B-17s
Late in World War II, RAF and USAAF bombers
that had been damaged in raids over the Reich would put down in
Soviet-controlled territory rather than try to make it back to Western bases,
and in April 1945 the Soviet Air Force issued a directive to its units in the
field to report the location of any aircraft of its Western Allies that were in
Soviet hands; among the aircraft salvaged were a total of 73 B-17s. The
Fortresses that were in the best condition were returned to the USAAF, but a
number were retained as interim heavy bombers. Although Russian aircrews and
maintenance crews had no experience with such aircraft, the Soviets proved
ingenious at keeping them flying, and in fact were delighted with the B-17's
handling, comparing it to a "swallow" and the nimble Po-2 biplane
trainer. On the other hand, Soviet officials tended to order the "filthy
pictures" applied to the aircraft removed or painted out. The B-17s
remained in service until 1948, when the Tupolev Tu-4 began to arrive at
operational squadrons
B-24
Only one B-24 was officially delivered to
the USSR according to the Lend-Lease agreements, stranded in Yakutsk while
flying a government mission to the Soviet Union in November 1942. In addition,
73 Liberators of various models that had force-landed in Europe airfields were
recovered and 30 of them were repaired and used by the 45th BAD.
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