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Not True!

Posted by Joe Scheil on Sat Nov 08, 2003 12:13:49 AM

In reply top Re: Stuka & 'history' posted by JDK on Thu Nov 06, 2003 02:08:55 PM

Ok the Stuka has a great place in history as the initial attack aircraft on Sept 1. 1939 when Lt Bruno Dilley dropped the first bomb. But lets look at the record. The Stuka taught the Luftwaffe that unescorted slow aircraft were useless without air superiority. The Luftwaffe, having built primarily interceptor type fighters, was in a bad way, and the losses were horrendous. The Stuka acheived a vindication of sorts on the eastern front as Cannon armed variants were effective on anti tank missions before being replaced by purpose built aircraft.

What I took exception to was the notion that more would be preserved as famous aircraft. There were very few left at the end of the war in servicable condition, perhaps less than 20. Most shots of Luftwaffe aircraft after the war contain many Ju-88's, some 110's ect but 87's are nonexistent. There may have been 100 survivors TOTAL by May 45, wrecks included. Look at how the USA preserved the Hero of Midway, the SBD. Virtually none until they found them in the Lake. No Vengences, Helldivers, Vindicators, Devastators ect... No side preserved dive bombers after the war. No Skuas or Vals either. A dammed shame.

Now a Stuka would be a hot draw for historians to see fly. But who will pay 3M for one besides Paul Allen? It is a Truck. It is not a sporty plane and will not be exciting to fly by any stretch. Its neat to see one. But its not a collectible flight display aircraft that a pilot would try and build...

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