HI
having just got some more AMT A-20's cheap [2 in one box for 10GBP] I was searching about, and ran across this pic here and was struck by the great nose art. Not seen this before, so thought worth a post.
http://waralbum.ru/126454/Экипаж А-20В ?Бостон? 3-й эскадрильи советского 8-го гвардейского бомбардировочного авиаполка 221-й бомбардировочной авиадивизии
I'm quite impressed at google translate
Bomber American production of A-20B "Boston" 3rd Squadron of the 8th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment, 221st Bomber Division of the 16th Air Army of the 1st Belorussian Front and its crew:
- Navigator - Guard Lieutenant Alexei Shalyutin;
- Pilot - Guard Lieutenant Alexander M. knots;
- Gunner - Guards Sergeant Ivan I. Mikhaylov;
- Arrows - Guard Sergeant Ilya Arsentievich Parrots.
Orel-Kursk. Airfield "Zadonsk."
December 15, 1943 this crew perform military intelligence to the task set of artillery and tanks in Garmovichi, Korotkovichi and farm them. 11 kostrichnikov. At 9:30 in the Korotkovichi was met and attacked the 6th enemy fighters like the Me-109. In unequal air combat aircraft received eight rounds of through holes and over 200 high-explosive bullet. One shell was brought to the navigator to their base. Fighters fired six attacks, wrecking the wheel height and depth (?) Completely broken right tank, the right tire wheel chassis and broken left screw. The car was uncontrollable and the height 4000 m was a mess-up to the height of 800 m, but only thanks to the courage and bravery of a knot on a height of 800 meters the car derived from the peak. The instrument panel has refused to work. The aircraft was uncontrollable and bitch knowing that his gunner wounded, stubbornly kept the plane on the airfield. Not wanting to leave the plane and air gunner, 160 km regardless of the difficulties was driving without a pointer speed. Steering wheel not working depth (R) and height. Safely brought the aircraft to the airfield and landed. Thereby saved the lives of the crew and vehicle.
Shalyutin navigator, regardless of the difficulties, all the way to give the pilot route to their base. The job was done, information about the enemy and the weather along the route given to the staff completely.
In aerial combat arrows Mikhailov and parrots shot down one enemy plane. In this Parrots got heavy hands shrapnel wound, and Mikhailov - shrapnel wound to his feet, but continued to fight.
(Description of the award sheets bomber crew of 16 December 1943)
At this point, the crew made Suchkova 63 sorties, 12 of them for exploration. During this flight Guard lieutenant Suchkov awarded Order of Patriotic War 1st degree, Guard lieutenant Shalyutin - Order of the Patriotic War 1st degree Guard sergeant Mikhailov medal "For Military Merit", Guard sergeant Parrots medal "For Courage".
Thank User Spiat for valuable additions to the description of the photo.
oh for a side photo of this!
hope of interest.
T