remaining Heinkel 112 aircraft of Escadrila 51 were assign 19s were avilable, Ths particu cd fighter trainer in late 1942, Note the Edelweiss em (Photo Razvan Bujor) Sit.Av, Dam Marinovicl in the cockpit of He 112 No, 30, (Photo Rdzvan Bujor)Heinkel 112E, Black Stars posing as a mock “Soviet Fighter Squadron” in the movie Escadrila Alba (White Squadron), Pipera-Bucharest airfield, September 1942. able Grey overall. iyone in September Aw Ing Sorin Tale Flet 106, carrying spares frm the mel to her displaying Black nd apparently preparing to in the ble pain) and decorated with blak tars on the wing ‘and fuselage. The possible reason for not using red for the “Soviet tars was that the movie was med in ‘lack & whit. The Edelweiss emblems sil visible on th fuselage. Ee)R80/ utica Regald Romana were obsolete. For this In the mid ‘30s, most ofthe airplanes ofthe Aen Teason, in November 1936 LAR Brasov proposed a new project to the Ministry of the Air and Navy This was a moder all metal, low wing monoplane fighter, named IAR 80. The airplane was designed around the Junkers Jumo 211Da engine, but the Germans failed to deliver the promised engine. The IAR-14K, a Gnome RhOne engine manufactured under licence, {was the only one available and the prototype was equipped with it. It was also decided that the first production batch of 20 planes were to be fitted with the IAR-14K engine. In February 1941, the first IAR 80s were delivered to the new Grupul 8 Vindtoare. This unit was engaged in battle from the very first day of the Barbarossa campaign. The aircraft performed with {00d results against the modest Soviet airplanes, especially against the I-16 Rata. The frst victory Achieved by an IAR 80 came on 27 June 1941. The fist IAR 80 shot down was No, 23 of Lt.At Vasile Claru (KIA) on 12 July 1941. On 15 July 1941, Escadrila 52 transferred its remaining He 112 fighters to Escadrila 51 new IAR 80s. On 27 September, Gnipul 6 Vinitoare transferred its .24s to Grupul 4 Vinitoare land began training on the IAR 80. The fist 6 IAR 81 fighters came to the frontline with the 59th Squadron (8th Fighter Group). The first dive bombing mission was on 15 October 1941, when five IAR 81s bombed Odessa harbour. During the first campaign, 21 LAR 80 and A were lost. Over 100 victories against Soviet airplanes were claimed in the air and on the ground by IAR 80 pilots. In January 1942, Gropul 6 Vindtoare started to convert to the IAR 81 dive bomber. In April, Grupul 9 Vinatoare was created, receiving the IAR 80A. Grupul 8 Vindtoare was assigned to home defence. Its first eal mission was on 12 June 1942, when the USAAF carried out its first raid at Ploiesti, coded Halpro. In July, Grupul 4 Vindtoare be ‘on the IAR 80A and the turn of Grupul 3 Vinatoare came in August. nd joined the 42nd to form the 42/S2nd Fighter Squadron, which received n traiIn September, the 6th and 8th Fighter Groups were sent to the Stalingrad front. They claimed. anes shot down, while losing 11 airplanes in dogfights or to enemy AA, three de= stroyed on the ground, nine in accidents and six captured by the advancing Soviet forces. In 1943, the IAR 80 was given the role of home defence. Grupul 4 armed (with cannon) IAR 80C and transferred its IAR 80A to the 3rd Fi squadrons (46th and 49th) on the Black Sea coast at Cetatea Alba and another (45th) at Targson upul 6 Vandtoare was stationed on the Pipera-Bucharest airfield. In April 1943, 45 Soviet air received the better ter Group. It had two near Ploiegti. Gnupul 9 Vainitoare abandoned its IAR 804 fighters for the Bf 109G and Grupul 8 Vinitoare was the Sth Assault Group equipped with the Hs 1298, On 1 August 1943, the second are and the 45th Fighter Squadron were credited with seven confirmed and another two probable B-24D bombers shot down, with a loss of one IAR 80B and another two damaged. In October, Grupul 7 Vindtoare came back from the front and received the new IAR 81C fighters armed with Mauser cannons. Also