Abandon Italian & German aircraft, Castel Benito, Tripoli

Memories of Castel Benito

Neil Leybourne Smith (Historian) writes: The pilots in 'B' Flight were the first in the Desert Air Force to land at Castel Benito in Tripolitania and they were quick to claim the best quarters at this quite modern airfield. Compared to their quarters in the desert, Castel Benito was paradise with grass, trees and a windmill-pumped flow of cold water. After they 'd settled in and other Desert Air Force Squadrons had arrived, several grass areas were marked out as football fields and inter-squadron games of Australian Rules, Rugby and Soccer were played. An Italian Caproni Ghibli had been left by the retreating enemy so it was quickly commandeered by the Squadron as an ideal people and beer carrier because of its 700 mile cruising range at 110 miles per hour with a load of twelve people (or the equivalent in beer) inside. A Caproni 164 trainer with dual controls was also secured, allowing some of the Squadron's administration officers to log up some flying hours.

Corporal Stuart Morris (Medic) writes: It was 21st January 1943 when I drove into the Castel Benito aerodrome about 10 miles east of Tripoli. The set up geographically is similar to Laverton, Melbourne. In fact our entry could have been going into Laverton with fine gates and eucalyptus trees along the approaches. Their were many abandoned Italian and German planes in the area. Our pilots had some fun there and later. One twin engined Caproni Gibley light transport plane actually became our means of ready contact with base at Cairo area and was used for bringing up canteen supplies, mail and pilots both ways, if on leave. Ian Roediger had the good luck or good management to be the regular pilot. I was personally fortunate to be with him on one 'local' flight -- in fact he allowed me my one and only (ever) 10 minutes at the controls! We took some beaut photos over the ancient roman city of Sabratha west of Tripoli.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Castel
• Benito
• airfield
• aerodrome
• Tripoli
• Tripolitania
• Lybia
• italian
• aircraft
• Caproni
• Ghibli
• 164
• Heinkel

[SmiertSpionem]

true. But I would say more outdated than bad, the CR-42 was one of the last great biplane fighters.

[solenero128]

tenetevi gheddafy mo

[spindlegrinder]

1948 WWII

[kolbpilot]

3:17. Not sure what it is ?, probably from the '20s, but quite an old bird for the time. I wonder if that was flown by the Americans or the English as well for it looks to be in good shape.

[kolbpilot]

@romanbrough That's good stuff. I'll remember that.

[romanbrough]

A hurricane pilot said of the Fiat Cr42. "A very manouverable aircraft often very well flown. but squirt it with 8 brownngs and they just fall out the air"

[oldfart387]

Bomberguy, thanks for all of these historical tidbits!

[TheBlackdago]

@solenero128 ahahhah tu sei un profeta lol

[kino57]

@solenero128

Giusto, avevate un impero ed ora siete in merda come noi , c'é poco da cantare , dovreste lamentarvi e stracciarvi le vesti.

[0Zolrender0]

@CJBnow umm wasnt your el duce killed and we invaded? and we would have invaded and won weather that ponce was on the litle hitler throne or not....

[0Zolrender0]

bing was the da man of this age. even now i love his voice

[OHBISX]

What song is this? it's a nice music!