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80th Anniversary of the Air Battle Over the Ore Mountains
On Saturday, September 7, with some friends I attended an international aviation event , which commemorated the 80th anniversary of the air battle that took place on September 11, 1944, over Kovářská, Czech Republic, in the Ore Mountains. I have already visited several times Kovářská and its local museum, dedicated for many years to the air battle. This article is not only a summary of my impressions of the aviation event but also an outsider’s perspective on the broader context surrounding Kovářská and the battle itself.
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FIREWORKS OVER BUDAPEST
In 1944 Hungarian oil took on an added importance in the planning of Germany’s oil plant dispersal program. Hungarian crude had always been of particular value in view of its 30 per cent gasoline content as compared with an average gasoline content of German and Austrian crude oils of not more than 10 per cent. In the Geilenberg dispersal program an important part in gasoline production was to be played by the plants designated as Ofen, which were primitive topping plants. Over twenty of these plants were planned and their most efficient feedstock would have been Hungarian crude by the use of which the gasoline offtake of these plants would ‘have been three times as large as the use of German crudes would have allowed. While the capacities of the Hungarian refineries were small compared to other larger refineries in other Axis held European countries, their value to the Axis was greatly out of proportion to their capacities because of their strategic locations and because Hungarian crude oil was being produced in excess of Hungarian refining capacity. Air offensive against Hungarian important strategical war targets started in February 1944, but the first raid on oil refinery was on 14 June 1944, performed by the USAAF during daylight. The first night attack of the RAF bombers was realized on night from 12 to 13. June 1944, when oil refinery was bombed. The raiders were the crews of 205. Group RAF. And more attacks on Hungarian oil refineries followed...
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THEY FOUGHT TO REBUILD
Czechoslovak fighter pilots made their mark in the history of World War II air combat on several fronts, but the most significant was undoubtedly their service in the Royal Air Force. And the aircraft used by the Czechoslovaks in the most numerous numbers was the Spitfire Mk.V. It stayed in operational service of each Squadron and subsequently the entire Czechoslovak Wing until January 1944, when it was replaced by the Mk.IX version.
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Air War over Ukraine - He Who Sows the Wind Reaps the Storm in the Kursk Region
Ukraine has been attempting retaliation on enemy territory since the first day of Russian aggression. Initially, these were sporadic missile, or drone strikes on key targets, gradually intensifying and now amounting to a strategic offensive. There have also been several ground raids by Russian legions fighting against Putin’s regime, though they always quickly retreated back to Ukrainian territory. However, during the observed period (from August 1 to August 31), the war fully expanded into the Russian territory.
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Do zteče!
„Do zteče ostře!“ ("Attack hard!") This is how the pilots of Czech L-39s, conducting combat test firing, asked by radio the ground controller for permission to launch unguided rockets, fire a cannon or drop bombs. As the controller was usually designated a flying personnel, he was located within the firing range area at a safe distance from the impact area but within sight of it during the firing. The leader of the pair, after receiving clearance from the controller, only issued the instruction "Ready" to the wingman pilot. The rockets were then fired simultaneously by the pilots on the instruction "Fire!" by the leader. Subsequently, the rocket controller made an immediate assessment of the accuracy of the hits and then informed the pilots by radio.
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Gallery L-410UVP no. 810731
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Editorial
FIREWORKS OVER BUDAPEST
THEY FOUGHT TO REBUILD
Air War over Ukraine
Máňa
With the National Guard in China
Do zteče!
Markings for L-410UVP Turbolet 1/72
Markings for THEY FOUGHT TO REBUILD 1/48
Markings for P-51B/C with dorsal fin 1/48
Markings for L-39ZA Albatros 1/72
Tail End Charlie