Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

On 9.3.42, Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs claimed victories over I-16s at 1020 and 1030 respectively. Were these from 728 IAP, whose Starshina Alexander Yevdokimovich Novikov HSU & OL, was KIA and possibly the aircraft of Starshiy Serzhant Igor Kustov was badly damaged?

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Trauloft's claim is probably one of the I-16's from the 4 GIAP KBF since it was in the Luyban region. Ml. Lt. Iosif Denisovich Yulymov of the 4 GIAP KBF was last seen heading NW of Zenino on that date (Don't have the time of the mission) in his I-16. Zenino is to the NE of Luyban.

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Many thanks, Nokose.

Is it known what caused the 728 IAP losses in any case?

Nick

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Nick, since Novikov was shot down in the Cholm (Kholm) region in an air battle and I don't have the time its hard to tell. From just looking it appears that one of the German pilots misid'ed his I-16 as an I-61. So it was someone from 7./JG 3 or 5./JG 51 on escort duty to Cholm.

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Thanks for the info!
Say, I hope the JG 54 vs 8th AAF info I posted was of use or interest to you...

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Hi

Trautlofts claim was a I-16 with ski. He see the plane over the Wolchow and after two attack crash the plane near the street Tschudowo-Ljuban, the pilot was killed.

Greetings Christian

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Thanks Christian,

Does anyone know if the fact that the I-16 had skis would change its type-designation in any way? i.e. I-16 type x or something?

Nick

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

To my knowledge, no. The skis wereused only at winter, so it was only an alternative landing gear, on other times these planes used normal landing gear with wheels. All captions I recall only says e.g. "I-16 Type 17 with ski undercarriage"

Juha

Re: Hannes Trautloft and Karl Fuchs' victories 9.3.42
 

Many thanks, Juha. I had a feeling that was how it worked but you never know until you ask.

Nick