[Brian]

Hi guys

From reading John Iverach's "Chronicals of a Nervous Navigator", one learns of a collision between an I-16 Rata and RAF Catalina W8247 of 240 Squadron, in late July 1941.

The Catalina was carrying General Filipp Golikov to Britain and had taken-off from the Dvina River (Archangel), and was escorted by three Soviet fighters. An hour into the flight, one of the I-16s suddenly carried out a presumed mock attack and grazed the Catalina's starboard wing, forcing the pilot to return to Archangel. The fighter pilot also survived and landed at a nearby airfield with his damaged aircraft.

The author (John Iverach) was informed that the errant pilot would be shot! Following repairs the Catalina made the trip to Britain, arriving on 31 July 1941.

Several questions for those who may know more, please:

a) The actual date of the incident?
b) The name and unit of the Soviet pilot?
c) What was his fate?

Cheers
Brian