Aldo Buvoli
 

Good evening,

how many of Aldo Buvoli's kills were scored in the Fiat G50bis ?

Michael

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

Hello,
Maresciallo (WO) Aldo Buvoli is credited of six kills during WWII + two during the SCW.
At least four of his kills were obtained on a Fiat G50bis of 378^ Squadriglia / CLV Gruppo CT (CastelBenito, Lybia) on July, 9th, 1941 when he shot down four (out of seven) Blenheims IV of 110 Squadron, off Tripoli, sent to attack shipping in the area.
The Blenheims were Z6449, Z9537, Z9553 and Z9578.

Regards

Fabrizio

Sources
Shores, Cull, Malizia "Malta: the Hurricane years 1940-41", Grub Street, 1987
Massimello /Apostolo "Italian Aces of the WW2", Osprey, 2000

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

Hello Fabrizio,

I've heard about the story with the Blenheims. I wonder if he scored the decisive fifth (or sixth) G.50bis kill to make him an ace on that type...

Have a nice first Advent,

Michael

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

All

Shores and Massimello give a different view in 'A history of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-45 vol 1.

On page 496-497 Massimello states that Buvoli in MM6384 only claimed two of these Blenheims, the other two were claimed by Paolo Montanari and Ottorino Ambrosi.

Since Giovanni Massimello clearly seems to know what he is talking about I have no reason to doubt his further research. It certainly add/replace whatever was stated in Malta, the Hurricane Years and should certainly also update the Osprey book.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

Hello Stig,

I haven't got the newer volume of Mr Massimello. Does he downgrade the total of Buvoli to 6 (4 WW2+2 SCW) ?
Or does he mention what aircraft flew for his other two WW2 kills ?

Have a nice first Advent,

Michael

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

Michael

I don't know anything about any separate writings by Massimello.
The book I am refering to is the (by now) standard reference work regarding the North African campaign (vol 1 and 2 published in 2012 and vol 3 hopefully next year)

With regard to myself, I don't stare myself blind on the aces as such since I want to understand the campaigns and I have in fact not a clue if Buvoli by now is downgraded in his victory total or not. Makes no difference to me....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

Hello,

as a passionate collector of top-aces-by-plane it is of largest importance to me to find out ever someone attained 5 or more kills in the Fiat G.50bis. Buvoli might be a candidate...

Michael

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

I've checked his flight book and the only claims of Aldo Buvoli in G.50 were those ones claimed on 9 july 1941: so he was not an ace in that aircraft.

Gianandrea

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

If you are searching for the Fiat G 50 aces, I would advice to look also for the Finnish pilots. They were quite successful with Fiat and I guess that such character as Oiva Tuominen is the all-time top ace with Fiat G 50 - I´m not sure if his score with Fiat was as high as 23 (should be checked). Other Finnish Fiat aces were Olli Puhakka (15 air victories with Fiat) and Nils Trontti (6 air victories with Fiat).

According to Finnish sources they claimed in total 99 air victories with Fiat and lost just 3 Fiats in air combat and the air combat "kill/loss" -rate with Fiats was the best of all aircraft of Finnish Air Force! This success is partly explained by the fact that Fiat was used as an active combat aircraft during the time when confronted Soviet fighters were mostly such types as Polikarpov I-16 or I-153. Other success factor were unescorted Soviet bomber formations which suffered heavy losses from the interceptions of Finnish fighters.

Re: Aldo Buvoli
 

Hello,

'Oippa' Tuominen claimed 15 with the G.50 (+2 shared) (http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/finland_tuominen.htm)

Is there anyone with dates for Buvoli's claims in Spain (one claim 10/03/38?).

Best wishes/Håkan