Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

For serial aircraft averaged data:
The optimum altitude of the flight of PE-8 with AM-35A is listed as 6300-6400 m (the power of the engine at 1,200). Load 2000 (normal)/4000 (max), the flight range of 3,600 km (probably at normal load and the optimum height).
The PE-8 with M-82 - the optimal altitude of 5600 meters (the power of the engine ~1300), load 2000 (normal)/5000 (max), the range of 5800 km.
The DB-3F with M-88 - optimal altitude 6600 m (engine power at an altitude of 1000). Weight 1000 (normal)/2500 (max), range 3300 km.
The Il-4 with M-88B - optimal altitude 6200-6300 m (engine power at an altitude of 1000). Weight 1000 (normal)/2500 (max), range 3300/3800 km.

According to the memoirs of pilots, the altitude was close to optimal. Above it was necessary to include the second speed supercharger (for Il-4) that increased the fuel consumption and engine load.
AM-35A was the high-altitude motor, but it was heavy and had a high fuel consumption. Better altitude characteristics were AM-37 (for Er-2) , but he was never brought to mass production.

regards,
Kirill

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

Kirill,

Thank you very much, it looks like your data is the sort of reasonable operational average we have been looking for! In terms of comparative performance, I think it's the DB-3F that emerges as quite a good aircraft, the altitude performance looks very good when set against its contemporaries.

The flaws of the AM-35A do appear to have been substantial, even though the average figures that you give for the Pe-8 are still very respectable. The Yer-2 could have been a very good aircraft, Roberto Bartini certainly made a substantial effort to make it so. A pity that like with so many of his ideas, the implementation by industry lagged far behind.

Warm regards,

Paul

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

Hi guys

Most interesting but what about my original question regarding the two possible Russian/German spies including 'Sgt Alexis Stadnik' ?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

And essentially the same what I gave in my message#31

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

Hello Brian
OT but did you notice or have you already earlier been aware of the 13 Sept 43 27th FG Blue-on-Blue case which is in the link udf 00 gave in the A-36 Apache losses over Sicily -thread #11? See http://raf-112-squadron.org/27thfghonor_roll43-44.html 13 Sep 43 Wenger, Donald R

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

Brian, Good Day.
For Russian spies have a very poor legend. However for German spies (Ukrainian origin) the legend is also very leaky.
More like ordinary soldiers from captivity or adventurers who wanted to give more importance and heroism itself, and they wanted to show that in captivity they were not so long, so they're definitely not spies.
Note that about the Soviet air force raids on Berlin in 1942 it became known on 13 September 1942 (there was a lot of press and radio information from the allies on that day). Prior to that, Germany tried to keep the raids secret.

Best regards,
Kirill

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

On the same context worth to mention that Berlin was also raided in 1941 at least two times by Soviet Navy from a North Eastern base along with Bucharest and Budapest. Relevant to mention that Bucharest was raided in October by a sea based bomber which flew almost 18 hours from Sevastopol to Bucharest and back ending up in IMC condition near Azov sea due to a navigation error. As into the bombed targets most of them were not even scratched despite great PR from Moscow.

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

This information is less than half the truth. Berlin was attacked by the Soviet Navy aircraft eight times in August and September 1941 (VVS KBF DB-3T).
Next Berlin was four times attacked by long-range aviation aircraft (VVS DBA - DB-3A, DB-3F). All crews had to take off from one Estonian island, but flew out with two different airfileds, sometimes during one night (three times) and sometimes separately (5 times navy, 1 time - land VVS DBA). Naval aviation and land DBA were made from the Estonian island together 9 attacks on Berlin in 1941.

Next, added to this is yet another raid made from the vicinity of Leningrad by the crews of long range TB-7 and Jer-2.

Together Berlin was attacked 10 times in August and September 1941.

Probably these 10 Soviet air raids resulted in only 4 actually reaching over Berlin and dropping bombs.

regards
mw

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

My post reffered to Soviet Navy only also I did not enter into details
as into how many eventhough was aware of.

Re: Russians bomb Berlin 13 September 1942
 

Frankly speaking be precise in what you write, or not write anything and then you will do less damage! The Error is an error, and less then half the true is still less then half the true.

These entries (or one) are very harmful, speaking very euphemistically!

Regards,
mw