 Luftwoller wrote: |
Right homework, kids. As well as the usuall (If youve not already posted it) picture of the beast your building, preferably in colour. I want a short description of the greatest ace in your chosen plane. Come on, chop chop. 1st to post pics the new homework. ...Guy |
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Hopefully this is not late! ![Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]](/emoticons/icon_smile_swg.gif)
From what I have been able to discern, Constantino Petrosellini was the greatest ace in the Macchi MC.200.
Costantino Petrosellini was born on April 17, 1921 in Rome, Italy . His family is descendents from an ancient Roman family with a proud history in the Italian military and the arts. After graduating from high school in 1938 he joined the Regia Aerinautica. As a student officer at the pilot academy of Nisidia ( Naples ) he earned his wings in the spring of 1940 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 63rd Gruppo, 41st Squadriglia at Udine Air Base in Northern Italy flying a Ro.37 reconnaissance aircraft. Here he got combat experience by flying numerous recon and strafing missions over Yugoslavia.
In July 1941 he began training as a fighter pilot in the Macchi Mc.200 and was assigned to the 8th Gruppo, 92nd Squadriglia. His unit was deployed to North Africa, taking part in the battle of El Alamein . Petrosellini’s first aerial victory was an RAF Martin Maryland shot down near Tobruk. His second was during a ground attack against English transport vehicles. His flight was bounced by RAF P-40 Kittyhawks. Petrosellini was able to outmaneuver one of the heavy P-40’s and shot it down, however his flight lost two aircraft.
In December 1942 the battered 8th Gruppo was transferred back to Italy and assigned to Sarzana Air Base. Here their responsibility was to provide air defense for the Italian Naval Base at La Spezia. This area was a prime target for the Allies due to the large amount of Axis shipping. On June 21, 1943, while flying an air defense patrol, Petrosellini was ordered south to Livorno. English aircraft were attacking an Italian tanker. Upon arriving at the ship Petrosellini spotted two R.A.F. Beaufighter’ s very low on the water trying to escape after their attack.
As Petrosellini dove on the Beaufighter’s they split, one right and one left. Petrosellini chose one and got as close as possible before firing. His bullets were accurate as the enemy aircraft exploded in front of him. Within a second Petrosellini found himself with his open cockpit fighter flying through the flames and wreckage of the enemy aircraft. Fortunately no damage occurred to Petrosellini’s fighter. The other Beaufighter had made a 360 degree turn and was bearing down on Petrosellini with cannons blazing. Both aircraft maneuvered wildly until the pilots turned in opposite directions and returned to base. “In Petrosellini’s own words “He simply disappeared!”
Little did he know that his fourth victory would change an enemy into a life long friend. On July 28th 1943 near Pisa he intercepted a RAF Martin Baltimore bomber. Petrosellini commented, “A very good pilot flew this aircraft, he maneuvered the bomber expertly and with precision”. After a long and exhausting fight Petrosellini was able to gain enough hits to bring down the Baltimore in the sea near Livorno. The crew was captured and taken to Pisa Air Base. Here Petrosellini was able to meet the pilot, whose name was “Bax”. Petrosellini was able to praise the Englishman on his flying.
His fifth and final victory was on September 3rd 1943 while on patrol over La Spezia. His air base warned Petrosellini that a flight of enemy bombers were incoming. He turned to the heading given but saw no bombers. His radio blasted, “You are amongst them!” Nothing above so Petrosellini rolled his Mc.200 on its back and directly beneath him flew 24 B-17s! Petrosellini dove and singled out a bomber firing as he approached. He passed between two B-17’s in formation that were less than 50’ apart. His attack was a complete surprise! The B-17 that bore the initial brunt of his attack was smoking. Petrosellini pulled out of his dive and came back for a second pass. As he concentrated his fire on the wounded B-17, the bomber group was ready for him.
The American gunners unleashed a massive volley of .50 caliber fire. Petrosellini’s fighter took numerous hits in the fuselage, wings and cockpit. Miraculously Petrosellini was not hit as his world seemed to explode around him. Petrosellini saw four parachutes from the stricken B-17, which was in its fatal dive. Petrosellini dove away from the bombers for an emergency landing at Sarzana Air Base.
With his landing gear damaged, Petrosellini was able to gravity drop his gear. His flaps for landing did not operate with their controls shot out. He came in fast but was able to stop the Macchi while blowing both tires! There was thick smoke in the cockpit and so much damage Petrosellini assumed that he was on fire! He immediately jumped out of the cockpit and tore off his flight suit.
As emergency vehicles arrived with his squadron mates they started laughing at him as saw him jumping around. He stood in his underwear as they pulled up. Petrosellini also laughed once he realized he was not injured. Petrosellini was amazed that he flew through a hornet’s nest of fifty caliber missiles and lived! His MC.200 was riddled with American bullet holes. The B-17 came down in the water in front of Marina di Massa blowing out windows along the marina.
After the truce of September 1943 Petrosellini sided with the Allies and joined the Aeronautica Co-Belligerante. 8 Gruppo was relocated to Lecce Air Base in Southern Italy . He was made Commander of 94 squadron in the spring of 1944. He flew the Mc.200 until June 1944 when his squadron received Macchi Mc.202 fighters. His personal Mc.202 was marked “94-1”. His unit flew mainly ground attack and bomber escort missions across the Adriatic into Yugoslavia and Albania. November 1944 he led eight Mc.202s to attack Berat airfield in Albania destroying 28 Junkers Ju52 transports parked there.
Petrosellini ended the war with five air victories. He was awarded 3 silver medals for military gallantry, the war cross, and a promotion for war gallantry.