Found this just a moment ago. There is even a glimpse of the young lady in my avatar, Natalya Myeklin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNVuNAh4pu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNVuNAh4pu8
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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Night Witches
- Thread starter aeronca1
- Start date
WarHorse47
SOH-CM-2024
Fascinating story.
We saw the Po-2 in Paul Allen's collection in Everett, and picked up the book on the "Night Witches."
May want to add this to your collection..
FS2004 (ACOF) - FS2004 Early Aircraft FS2004 Polikarpov Po-2
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Name: polikpo2.zip Size: 24,938,924 Date: 03-29-2009 Downloads: 1,242
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FS2004 Polikarpov Po-2 in four variants and different paints. VC only, no 2D panel. By Ralf Kreibich.
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We saw the Po-2 in Paul Allen's collection in Everett, and picked up the book on the "Night Witches."
May want to add this to your collection..
FS2004 (ACOF) - FS2004 Early Aircraft FS2004 Polikarpov Po-2
[SIZE=-1][ Download | View ] [/SIZE]
Name: polikpo2.zip Size: 24,938,924 Date: 03-29-2009 Downloads: 1,242
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I read an account on line of the Night Witches that stated that many times they would gain altitude, and as they got near the German lines would shut off their engines and glide in for the bombing runs so that they had total surprise. Once they had released their bombs, they would restart their engines, go to full throttle and make a hasty retreat. Very very effective technique and very very brave and skilled pilots.
OBIO
OBIO
OBIO, they used to fly in pairs, using tight turns to avoid 109's and 190's as the Po-2's top speed was lower than the stall speed of the German a/c. The Germans caught on to this and established flak areas and searchlights around suspected targets. They tore apart the Po-2's.
The Night Witches then developed a tactic whereby they flew as a trio. Two going in, attracting attention from the searchlights then veering to the left and the right. The third a/c then flew down the middle so to speak and dropped their bombs. They would repeat this maneuver twice more thus all being exposed to the hail of fire 3 times each per mission. Very brave young ladies indeed.
EDIT (Further thought): Bed Check Charlie (I think that was his name) in Korea was an even more difficult target. Imagine a jet instead of 109's or 190's
The Night Witches then developed a tactic whereby they flew as a trio. Two going in, attracting attention from the searchlights then veering to the left and the right. The third a/c then flew down the middle so to speak and dropped their bombs. They would repeat this maneuver twice more thus all being exposed to the hail of fire 3 times each per mission. Very brave young ladies indeed.
EDIT (Further thought): Bed Check Charlie (I think that was his name) in Korea was an even more difficult target. Imagine a jet instead of 109's or 190's