26th July, 1943 - Koolhoven FK 58?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hallo Christian

Why "no way"? I know of course Vichy was disbanded in Dec 1942. My theory is in fact BASED upon that fact!
At that time Luftwaffe took over 173 Bloch fighters, 83 in condition I and 90 in condition III. A further 84 were considered (if I understand the book by Serge Joanne correctly). Why do you consider it so impossible that at least ONE of these Bloch fighters had not been repainted some 6 months later that it still could carry the Vichy colours on nose and tail? The general Bloch camouflage could ALSO very well be taken for an "Italian" camouflage since I believe any opposing fighter pilot seing something different from Luftwaffe's splinter type camouflage, probably would think "Italian". The Bloch fighters were to a large degree distributed to various Luftwaffe units IN France.

Mind you I am not talking Gospel here, but I think before you shoot down the theory you should do it a bit better, than simply say NO WAY and give a reason which rather emphasize my surmising than refuting it.

I am very much aware that both Allied and Axis pilots had grave "spotting" problems in the air, but every report was not necessarily "benzodrine fixed"

Again I don't mind the theory gets crossfired, but I think it deserves a little more credit than that!

Cheers
Stig