US Aircraft captured by the Germans

[Seafury1]

Question;

I know the Germans painted some of the bombers they captures black. Did they paint captured Mustangs back? Does anybody have photos of black mustangs in Europe?

[JägerMarty]

Have a search through here ....

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/forum ... owforum=51

[DoraNineFan]

Captured aircraft were painted similar to this P-38, though some Mustangs were natural metal on the upper surfaces. The KG 200 special ops unit used B-17s and B-24s for clandestine and resupply missions. I don't recall those being painted black, but perhaps they were.

[Seafury1]

thanks for the link. Good info. I do recall seeing photos of black german captured bombers. How ever, a Pilot claims he saw black mustangs as well.

[JDK]

How ever, a Pilot claims he saw black mustangs as well.

Is that an Allied pilot?

There were numerous claims of attack by "friendly fighters that weren't" throughout both wars, but very little evidence of it, then or later. IIRC, An Italian operated P-38 was used against allied bombers - the one documented case I can recall offhand. There were other things, like in W.W.I a German pilot used a captured aircraft to visit allied fields for spying - but actual attacks by others? Mostly confusion in combat and bar scuttlebutt.

As to colour ID in the air - how would you tell OD/grey from black in combat?

Just some thoughts, more info most welcome.

[Elroy13]

WOW! Thanks for the link. I knew that the Germans captured some aircraft but I had no idea that many examples were captured! A PIPER CUB!!!

Ive heard several personal stories of captured American aircraft still in US markings making their ways into formations just to turn their guns on the Air Corp.

[JDK]

Ive heard several personal stories of captured American aircraft still in US markings making their ways into formations just to turn their guns on the Air Corp.

Much more palatable than accepting a lot of gunners blazing away with .50s are going to achieve a lot of accidental friendly fire.

Lots of stories, only evidence of one example - IIRC.

[jet1]

WOW! Thanks for the link. I knew that the Germans captured some aircraft but I had no idea that many examples were captured! A PIPER CUB!!!

Ive heard several personal stories of captured American aircraft still in US markings making their ways into formations just to turn their guns on the Air Corp.

in the italian theater. as i recall they only used it twice before it was grounded for lack of spare parts to keep it flying

[gregv]

How ever, a Pilot claims he saw black mustangs as well.

Is that an Allied pilot?

There were numerous claims of attack by "friendly fighters that weren't" throughout both wars, but very little evidence of it, then or later. IIRC, An Italian operated P-38 was used against allied bombers - the one documented case I can recall offhand. There were other things, like in W.W.I a German pilot used a captured aircraft to visit allied fields for spying - but actual attacks by others? Mostly confusion in combat and bar scuttlebutt.

As to colour ID in the air - how would you tell OD/grey from black in combat?

Just some thoughts, more info most welcome.

I have an ancient ARCO "Famous Aircraft Series" book on the B-24 that has a crewman's report of "a Spitfire, lustre black all over with large crosses...wonder who he was" tearing through the formation, with an Me-109 as his wingman apparently.

Going from memory here, but I can quote it from the source later if you wish.

I also recall a quip from Charles Lamb in "War in a Stringbag" recounting the attacks on the Illustrious by Stukas that were painted black all over with swastikas in red circles on the fuselages....

I think it is safe to assume that a combination of the heat of action and the passing of years has an effect on memories, but again who knows?

cheers

greg v.

cheers

greg v.