Italian aircraft and their top aces

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Gianandrea Bussi

Stig,
I've not checked the british losses but italian pilot often misidentified Beaufighter, Blenheim, Beaufort...
Gianandrea

Agreed
Will have to check other twin-engine (non-bomber/attack) losses as well.

Cheers
Stig

[knusel]

Good morning Gentlemen,

"Reggiane Fighters in action" by G. Punka mentions a Capt Marcolini as 377a Squadriglia commander but also that this unit scored no kills.
However, this website
https://plane-encyclopedia.com/ww2/r...re-2000-falco/
indicates a Blenheim kill as the only RE.2000 victory in Italian service.

Have a good Saturday,

Michael

[knusel]

I wonder if it's possible to identify the pilots of gunner ace Pietro Bonannini, who scored 9 kills:
1. 25 Oct 1941 - a Hurricane in a Cant Z 506B piloted by Walter Montanari
2. 13 Dec 1941 - a Spitfire in a Cant Z 506B
3. 20 Dec 1941 - a Spitfire in a Cant Z 506B
4. 15 Feb 1942 – a Blenheim
5. 1 May 1942 – a Blenheim
6. 9 May 1942 - a Spitfire in a Fiat RS14
7. 9 May 1942 - a Spitfire in a Fiat RS14
8. 5 Nov 1942 - a Beaufighter in a Fiat RS14
9. 6 Jan 1943 - a Blenheim in a Cant Z 506B

[fabriziogttf]

Hello, for #6 (Flt. Sgt. Charlie Valiquet, RCAF, KIA) and #7 (Flt. Sgt. John Rounsefell, RCAF, KIA), pilot Sottoten. Luigi Arco (170^ Squadriglia RM), according to "Malta: the Spitfire year 1942", Grub Street, 1991, page 247
Regards

Fabrizio

[knusel]

Good evening Fabrizio,

that's interesting. Thank you.

Best greetings from Switzerland,

Michael

[Gianandrea Bussi]

According to "Quarant'anni due idroscali - Augusta, Siracusa e l'aviazione" by the late Tullio Marcon:

1. pilot was ten. Raffaele Montanari 170a Sq.

2. pilot was s.ten. Agostino Di Salvatore 170a Sq but Bonannini is not mentioned as crewmember or claimer

3. pilot was ten. Primo Conversano, 170a Sq.
4. no claim mentioned on this date

5. pilot was ten. Francesco Brea but Bonannini is not mentioned as crewmember or claimer
6. and 7. pilot was ten. Pier Luigi Colli (STV Renato Arco was the observer), RS.14 170a Sq

8. 6 novembre 1942, RS.14 170a Sq., pilot s.ten. Vittorino Pruneri, Beaufighter claimed as damaged
9. no claim mentioned on this date

ciao

Gianandrea

[knusel]

Good morning Gianandrea,

thanks for your interesting post.
Do you know what aircraft type Francesco Brea was flying on 1 May 1942 ?

Have a good Thursday,

Michael

[Gianandrea Bussi]

RS.14 MM 35388. Pilot was ten. Francesco Brera (not Brea, sorry). The seaplane and the "Blenheim" exploded some bursts and the other pilot (name not reported in the book) of the seaplane was slightly wounded. Apparently the italian aircraft didn't claimed the enemy aircraft as s/d.


ciao


Gianandrea

[knusel]

Good morning Gianandrea,

did Bonannini serve in a Cant Z 506B or a Fiat RS14 in February 1942 ?

I wish you a good start into the weekend,

Michael

[Gianandrea Bussi]

According to the same source, on 15 february 1942 170a Sq. lost CZ.506 170-10 MM 45323, shot down by to Beaufighter of 252 Sq. Bonannini wasn't part of the crew, the "armiere" was serg. magg. Salvatore Puca, killed. No italian claim reported on this date.


The first two RS.14 of 170a Sq. arrived on 2 march 1942


ciao


Gianandrea