the Ist Fighter Group, stationed on the Rosiorii de Vede airfield received IAR 80C fighters. Gnupul transformed int USAAF raid took place against Ploiesti, Operation Tidal Wave. Grupul 6 Vial A par of IAR 80s parked ‘om the srfield ofthe Galati Fighter School, spring 1983, (Tomasz. Kopatiski ll) A row of IAR 80s parked com the snow covered oli til, winter B28. (Tomas). KopsGround crewmen mount ing the rina fteron an TAR SIC of Gopal 2 Vinitar, Ghent ‘cin sil, summer 1944 (Rtvan Bujor coll) are pilots were credited with seven confirmed victories ind one probable, in their convoy escort missions during 1943. In January 1944, some of the active IAR 80/815 were re armed with 20 mm cannons, and were renamed IAR 80M (IAR 80C) was stationed con the Tanca airfield. Escadrila 51 of Grupul 5 Vindtoare was (“M" for Mauser). Grapul 2 Vato also equipped with LAR 81C Four fighter Groups were assigned to home defence: the Ist, 4th, 6th and 7th Fighter Groups. On 1 April 1944, 302 LAR 80/81s were in service, out of which 227 were serviceable During the subsequent air battles with the 15th USAAF IAR 80/81 pilots fought bravely claiming about 80 B-24 Liberators shot down, On 4 April 1944, the fist raid of the US 15th Air Force took place over Romania. Twenty-four IAR 80Cs of Grepul 1 Vinitoare took-off to intercept the bombers. As a result, the Group claimed 10 B-24 bombers shot down, of which only 8 ‘were confirmed One of them belonged to Cpt.C-dor. Av. loan Sandu, the unit commander. On 21 April, the bombers of the 15th Air Force returned, but this time accompanied by powerful fighter cover. Twenty- six airplanes of Grupul 1 Vindtoare scrambled. A flight from the 43rd Squadron encountered about 30 B-24 bombers, which they attacked and shot down two of them. Another fl however, was surprised by Mustangs from the 31st Fighter {Group as they were coming out of the clouds and all four were shot down,‘On 5 May 1944, Grupul 6 Vindtoare scrambled 27 aircraft to meet the 15th Ait Force. Above Ploiesti from a height of about 7000 m, Cpt. Ax Dan Vizanti gave the order to attack only the unescorted bombers. After two passes, one B-24 fell down in lames. oare scrambled 19 airplanes to meet the attackers. They en On the same day, Gripul 1 Va ‘countered a large formation of B-24 bombers, escorted by 70-80 fighters, and engaged them. Nine rs were claimed shot down, but only eight were confirmed. The next day, 15 TAR 80C aif raft of Gipul 1 Vindtoare, took ntercept the American formations, claiming 5 bombers and two P-38 escort fighters On 7 May 1944, 29 JAR SIC aircraft of Grupul 6 Vindtoare engaged the bomber formations around Bucharest obtaining two confirmed victories and one probable, without any loss The 15th Air Force attacked again on 18 May. Grupul 6 Vanitoare took-off with 26 fighters and intercepted the bombers before they reached Ploiesti. Fight bombers were shot down, but Lt, At Gheorghe Lupescu was killed in his JAR 81C No. 301 TAR 808 No. 229 and TAR 80 No.1 rus over the Carpathian moun tains, Jay 1942. These icf were fried from ‘the factory in Bagot Tingord Now airfield by TAR factory pilots. AR {$08 No, 229 us flown by Dip. Eng. Nicolae Flrescu and IAR 80 No. 19 was flown by Lt Av. Miki esc (Dea Ton) A row of IAR SIC from Escadeila 61, Grupul 6 Vanitoare. Not the ‘61st Squadron emblem, “Bamby, painted onthe left side ofthe fuselage. (Dam Antonin col.) m~Al1942 These aircraft were fried lorescu and IAR 80 No, 19 wasOn the same day 19 LAR 80s from ¢ pul 1 Vnitoare took-off to engage the US bombers. The entire Group attacked a formation of B-17 bombers and shot down two of them. The flight led by Au: loan Micu (one of the aces of the 1941 campaign) was attacked by 12 P-38 Lightnings and, in the followi (On 31 May 1944, Grupul 6 Vind dogfight, the Romanian ace downed one P-38. re was able to scramble 32 IAR 81C fighters, engaging the Americans near Bucharest. They ere credited with five victories and one probable. But