Vought Sikorsky Vindicators used by the Germans

[Cherrybomber13]

I have been doing some deep research and ran across this story.
Has anyone seen any photos etc?

*Note what the newspaper called the 156

Originally Printed : Middlesboro Kentucky Daily News Thursday, July 25, 1940

American Made Planes Used By Germans

London - German planes, reinforced by American made bombers obtained from france, resumed mass raids on Britain today, especially aimed at costal shipping but the air ministry reported successful counter action by fighting craft.
Five Germans were downed.

Bomber fleets attacked a British convoy twice in the North Sea in the morning hours. The first fleet was repulsed by anti-aircraft guns of escort ships and British fighter planes beat off the second one. The air ministry disclosed that the Germans were now using American Chance Vought – 156 bomber planes, which had been sold to Britain’s late ally, France, in their attacks on Britain.

(The Chance Vought now is known as the Vought Sikorsky “Corsair” V-156, a model identical to one used in the United States navy but with many exclusive features removed. It is manufactured by the Vought Sikorsky Division of United Aircraft Corp.)

Two Shot Down

Two of the American made planes were shot down and a third crippled by British Spitfire fighter, asserted to be the fastest military planes in the world, in fighting yesterday. The Chance Vought planes were used as dive bombers. Spitfire fighters encountered them twice yesterday accompanied by German Messerschmitt 109 fighters.

At the first meeting one Chance Vought and two Messerschmitts crashed into the sea early in the fight and a second Chance Vought attacked by a British sergeant pilot in a Spitfire, fell in a spin, with pieces flying from it. In the second fight, a Messerschmitt plunged down out of control and a Chance Vought limped away with a severely damaged wing. Twelve German planes in all were shout down, it was asserted.

[Dan K]

Pic of a POW, but no Luftwaffe markings...yet!

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=54276

[Dan K]

Ok, Drew. I think I've got your answer.

It would seem the "V-156" aircraft attacked by the RAF on July 25 was a case of mistaken identity during the heat of battle, as Spitfires actually attacked a flight of Blackburn Skua of the Royal Navy, shooting down one.

I found this in some online excerpts of the book The Many Not the Few.

http://books.google.com/books?id=DgUmOO ... CEAQ6AEwBA

The Jurassic computer I'm using can't get individual page numbers to list. But search through the section for "Day 16 - Thursday, July 25, 1940" and the event is described.


An interesting mystery already solved.

[Cherrybomber13]

DanK - Thanks for the interesting find. So it seems like a case of friendly fire. Makes a good bumper end to the story though.

[Dan K]

DanK - Thanks for the interesting find. So it seems like a case of friendly fire. Makes a good bumper end to the story though.

You're entirely welcome, Drew.

I must say I was comforted with the realization that the media of 1940 was able to run blindly with hearsay almost as vigorously as done today.

[whistlingdeath77]

DanK - Thanks for the interesting find. So it seems like a case of friendly fire. Makes a good bumper end to the story though.

Drew, are you coming to the warbird air show up in mass. In August?

[SaxMan]

I think you'll also find that when the Focke-Wulf 190 first entered service, they were initially dismissed as captured Curtiss Hawk 75s flying in German colors...except the performance was completely beyond what a Hawk 75 could do!