Ivan Shamanov

[kirche]

Hi Michael,
Ivan G. Shamanov from the spring of 1943, he served in the "Third Red Banner squadron" of 1 GMTAP. Was the commander of air flight, and then became commander of the squadron (at least until the end of 1944).
A "Third red banner squadron" used Il-4 to the end of the war. From the end of 1944, the Il-4 was used as a "night-miner".
In the summer of 1942, and 29.09.1942, 30.09.1942, 26.01.1943 and 13.04.1943 Ivan G. Shamanov successfully bombed the enemy airfields. Perhaps the planes were destroyed on the ground?
The only data about the downed plane is here: http://blokada.otrok.ru/biogr.php?l=25&n=1aig&t=1
But it's not the documents.

I think Ivan Shamanov until the end of the war was flown on the Il-4. He had a lot of experience in night flying (bombing, mining and torpedoing ships), but I don't think he's in the last months of the war (when he was an instructor pilot) went to be retrained on the new aircraft, which had a different tactic of use (tactical air flight "torpedo bomber" + "skip-bomber").
Part A-20G in 1 GMTAP converted into torpedo bombers (removed the nose guns (except one) and made the cabin of the Navigator). The other A-20G was used for skip-bombing.

Best regards,
Kirill

[knusel]

Hi Kirill,

very intresting.
Can you confirm Mellinger's statement (p84) that "a handful of pilots attained ace status in the A-20" ?

Have a nice evening,

Michael

[knusel]

...I'm still intrested in the planes (Il-4?) in which Shamanov scored or in any A-20 aces.

Cheers,

Michael

[knusel]

Good morning Kirill,

can we say that Ivan Shamanov most probably flew an Il-4 for his eight kills ?
(That would be the second-most kills in the type after Stepan Kretov's 10 or 12.)

Have a nice weekend,

Michael