The Warhawk helps Israel to take a giant step...

[Spinners 15,986]

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk - No.101 Squadron, Israeli Air Force, 1948

 

Following the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14th, 1948 David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of a Jewish state to be known as the State of Israel. Within two weeks the Israeli Air Force was formed mainly using foreign volunteer pilots (including many World War II veterans) flying a variety of obsolete and war surplus aircraft sourced by various means. Among these were 30 P-40N Warhawk fighter aircraft delivered in crates from the United States and alongside the Avia S-199's and Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IX's they formed the backbone of the early Israeli Air Force. 

 

Whilst the Warhawks were not ready to help in attempting to halt the Egyptian advance from the South during early June 1948 they were soon in operation in the close support role and also bolstered the air defences around Tel Aviv and were successful in shooting down several Egyptian Air Force DC-3's and Spitfires. The Warhawks were also tasked with escorting the handful of Israeli B-17 bombers but were mainly committed to the support of IDF ground forces. By December 1948 IDF ground forces were ready to commence Operation Assaf to take control of the Western Negev and the Warhawks helped in stopping an Egyptian counterattack and helped prevent another counterattack when a Warhawk flying an aerial reconnaissance sortie revealed Egyptian preparations and the IDF was able to launch a pre-emptive strike. 

 

Following the ceasefire the remaining Warhawks were gathered together to re-equip No.101 who operated the type until the end of 1956 playing a minor role in Operation Kadesh by escorting Israeli Air Force DC-3s dropping Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I've loved doing this one!)

[+Coupi 4,388]

Hello,

 

It looks very good!

 

Best regards,

 

Coupi.

[Spinners 15,986]

Merci et regards Coupi.

[Wrench 9,849]

looks great in the natural metal!

[+Stary 2,427]

+1

 

awesome skin and "feel" to it

[+daddyairplanes 10,244]

Nice!

[Stratos 3,192]

Pretty cool skin Spinners! Well done!!

[Spinners 15,986]

+1

 

awesome skin and "feel" to it

Thanks Stary. To be fair, it's Raven's P-40N (from the SF1 section and c/w a NMF skin) with a recoloured spinner and my IDF decals with stock Mustang codes.

[+Stary 2,427]

my current WW2 install seen zero playing time past few moons so I have yet to check some newer mods

[Spinners 15,986]

my current WW2 install seen zero playing time past few moons so I have yet to check some newer mods

WW2 is the undiscovered country! I must admit to watching the forthcoming IL2 Battle for Stalingrad development videos...

[Spinners 15,986]

[+Geary 1,889]

Glad you released this one.  It's a new classic.

[dsawan 624]

agreed