28ZComeback Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Can anyone speak to the types and/or quantities of Italian aircraft captured by the Royal Hellenic Army, 1940-41? A few references cite multiple aircraft but only one type is clearly shown by photo evidence--a SM-79. Thank you in advance for any references or suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junchan Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 According to ON SPARTAN WINGS, THE ROYAL HELLENIC AIR FORCE IN WORLD WAR TWO, the only Italian-built airplane used by the RHAF was an abandaned SM 79 which collided with three CR 42s in Korce and was repaired by Greeks. Jun in Tokyo https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/albums 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted April 19, 2017 Author Share Posted April 19, 2017 Thanks Jun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkoZG Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 I believe there were also two Meridionali Ro.37 biplanes captured, but I am not sure if they were in flyable condition. As far as my memory serves me, the source for this information is Squadron book "Air war for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete" 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junchan Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I checked the book "Air war for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete" and found a photo of the two captured Ro. 37s with the wings removed. The caption of the photo says that "Greek personnel dismantle two captured Meridionali Ro.37bis aircraft for shipment south from recently-captured Koritza airfield in January 1941. In the background is the crash-landed S.73, 606-7 (ex 1-LODI).", but there was no further information on the fate of these Ro. 37s. I don't think they flew again under control of the RHAF. Jun in Tokyo https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/albums 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 Thanks again Jun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dim_Thessalonica Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 (edited) Hi 28ZComeback, AFAIK, what Jun cites is correct. There was one SM79 captured by the Greek army in Korytza. It was left behind with minimum damage, after the Italian army's hasty withdrawal, and after some minor repairs, it flew south to Athens. In case you don't have them I post below four pictures of this airplane, the first three from Korytza airfield, and the third probably in a hangar in Faliron, Athens. As you may see, Greek markings where painted over the Italian ones in six positions (fuselage, upper, lower wings). Most probably it was used very few times, due to the lack of spares. As to the two Ro37 that were also captured in Korytza, opinions are divided as to if they were ever transported to Athens, and if they were used by the Royal Hellenic Air Force in any way. Most probably they were not, since apparently there are two pictures with some months difference, showing them at the same spot. Unfortunately I have only the first one, mentioned by Jun. A long time ago, I had also read about the case of a couple of Italian confiscated hydros (but never used by RHAF), but I am too far away fro my sources unfortunately. In any case, we can be "sure" only for the SM79. Hope this helps. Dimitrios Edited April 23, 2017 by Dim_Thessalonica 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 Yasou Demetrius! Eferestou bero Belee! Kostas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 On 21.04.2017 at 5:59 PM, Junchan said: The caption of the photo says that "Greek personnel dismantle two captured Meridionali Ro.37bis aircraft for shipment south from recently-captured Koritza airfield in January 1941. In the background is the crash-landed S.73, 606-7 (ex 1-LODI).", but there was no further information on the fate of these Ro. 37s. I don't think they flew again under control of the RHAF. On photo we have Ro 37, not "Ro-37 bis" - the V engined, not radial one. Cheers J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 Many thanks!! I appreciate the explanation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonelpablo Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Pics Please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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