Adj. Ax R 80 ace, was killed instantly when his JAR 81C No, 316 cok lided with a Mustang of the S2nd FG. Jorian Budu, the highest scoring y for the IAR 80/81 and Grupul 6 Vindtoare. The 15th US Air Force decided to make another low-level attack on the Romano-Americana Refinery, similar to the one of 1 August 1943. On this occasion, USAAF P-38 fighters of the 82nd Fighter Vinatoare scrambled 23 IAR 81C fight- 10 feathered Ind 10 June 1944 proved to be the last day of Group and 1st Fighter Group provided the escort. Grupul ers. At about (00 m the control station signalled that ” (the code name for -38 fighters) were attacking the airfield. Cpt. Ax Dan Vizanti then gave the order: “Paris to Paris 1, 2, 3, We attack! Follow me!” The entire Grup dived on the unsuspecting pilots of the USAF 71st Fighter Squadron (Ist Fighter Group). The dogfight took place at an altitude of less than 100 me~ ters and it lasted only few minutes. The nimbler IAR 81C proved to be more than a match for the: A row of AR 80 fighters dergoing general over aul atthe AR Brasov factory aie sommer 1982, (Tala Ton photo) Le Av (@ Calla Joan standing near the rudder ofthe IAR F-10G Fleet biplane No 2. Inthe back- round sa mixed batch of TAR 804 and IAR SOB fighters parked onthe IAR Brag factory aired, summer 1942. (Tea fon photo).Ground crewmen loading 20mm Mauser ammuni- tion into an IAR 81C of. Grupul 2 Vinitoare, summer 194, (Rizvan Bujor coll) Ground crewmen servicing ‘an [AR 81C of Grupul 2 Vanitoare, Ghenet- Bac airfield, August 1944, Note the white spi- ral painted onthe spinner and used a a recognition ‘marking onthe Moldavian front, (Rlzvan Bujor coll) 74 Lightning at that altitude. Within this short time span, eight P-38 fighters were shot down and two inable due to the confus heavily damaged. The Romanian pilots claimed 23, but this is easly 6 Vandtoare lost three men, Lt. Au Limburg Nicolae, Adj. Au Tari Mihail ing circumstances. Gri and Adj. Ax Giurgiu Ale ndru. June when are had only 18 aircraft available However, these took-off and met the 15® US Air Force’s bombers at an altitude of 7,000 m near Things got worse on Bucharest. Four B-17 bombers were shot down, but Mustangs attacked the IAR defenders. Two pi- su. Victor Petri, two others were wounded, Tots were killed, Adj. Au. Constantin Dimache and Si Adj. Ax: Dumitru Ilie and Adj. Au: G fe was engaged in battles with the Soviets on the Moldavian front, claiming Grupul 2 Vi many victories against Airacobras, Yaks and La-5 fighters. Beginning with 20 July 1944 the IAR 80 Groups were-forbidden to engage the American for- use the lives of the pilots were needlessly lost. Gnupul 6 Vindtoare started to receive mations, be replacements from After the events of 23 August 19 German columns, strongholds or transport airplanes bringing reinforcements. In September 1944, the IAR 80/81 fighters were used to attack retreatinthe 2nd and 4th Fighter Groups were combined into Grupul 2 Vinatoare, which was used in bat tles in Transylvania, This was soon joined by Grupul 6 Vindtoare, They suffered heavy loss cs against the German fighters and AA, claim ing only a few victories. On 30 September 1944, production of the IAR 80 ceased. In December, the Gnupul 6 Vinitoare returned home, in or der to start training with the Bf 109G Gnupul 2 Vandtoare remained at the front until the end of the war. The last mission of an IAR 80/81 was on 8 May 1945. During the entire war, the IAR 80/815 scored 539 confirmed victories, 90 probable and 168 on the ground. About 274 were lost in combat {to fighters or AA) and in numerous accidents.An AR 80 from the (Tomas. Kopariski cll) VAR 80/81 Camouflage and markings 100mm/ “1234567830‘The upper-surfaces were painted in one colour, a dark olive green most probably similar to FS '34083, and the under-surfaces were most likely painted light blue grey similar to FS 36473 with a Visible demarcation line under the fuselage. During the war the IAR 80/81 recognition markings