Greek Spad VII

ditigi · 9 August 2009, 09:27 AM

http://helaf.files.wordpress.com/200...-24-bis-03.jpg

Any more suggestions-corrections? Any photo available? thanks

DTB · 9 August 2009, 10:43 AM

Hello Ditigi,

The Nieuport should be something like that, but the red "5" should be in italique. You have a photo of the plane in the HAF history book in 5 volumes, greek edition. The book is on display in the army museum in Athens. I don't have a copy of the photo but took notes of it...

Regards,
DTB

ditigi · 9 August 2009, 12:53 PM

What about this one? http://helaf.files.wordpress.com/200...t-24-bis-3.jpg

Take a look there too: Imageshack - t62adsc00135sea5.jpg

DTB · 9 August 2009, 11:20 PM

The famous Zannas photo ! Excellent !

Well, it seems that the "5" is no so in italique that I have expected. And also, the blue from the greek cockades was like the english blue (bleu foncé) : an official note ordered to paint the cockades in bleu foncé, saying that the risk of confusion with the british planes was not a problem.

Regards,
DTB

ditigi · 9 August 2009, 11:42 PM

Ypu're right about the British Blue, but it seems that for a period of time they used the French Blue. What toubles me now is the place of the roundels: up side and down side of the upper wing and down side of the lower wing?

My friends take a look there for a Nieuport 24: 1/48 ÊáôáóêåõÞ Åëëçíéêïý Nieuport 24

Angiolillo · 30 August 2009, 02:06 PM

Interesting Nieuport, thanks a lot! las I can not read a word of Greek...

Can you please suggest a unit and a pilot for it. I can not even find infos searching for the serial number.

Thanks a lot again and all the best!

Andrea

ditigi · 31 August 2009, 10:56 PM

tHe N4322 belonged to 531 FRENCH-GREEK SQ

Cruz Verras · 1 September 2009, 07:58 AM

Hi again

Looks like this thread has taken a Nieuport turn

I've always been cautious about Ni 4322 and its identity.The first source to identify it as 4322 was the IPMS publication back in the early '90s. The serial has always been blury, even on clearer pics (in the war museum archives).
But it seems that long established miscaptions refuse to die.

DTB has pointed that out on this very thread regarding Ni 4613 TP. It never belonged on 531sq. strength. It was regarded as such ( and maybe still is ) even in official sources for the last 20 years

The Societe Nieuport does not mention 4322, and DTBs official french records do not show that a Nieuport with such a serial was ever handed over to a greek squadron.
The pilot, according to a larger pic with a caption on top, claims to be fighter pilot Klearhos Mamalakis, famous later in asia minor.

This indeed is a colourful aircraft, tempting for many pilots just to have their picture taken in front of it. By the way, that cocade under the top wing looks mighty suspicious.

Cheers, Cruz.