The Crystal Ball

[bongodriver]

i could call it Rata too, but for some reason its uncofrtable since its a slang in my language for the true objective of every men's life.

Rata means beer?

[JG53Frankyboy]

well, the pilots who flew it, never called it Rata - only its enemy pilots called them so.........

[FAE_Cazador]

The nick "Rata" (rat) was given by the Franco's Nacionalist and Legion Condor German pilots to the newly received I-16 that were destinated by Republican Air Force to Madrid Front. At that time Madrid was heavily pounded by Franco's and Legion Condor bombers, without almost opposition. Then they started to see the I-16 taking off hurrily to intercept bombers formations from airfields around Madrid and then flying low over Madrid's roofs trying to climb to get them. Hence the nick "Rat", as rats could be seen running on the roofs of old houses of that age.

"Rata" is also a Spanish despective name. I guess, it was also applied when "Ratas" gained air superiority in the following weeks over Franco's He-51 and CR-32 and bombers started to be shot down.

The nick "Mosca" (fly) was given by republican pilots and republican gouvernement propaganda as the wooden boxes containing the disassembled planes received by ship from URSS had the word "Mockba" (Moscow) in cyrillic stenciled on the sides, as another poster said. Hence the spanish common started to call her "Mosca".

Two nicknames for same plane.

[Ailantd]

Originally Posted by FAE_Cazador

The nick "Rata" (rat) was given by the Franco's Nacionalist and Legion Condor German pilots to the newly received I-16 that were destinated by Republican Air Force to Madrid Front. At that time Madrid was heavily pounded by Franco's and Legion Condor bombers, without almost opposition. Then they started to see the I-16 taking off hurrily to intercept bombers formations from airfields around Madrid and then flying low over Madrid's roofs trying to climb to get them. Hence the nick "Rat", as rats could be seen running on the roofs of old houses of that age.

"Rata" is also a Spanish despective name. I guess, it was also applied when "Ratas" gained air superiority in the following weeks over Franco's He-51 and CR-32 and bombers started to be shot down.

The nick "Mosca" (fly) was given by republican pilots and republican gouvernement propaganda as the wooden boxes containing the disassembled planes received by ship from URSS had the word "Mockba" (Moscow) in cyrillic stenciled on the sides, as another poster said. Hence the spanish common started to call her "Mosca".

Two nicknames for same plane.

I didn´t knew that. Great explanation. Thanks.
Esto no lo sabía. Una explicación estupenda, gracias.

[swiss]

Wiki says the Spanish nationalists called it Rata.

edit: too slow.

[ElAurens]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

Rata means beer?

A worthy pursuit IMHO, and over all, far less costly in the long run.


I've always enjoyed flying the I-16 in IL2. And I remember waiting with great anticipation for the patch that made it flyable.

[pencon]

It's one my favorite crap planes along with the MC200 (which i also have an RC model of )

[Robert]

Originally Posted by pencon

It's one my favorite crap planes along with the MC200 (which i also have an RC model of )

Pictures? You don't see too many R/C craft of the MC200. Did you scratch ot kit build? I love looking at R/C models. I used to fly back in the 70s. Life interfered.....sadly.





Sorry for the hijack!

[pencon]

Originally Posted by Robert

Pictures? You don't see too many R/C craft of the MC200. Did you scratch ot kit build? I love looking at R/C models. I used to fly back in the 70s. Life interfered.....sadly.





Sorry for the hijack!

Here's a picture of the kit , mines not built yet http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl...1t:429,r:9,s:0

[JG52Krupi]

So what aircraft do you want to see in the next update>

Personally I want to see the Frederick or a P-40