Piaggio P.120

[comrade harps]

Piaggio P.120
378 Squadriglia, Regio Aeronautica
Hvardiiske, Crimea, summer 1942



Developed to meet a 1937 requirement for a long-range fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, the Piaggio P.210 went on to be one of the best reconnaissance planes of WW2.

The aircraft seen here has been fitted with a removable air sampling device, associated with the Axis hunt for the Red's atomic weapons program. Acting on what turned out to be misinformation, the reconnaissance aircraft of Luftflotte 4 undertook an extensive photographic and air sampling campaign from July 1942 to January 1943 in an attempt to determine the extent and progress of the Red atom program. Believing that there were atomic piles, processing facilities and test sites East of the Urals, Luftflotte 4 included the subordinate Italian strategic reconnaissance unit 378 Squadriglia in its search. Although 378 378 Squadriglia's Piaggio P.120s had long range, some missions conducted deep into the Red's Asian republics required the use of a ventral slipper fuel tank.





Unable to find any evidence of Red atomic research, Hitler ordered a stop to the search in January, 1943, declaring that "the Bolshevik Jews are too backwards" to produce such a weapon. Believing the Reds were not in the race for atomic supremacy, Hitler reduced his support for Germany's atomic program. Ironically, the Reds began their atomic weapons program just as the Germans stopped looking for it. Laboratory No. 2 of the S.U. Academy of Sciences was founded in March 1943 to develop atomic weapons technology and was located, not as expected in the Red Central Asian or Far Eastern republics, but near Moscow. Thus the reason for the misinformation had been achieved.

[dumaniac]

interesting camo

[Dizzyfugu]

Cool idea, and the paint scheme (looks very Australian?) and markings suit the sleek bird well! 

In fact, the Ki-46 has some serious whiffing potential. I also have one in my stash, which I plan to convert into a license-built German aircraft with water cooled DB engines as a fast reconnaissance aircraft.

[zenrat]

I like it.  Nice camo.

[NARSES2]

That looks right - love the camo 

[lancer]

That looks fantastic. Great build and superb cammo scheme..

I agree with Dizzy as well in that the KI46 has great wiffing potential.

[Captain Canada]

Very nice ! Definitely has a cool colour and camo scheme !



Really changes the look of her. Looks Italian for sure.

[comrade harps]

I agree with Dizzy as well in that the KI46 has great wiffing potential.

I agree. I do have another Airfix Dinah in the stash. Possible Romanian and equipped as bomber interceptor to defend Ploiești circa 1943. 30 or 37mm cannon in a fairing under the fuselage.

The camo on this is "interesting" isn't it?

Thanks again for your appreciation.

[rickshaw]

It's a nice model and a great backstory.  Looks lovely.   

[aston]

Doesn't look not Italian. Very nice colours ..... Farrow and Ball ....

[Tophe]

Surprising!