were applied in two different manners: From June 1941 to August 1944 the recognition markings for the Eastern Front and home defence were applied according to Axis regulations. These consisted of the engine cowling painted yellow, under-surface wing tips painted yellow and an Axis yellow band added on the fuselage ahead of the tail. The propeller spinner was painted 1/3 yellow and 2/3 dark green. The national insignia consisted of the King Michael Cross painted on upper-surface and under- surface of the wings and on both sides of the fuselage (for more details see Appendix 4). For a short period during the summer of 1941 (during the first campaign) and in August 1944 (on the Moldavian front) the upper side of the engine cowling was partially covered with green Paint. During the summer of 1944 the spinner was painted entirely white for IAR 80/81 aircraft from Grupul 6 Vinitoare and Grupul 1 Vndtoare, as home defence markings. Also in August 1944 the spinner was decorated with a white spiral (on dark green) for IAR 80/81 aircraft of Grupul 2 Vinatoare and Grupul 4 Vindtoare used on the Moldavian front, Beginning in September 1944, the new recognition markings (Allies) were implemented for the Wester Front. These consisted of the old Romanian tricolour roundels and a white fuselage band. The upper-surfaces and the under-surfaces of the wingtips were painted white. The en- gine cowling was painted the same colour asthe fuselage; most probably a colour similar to FS 34083 green and the under-surface of the engine cowling was painted a blue grey colour most probably similar to FS 36473. The propeller spinner was entirely painted dark green. Engine cowling painting variants 1941 to August 1944. Eastern Front markings. dark ren and wnder-surface yellow, wed for a short period during the summer of 1941 (Odessa campaign) and during the from. Easter rot maskin and undersurface painted De grey Western front markings. Propeller spinner painting variants 2 3 4 astern Front markings [6Vandtoare ond Grupul 1 Vanitoare in home defence. Easter Front markings. GGrupul 2 Vinitoare and Grupul 4 Vanitoare on Moldavian fmt Summer 1944. Eastern Front markings 1944, Western markingsCamouflage scheme for IAR 80/81 aircraft of the Na. 1 to No 300 series. Eastern Front markings. D Sty BlueCamouflage scheme for IAR 81 aircraft of the No. 300 to No. 450 series and the IAR 80M series. Eastern Front markings. Dark Olive Green RM 64 Sty Blue 8590Camouflage scheme for IAR 80/81 aircraft of the No. 1 to Na. 450 series. Western Front markings.Naa ee zee cary Bessarabia, August 1941. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth and Derk Gre Undo Sy BueTh lly of thirten aerial victories painted ‘ote talfnrepresented victories obtained by ‘th squadron ad did not eng tome single pil. The photograph ofthe IAR 80 No. 42 tain was sed for propaandaby Romanian 4nd tation aviation magazines. In only two wees ft the str ofthe campaign 22-29 June 1940, Grupal 8 Vintoare obtained 56 ‘rand sound vores. The camouflage is standard fr IAR 80 ara ofthe No.1 to No. 30 series. The colar wper surfaces sere punted British Dark Earth and British Dark Gree, wrapping around the underside ofthe fslage from the wing tain ee to the rade. The undersurface ofthe usage andthe wing spine Brits ty Bl, Te ‘propel spinners painted 1/3 yellow and 23 dark Green. The ara was painted wth (Cen clidosebased paints manufactured in the United Kingdom by Celio and iported during 1939-194,w of IAR SOA TAR 80A Na. 112, Escadrila 53, Grupul 5 Vanatoare, Mamaia ai ber 1942. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth (-FS 30118) and Dark Green (-FS 34096) Undersides: Sky Blue (-FS 35550).JAR 80A Na 131 “Fe Upper surfaces: Dark JAR SOA No, 131 “Felicia, Escadila 47 Vinitoare, Pipers sified, is prepared bythe ground cewmen fra traning ‘light oma hot summer day in 1942. José Fernandee cll)JAR 80C Na, 279, Lt. Ax Barlideanu Ion, Escadrita 45, Grupul 4 Vanatoare, Targsor -Ploiesti airfield, August 1943. