Rumanian Hurricanes claiming ten 'Grumman' fighters on June 30, 1941...

[Graham Boak]

The Rata was misidentified as a Curtiss, during the Spanish Civil War. However, the Grumman FF-1 did see service in that war, so could have entered the Axis recognition guides that way. My opinion is that the likeliest type is the I-153, but are there any other reports of the Romanians claiming Grummans, or indeed recognising the I-153 as what it was? One example is likely to be misleading.

[focusfocus]

thanks Dénes for the names of rumanians pilots
I have no information of soviet side but I inquire

[Graham Boak]

If you think about what prominent feature would make the Romanian pilots think "Grumman", then it has to be a retractable undercarriage on a biplane. The I-153 certainly does not look like the F4F, but in the heat of combat it could be mistaken for the Grumman FF-1, the Grumman SF-1, the Grumman F2F or the Grumman F3F. These don't look a lot like the I-153 to our better-informed, more relaxed, eye, with time to think and consider, but then the I-16 doesn't look much like the F4F either.

[Modeldad]

At this point any radial engined aircraft could be "mistaken" for a Grumman fighter. Even if Graham is correct, the FF-1 "FiFi"was a good size two seater. Some FF-1 aircrat reached Spain, but was designated as the G-23 Delfin and made by CCF in Canada. At least one Republican aircraft (AD-001) was captured by the Nationalist and repainted in nationalist markings. The F2F or the F3F does look a little closer to a small bi-plane fighter.

SEE: http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/ga...cal/index.html

[Stig Jarlevik]

Denes

You list seven pilots, but state 10 victories. This means some claimed more than one. Care to share with us which pilots who did?

I cannot find this combat in your Osprey book about the aces

Cheers
Stig