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PZL.37 Los Evaluated by the Soviet Union

After the Soviet invasion of Poland in September 1939, the Soviet Union captured several PZL.37 Łoś bombers. These aircraft were subjected to evaluation by the Soviet Air Force’s Research Institute (NII VVS). The exact number of Łoś bombers tested by the Soviet Union is not definitively documented, but at least two aircraft were captured.

The Soviet evaluation of the PZL.37 Łoś commenced on 13 October 1939. By that time, the aircraft had accumulated 97.8 flight hours, completed 519 landings, and its Bristol Pegasus XII engines had been operated for 134 hours. Due to the aircraft’s extensive use, it was considered to be in a state of significant wear, and mechanical issues, particularly with the engine group, were frequently encountered. To enhance crew safety, the take-off weight was reduced to 6,516 kg from the normal 8,570 kg.

The Soviet evaluation of the PZL.37 Łoś concluded in December 1939. Following this assessment, the aircraft was reportedly stored, and probably scrapped soon after.

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CANT Z.511 Italian Seaplane

The CANT Z.511, was a large, four-engine Italian seaplane developed during the late 1930s. Designed by Filippo Zappata of Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico (CRDA), the Z.511 was conceived as a long-range transport aircraft capable of transatlantic flights between Europe and South America. However, with the onset of World War II, its role shifted to potential military applications, including reconnaissance and special operations.

Initially, the aircraft was to be powered by Alfa Romeo 135 engines; however, due to delays in their development, CRDA sought permission to acquire Wright R-2600 engines from the United States. These negotiations were unsuccessful, leading to the selection of Piaggio P.XII RC.35 engines, each producing 1,500 horsepower. Despite their power, these engines were considered underpowered for the aircraft's size, resulting in a maximum take-off weight of 34,200 kg and a range of approximately 4,350 km.

Only two prototypes of the Z.511 were constructed. The first, designated MM.396, made its maiden flight on October 19, 1940. Initial tests revealed issues with the aircraft's controls, which were addressed over the following months. By February 1942, official trials commenced, and the aircraft demonstrated the ability to take off and land in rough seas.

In late 1942, the prototype was transferred to Vigna di Valle for further evaluations. On September 1, 1943, two days before the Italian Armistice, the aircraft conducted its final test flight. Following the armistice, the aircraft was sabotaged by ground crew to prevent capture, resulting in it sinking in Lake Bracciano. The second prototype, still under construction, was 82% complete when work ceased, and it was subsequently scrapped.

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Kawanishi E15K Japanese Floatplane

The Kawanishi E15K Shiun, Allied reporting name “Norm”, was a Japanese single-engine reconnaissance floatplane developed during World War II. Designed by the Kawanishi Aircraft Company, it aimed to fulfill a 1939 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) requirement for a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft capable of operating in areas dominated by enemy fighters.

The E15K Shiun was conceived to meet the 14-Shi specification, which outlined the need for a two-seat reconnaissance floatplane with sufficient performance to escape interception by land-based fighters and a range of 800 nautical miles. Kawanishi’s design featured a low-wing monoplane configuration with a single central float and two stabilizing floats under the wings. Notably, it incorporated Japan’s first use of contra-rotating propellers, driven by a Mitsubishi MK4D Kasei 14 14-cylinder radial engine. The aircraft also introduced a retractable wingtip float system, intended to be jettisoned during combat to increase speed.

The first prototype, designated E15K1, made its maiden flight on December 5, 1941. Subsequent prototypes were developed, leading to limited production in 1943. However, the aircraft faced several technical challenges, including issues with the retractable float mechanism and engine reliability. To address these, the design was modified to include fixed stabilizing floats and a more powerful Mitsubishi MK4S Kasei 24 engine.

A total of 15 E15K1 aircraft were built, comprising six prototypes and nine production models. The first operational units were assigned to the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron of the 61st Air Flotilla in April 1944. These aircraft were deployed to Palau Island in June 1944. Despite their advanced design, the E15K1s proved vulnerable in combat. The jettisonable float mechanism often malfunctioned, and the aircraft’s performance was insufficient against newer Allied fighters. On June 15, 1944, two E15K1s were shot down by Grumman F6F Hellcats while conducting reconnaissance over the Bonin Islands. Additional losses occurred during anti-submarine patrols, leading to the disbandment of the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron on August 12, 1944.

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The French heavy cruiser Duquesne was the lead ship of her class class. Following her commissioning, Duquesne served primarily in the Mediterranean, participating in various training exercises and goodwill missions. In January 1940, she was involved in the search for the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. After the British executed Operation Catapult in June 1940, Duquesne was disarmed and interned in Alexandria, Egypt, along with other French warships. In June 1943 she re-joined the Allied cause and was rearmed. She was incorporated into the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL) on 24 June 1943. After the war, Duquesne participated in the re-establishment of French rule in Indo-China. This continued until April 1947.

