Vichy Wildcats? Whatever next!

ndicki

ndicki

Charter Member 2016
Well, if you accept the starting premise that France held out long enough for at least the first consignment of G-36s to arrive, then from there to their being used by the Vichy Air Force is not that difficult a step to take...

The stripes unfortunately cannot be painted onto the tailplanes because of a bit of a glitch, but seeing as many Vichy aircraft were decorated somewhat individualistically, it isn't a major problem. Of course, if someone could left me have the GMAX source file for the PTO or DR version...

G-36_Vichy_c.jpg


G-36_Vichy_b.jpg


G-36_Vichy_a.jpg
 
The initial order was passed with the carrier "Bearn" in mind. Having said that, it was on a mission to take gold to the US as payment for weapons, and bring aircraft back - guess which? - when France collapsed, and it was ordered to the Antilles instead. It stayed there until 1943 when the admiral in charge of the Antilles fleet, Admiral Robert, finally decided to change sides, or at least, stop pretending France was neutral... (The Antilles were staunchly pro-Vichy, in fact.) The Bearn was taken to the US for major improvement work, and appears to have made no contribution whatsoever to anything at all. As a result of a steering failure it rammed a US troop ship on 13th March 1945 while sailing for Europe, and spent yet more time being repaired...

In May-June 1940, however, its attack aircraft operated from land bases and were slaughtered.
 
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