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth and Dark Green, Undersides: Sky Blue.JAR 80M Na 104 “Getta” flew by Lt. Ax, Gulan Gheorghe, Commander of Escadrila 64, Grupul 1 Vanatoare, Rosiori de Vede airfield, summer 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey Escala 64, Geupal 1 Vinitoae st in th TAR 80M No, 104 *Geta", Rosior 1944 Inte back is JAR SOM No, 169 flown by Sk. Midilesca Pete. Both aircraft wore the "winged 1" Group emblem painted on bth sides of ‘th engine cowlng and the tne slanted white bars Squadron 1D, painted om both sides ofthe fuselage. Locotennt Ax Glan Gheorghe, Commander of Escala 64, Grupa | Vanitoae ss in the cockpit of AR SOM No 404 Getta” om Rosi de Vede il, Summer of 194. In the background te AR 80M No 169 flown by Subloco- tenent A. Misc Petre, Both tcf woe the *1V" Group emblem painted on both sides om engine contig od the ‘ne slanted white ars Squadron 1D, painted on bth sides of th fuselage. (Galan Photo via Dan Antonin)TAR 80M Na 151, Adj.Av. Stana Vasile, Escadrila 46, Grupul 4 Vanatoare, Molda- vian Front, August 194. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey possibly. ar his JAR SOMAR 80M Na 173, Lt.Av. Barladeanu Ton Escadrila 64, Grupul 1 Vinatoare, Rosiori de Vede airfield, april 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Under: sides: Light Grey. This is one ofthe 101AR 80s r-armed by ASAM Cotroeni with 2x 792 machine suns TAR BOM (°M" for Mauser, these were repainted the uppersuraces in one colouy, a Dur Gree, and the under surfaces in Light Blue Grey, with visible demarcation line under he fuselage. The rectangular *frames” punted under the fuselage are cognition markings used by squadrons of Grapal 1 Vanitoate in onder to be easly recognized and help for regroup in the ar the young inexperience pilots. The cemiblen ofthe Group, a "winged 1V" was painted in red on the engine cowl Note the mon Standard shape ofthe propeller spinner. 220 mm Mauser cannon, Ren (On 18 April 1944, LAr, Balada fon flying IAR 80M No, 173, blly-landed on Roo de Vd ain. Note the “winged 1¥” Group emblem painted onthe engin coin and ‘the thre red rectangular “frames the rection markings of Escala 6, painted under ‘th cockpit on bth sides ofthe useage (Dam Antonin cll)C6 / . The flight of Locotenen Av. Dumitnscu Mica, the commander of Escala 61, Grupul 6 Vinitoue,Popeti-Leorden’ fed. The fist a 4s Dumitrsc’s mount, JAR 81C No, 320 with a white triangle painted under the cockpit Noe the tw red triangles painted om he Squadron recognition markings. José Fernandez coll)IAR SIC Na. 369, Lt. Av. Limburg Nicolae, Escadrila 62, Grupal 6 Vinatoare Popesti-Leordeni airfield, June 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Under sides: Light Grey renalin rig for te 2d Sui = ai with 25 AR SIGs selon dine to altedof 2300 ine at by formation of PO i iF 1 0, Cpe, Vaal Da mane of he rsp Se th ai Coming for bv nd wi le Beta 6 Vindtoare eg ian fighters shot ins but hep of ther own pilots, One of thee thee its, Lx. Av Limburg, was shot down near Aalaceana south-east of Buc IAR SIC No, 369 taxis for tae June 1944, In the cockpits Lx. Av. Limburg Nicole from Escada 62, Grupul 6 Vinatoue. Not the treble triangles painted on the fuselage, most probably recognition markings of Escala 62 (Mihai Andrei coll)JAR SIC Na. 343, Lt. Av. lanculescu Eugen, Escadrila 61, Grupul 6 Vanitoare, Popesti-Leordeni airfield June 194. