Quote:
Originally Posted by twocee
John,
Just to clarify:
12 Zekes were claimed over Kavieng on 1 January by VF18 (Bunker Hill) and VF30 (Monterey).
The Tony, one of two seen, was intercepted about 20 miles from the Task Group. It appeared to be painted black and had underwing fuel tanks. When attacked it attempted to loop back on to the tail of the attacker, which makes it unlikely to have been a Judy. Would the latter have tried mixing it in a dogfight?
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Well, the mystery deepens.
The comment of underwing tanks might indicate a Tony, if not a "black" one. And, no, unless it was a very aggressive pilot, I would not think a Judy would attempt to dogfight. Of course, an Immelman would be an attempt to get away....
It always amazes me how bad the pilots of all nations were in a/c ID. Of course, the stress of combat might help this. I know we latter day historians are deep into ID'ing and can recognize sillouetes easily. But if I were in combat I think I might spend some time learning how to recognise aircraft if for self-protection if no other reason.
I also wonder how much of bad ID'ing might be implanted by intelligence or wishful thinking? Within weeks of USAAF sending out notifications about the Fw 190D9, they were being encountered in combat reports in the early summer of 1944, in spite of the fact they were not operational until late fall.