Following her return to France, Duquesne was repurposed as an amphibious forces depot ship in Arzew, Algeria, from late 1948. She remained in this capacity until she was stricken from the naval register on 2 July 1955 and subsequently sold for scrap.

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Fairey Firefly Mk. 1, RCN, on board HMCS Warrior

The Fairey Firefly was operated in the post-World War II by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), serving from 1946 until its retirement in 1953. The Fairey Firefly was a British-designed, carrier-based aircraft developed during World War II to meet the Royal Navy’s need for a versatile reconnaissance and strike platform. Following the war, Canada sought to establish a capable naval aviation component. In 1946, the RCN acquired 64 Fireflies, which were based at CFB Shearwater in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. These aircraft were operated from the RCN’s aircraft carriers, HMCS Warrior and HMCS Magnificent.

The Firefly served in various roles, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), reconnaissance, and strike missions. The primary squadrons operating the Firefly were:

No. 825 Squadron RCN: Operated the Firefly from 1945 until 1951, after which it was renumbered to 880 Squadron RCN.

No. 826 Squadron RCN: Operated the Firefly from 1946 to 1950, also transitioning to 880 Squadron RCN in 1951.

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Naval Aircraft Factory SBN

The Naval Aircraft Factory SBN was a United States three-seat mid-wing monoplane scout bomber/torpedo aircraft. Designed by Brewster, as the Brewster XSBA-1 the company did not have capacity to manufacture the aircraft. It was therefore built under licence by the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. as the SBN. One XSBA and 30 SBNs were built

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RAAF Static Display Sale

RAAF Static Display Sale Victoria Located near the entrance to RAAF Base East Sale, a public static aircraft display showcases historic RAAF training aircraft: Pilatus PC-9/A trainer Aermacchi MB-326H CAC Winjeel trainer The first two are jet powered trainers, with both in the colours of the RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team. The third, a Winjeel was an Australian designed and build…

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Sale Highway Mural

Sale Highway Mural Located on Swing Bridge Road where the South Gippsland Highway passes overhead, the Sale Highway Mural features local Australian native wildlife. If you are going to see the swing bridge, this is on your way. Not long after turning off the highway, you pass under it. The highway supports have been decorated with these wonderful murals. A quick, easy stop and something to add…

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The Naval Aircraft Factory TDN was an early unmanned combat aerial vehicle – referred to at the time as an “assault drone” – developed by the United States Navy’s Naval Aircraft Factory during the Second World War. Developed and tested during 1942 and 1943, the design proved moderately successful, but development of improved drones saw the TDN-1 relegated to second-line duties, and none were used in operational service.

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Sale Swing Bridge

Constructed between 1880 and 1883 the Sale Swing Bridge is located in Longford, Victoria, Australia (or 5km south of Sale). Not only does it hold the distinction of being the first movable bridge built in Victoria but is the oldest surviving swing bridge in Australia. Design and Construction of the Sale Swing Bridge Designed by the Australian architect and civil engineer John Grainger, the…

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North American Aviation A-27

The North American Aviation A-27 is an attack version of the North American T-6 Texan. Ten aircraft were ordered by Thailand as NA-69 light attack aircraft.

Instead of being delivered to Thailand, the aircraft were taken over in October 1940 by the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) to keep them out of Japanese hands and redesignated A-27 under the USAAC aircraft designation system. Assigned to Nichols Field in the Philippines and used as a trainer, all A-27s were destroyed within a month during the Japanese invasion of that country during World War II.

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Sale Powder Magazine

Sale Powder Magazine Built by the Victorian Government in 1864, the Sale Powder Magazine was used for the safe storage of gunpowder most of which was used in Gippsland’s quartz gold mining industry. The building is the only magazine of its type remaining in Gippsland. The Sale Powder Magazine has massive walls and buttresses and barrel vaulting in the ceiling. To reduce the chance of an…

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HSwMS Tre Kronor

The lead ship of her class, HSwMS Tre Kronor was a Swedish cruiser. The ship was launched in 1944 and served until 1964. Built during World War Two to provide the Swedish Navy with more modern ships, Tre Kronor utilised turrets originally destined for the Dutch Navy’s two “De Zeven Provinciën-class cruisers”.

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North American B-45 Tornado

The North American B-45 Tornado was a four engined jet bomber of the United States Air Force. Its first flight was in 1947 and it entered squadron service in April 1948. The B-45 operated during the Korean War as both a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The Royal Air Force also operated a number of the RB-45C variant to overfly the Soviet Union.

A total of 143 were built, the last being withdrawn from service in 1959.

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Bairnsdale Street Art

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Aermacchi MB 326 A7-081 in the markings of the RAAF aerobatics team the Roulettes. RAAF Base East Sale

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CAC Winjeel

CAC Winjeel A85-405 at RAAF Base East Sale Victoria Australia

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