Walter Wolfrum and the mythical YAK-3

[kaki3152]

I've finished translating this small narrative by Walter Wolfrum where he gets shot down by a Russian fighter, in which he is out-turned and has to crash-land later. I believe this happened on June 16,1944

One part of his statement he says "I knew that a Yak-9 cannot turn much tighter curves than I can"

Afterwards General Seidemann told him that he was hallucinating regarding this new Russian fighter. Wolfrum writes: "I wanted to say something, but under the influence of brandy and boiling with rage I brought forth no more than a babbling."

So was Walter shot down by a YAk3 or by a well flown YAK 9 (or YAK1) Any comments welcomed.

[Nokose]

Are you possibly referring to the 16 Jul 1944 when he was shot down by Airacobras of the 9 IAP.

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

My friend Bernd Barbas knew Wolfrum well. I did ask of the severe wounds attained on 16th July 1944. I was told severely wounded in hip by 37mm shell, which I would think came from an Airacobra. I can find no lose for him on 16th June 1944.
Died on 26th August 2010 by getting too hot in the summer heat.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[kaki3152]

Johannes,

Thanks for the information.

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Bernd always thought there could be a confusion between P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra? in this instance. I think P-63's were very rare. Anyway he I think mentions it in his I./JG 52 publication. If you would like a copy I can give you the contact details.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[John Beaman]

Speaking out of ignorance didn't one the Yak 9 variants carry a 37mm gun?

[Nokose]

Yes John, the Yak-9T had a 37mm cannon through the hub.

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Bernd Barbas has forwarded me a letter he received from Wolfrum in August 1991. In it he states that he was in a dog-fight with P-39's, but could be P-63's. Not only was he badly wounded in his right hip, but a half inch bullet was removed from his right buttock. He had lost much blood. The significant part is the bullet being referred to as half inch, which can only imply a yankie bullet.

The P-63 in my ignorance was the successor to the P-39?, certainly they look similar, and I presume it was armed with half inch MG's, and a 37mm cannon?

I do by memory recall seeing P-63's in the mikrofilms as claims, I think with reference to JG 51, but at this time JG 51 and JG 52 fronts may have overlapped anyway. Still certain aircraft types were more common in certain areas, i.e the U.S types seem to me more popular in the north, but Il-2's seem rarer there. Somebody that is expert to Russian aircraft types can probably tell us if P-63's were likely in the area involved.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Kutscha]

Soviet P-63s were only to used against the Japanese. Not that they didn't tho.

P-39

• Length: 30 ft 2 in (9.2 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.4 m)
• Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m)

P-63

[Evgeny Velichko]

Johannes:

According official soviet records, none of P-63's were in active service on the front.