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Under- sides: Light Grey aders The white cheeronwnder the cock 10 june 194 shooting down to 38s. nos probably represented. ing abate with Lihtnings of 71t FS (Ist FG), od with with the 6st Squadron, was Li. Av. fancuesc Eugen (Dan Antonin col)ey JAR 81C Na 446 “Nina”, Adj. Av. Grecu Gheorghe, Escadrila 67, Grupul 2 Vanitoare, Gherdiesti-Bacilu airfield, August 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey Theater ne n for Axis aircraft onXS) TAR SIC Na 321, Lt. Ax Nicolaescu Teodor, Escadrila 61, Grupul 6 Vanatoare, (\__Popesti-Leordeni airfield, home defence, June 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey. In December 1942, 18. Av. N Teodor, fying on IAR 8OB with Escala 41, Grupul 8 Vindtoar, shot down two Yak (Stalingrad from) IAR 81C No der marking (u triangle) unde he cockpit. The emblem of 61s Squadron, “Bambi, was punted on lage (on he eft side). The two small red rials are identifi Ist Squadron. (Razvan Bajor col) mike ters near Tir away station markingsJAR 80A Na. 134 “Mamy”, Sit. Av. Mociornifa Gheorghe, Scoala de Vandtoare, Galati airfield, September 1943. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth (-FS 30118) and Dark Green. Undersides: Sky Blue ‘In 1942 JAR 8OA No, 134 wus par of Gropul 9 Vinitoare It was decorated with four ‘ea clover” emblem and the pet-name “Mary”. In 1943, it was on strength withthe Gala Fighter Aviation School On 28 September 1943, while oma traning flight, the young Sk. AY. -Mociornitd Gheorghe damaged IAR 80A No. 134 during landing. Because ofthe extensive ‘damage, dearer was scrapped. In 1944, Mociorig joined Grupul 2 Vandtoare and was «reed with tw confirmed victories, one B-24 on 6 May and one B-24 on 18 May as well as ‘me probable victory against aB-24 shot down on 5 May. On 21 April 1945 daring a strafing attack against German column, Mociorntd was hit by AA fre and kiled instant, (Rizwan Bujor coll)JAR 80M Na, 169, St. Av, Millescu Petre, Escadtila 64, Grupul 1 Vandtoare, Rosiori de Vede airfield, June 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green similar to RLM 64/83, Undersides: Light Grey possibly RLM 76, Thee whit bar propeller spinner was, TAR SOM No. 16, the mount of St. Av. MikilescP the thee white bars Ns, Mihilescu was down and killed. Escada 64, uput 1 Vinitoae, Rosior de Vee red, the 64th Squadron recognition markings, (Dan Antoni coll) ld, June 44, NoteComandor A. Sand foam Vanitoae discussing wi {64h Squadron pilot the detail for the next miss Note the 64th Squadron emblem, the three whi inte on the fuselage (Dan Antonia coll) TAR 80B No, 225 am out of fuel after escaped with minor injures (Dan Antonin coll) nde of Grupul | tha last bars TAR 80B Na 225, Sit. Ax. Razvan Goilar, Escadrila 64, Grupul 1 Van Rosiori de Vede airfield, May 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey. The three whit stripes painted under the cockpit ae an identification marking of Escala 64, On 6 May 1944, Ravan Goilav fying IAR 8OB No, 225, while in pursuit of American bombers, ra oof uel ed to land om the aifeld located nar the town, but the he noticed tha the rs were dropping ther bombs over the town. Goi dt land further a pared field where theatcraft overturned, but he escaped sligh above Turmu Severin, He d American wounded. ymbat mission on 6 May 1944 and was overturned ner Turn Severn, Pilot St A, Racvan GoiTAR 81C No 323, Locotenent Av. Baciu Dumitru, Escadrila 61, Grupul 6 Nanitoare, Popesti-Leordeni airfield, January 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Undersides: Light Grey.TAR 81C Na 372, Sit. Av. Instructor, Balti Constantin, Scoala de Vandtoare, Ghimbav-Brasov airfield, May 1944. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green, Under- sides: Light Grey The two white scor bars painted om the adder epresent the pairofB-24s tat Baltd downed om 5 Mai 1944 1. Av. Bled Constantin lew 44 combat misions in 1944 an aimed 3 victories wis serving as a fying ‘instructor at the German-ran fighter school. He and his comrades would regularly fly emergency sorties against ‘USA aia hat were attacking Bago, (Baltd Constantin Phat)col o TAR 80As from Escada 83JAR 80B No 200, Escadrila 41, Grupul 8 Vanatoare, Tusov airfield, September 1942. Upper surfaces: Dark Earth and Dark Green, Undersides: Sky Blue JAR 808 No, 200 from Escala 41, Grupol 8 Vinitoare, Tisov airfield. (Dam Antonin coll)JAR 8IC Na. 448, Grupul 2 Vanatoare, Miskole - Hungary, April 1945. Upper S) surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey possibly. Le. Av, Mociorit A row of IAR BICs lined upon an Easter front iil. (Dam Antoni col.)JAR 80M No, 111B, Grupul 2 Vanitoare, Zvolen airfield, Czechoslovakia, April 1945, Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light Grey. IARS0A No, 111 was the fis aincraft tested with 2x EN Browning 13.2mm ‘ary machine guns. fteruands it wa r-armed with 2.x MGIS1, 20mm ‘cannons an joined Grupa 2 Vanioare IARSOM No. 11B, Grupal 2 Vinitoae, olen ainfld, Coecoslovabia, Note the unusual “B” sufi painted on the fn ex tothe serial No. 111 (Dan Antoni coll.)JAR 80B Na. 203 “White 6”, Lt. Ax. Popescu Greaca, Hotila 3 Vanitoare, West- ern Front, spring 1945. Upper surfaces: Dark Olive Green. Undersides: Light GreyMesserschmitt Bf 109E In December 1939, Aeronautica Regal Roménd placed an order for 50 BF 109E fighters with the spring of 1940 and the remain aft arrived duri rische Flugzeugwerke. The first eleven ai Based on Pipera-Bucharest airfield the newly formed Grapul 7 Vandtoare ing 39 came a year lat ‘7th Fighter Group), received the modern German fighters. The commander of the Group was Lt op The Romanian BF 109E fig Comandor. Ax: Alexandru “Popicu” Popisteanu. rs took part in Operation Barbarossa from the very beginning of hey escorted the bombers attacking Soviet airfil operations, when On 22 June 1941, four Bf 109E-3 fighters led by C Escadrila 57), strafed Ialoveni airfield where around 15 planes were parked. After the first pass Av, Alexandru Manoliu (commander of two Soviet planes were set on fire (one by Cpt. Au: Manoliu, the other by Lt. Au Scurtu Dan). The next day, 16 Romanian Bf 109Es engaged 25 Soviet fi any losses, On 25 June 1941, a flight under the command of Lt. Coma ters and shot down six of them, without Au, Popisteanu strafed Basarabeasca railway station. They were attacked by several I-16 fighters, and managed to shoot 1941, the 56th Squadron made a low-level attack against Bulgirica n made a similar attack against Tatar-Copceac airfield. They claimed infield and the 57th Squat down two of them. On Soviet planes destroyed on the 7 Vinatoare occurred on S July 1941, when Bf 109E-3 No. 22 of Adj Stag. Ax lie Vatimanu was hit by the Soviet AA and crashed. Two days later, Adj. Au loan Panait The first loss of Grupul shot down one Rata. On 8 July, two other I-16s were claimed by the Group’s pilots. On 27 July 1941, the Gi manian troops, crossing the Dniester. Adj.Ax, Stefan Greceanu shot down one Soviet biplane. The next day, Adj.Ai ainly fighter cover for the R up flew 47 sorties, Tiberiu Vinca with Adj.Ay Malicescu Toan, attacked a formation of five Soviet fighters. Vinca man= aged to shoot down one of them. On 4 August 1941, during an escort mission, Sit.Au. Ovidiu Clopotel (57th Squadron), flying Bf 109E No, 14, shot down an I-16, but was hit during the fight. He made a forced-landing close adioed the Group about his situation and Lt. C-dor. AN Popisteanu with Lt. C-dor. Av. Nagaevschi came with a Fw $8 and to the first line north of Grigoriopol. He ued him. Four days later, a flight under the command of Lt. Au Bocsan engaged eight Ratas. They spotted. a similar Soviet formation and a lone Romanian IAR-39 biplane under attack. They dived to save the biplane and four Soviet fighters were shot down in the dogfight. On 18 August 1941, the S8th Squadron engaged a formation of eight I-16 fighters which were attacking Romanian infantry and shot down four of them .On his way back, Adj. Au (e) Tiberiu Vinca spotted a Soviet fighter and shot it down. Three days later, Grupul 7 Vandtoare lost its ‘BF 1096-3 No 9, dsman- ted for transport the ASAM repair shop, spring 19a (Tomasz J. Kopatski call)near Bf 109E-3 No. 16 “Dor de Duc, Pipers sified summer 1942. (Dan Antonin cll) 2B 1093 No. 48 “Don Pedro and Bf 1096-3 No. 114 "Dor de Duct” with ground crewmen on Pipers

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