The Lost Corsair

BACKGROUND
During the summer of 1944, the Royal Navy repeatedly operated against German targets in Norway, including the battleship Tirpitz. Among the aircraft operating from HMS Formidable were the Corsair IIs of No. 1841 Naval Air Squadron. One of these aircraft was Corsair II JT404. On 18 July 1944, JT404 was forced down in German-occupied Norway. The aircraft survived sufficiently intact to fall into German hands, giving German personnel the opportunity to examine one of the Royal Navy's powerful American-built carrier fighters. This is where documented history ends and our scenario begins. There is no reliable evidence that JT404 subsequently flew an operational combat mission for Germany. But the Germans had the aircraft. What if they managed to get it flying? And what if, during one simple check flight, something went terribly wrong?

DIVERGENCE
German technicians have spent weeks examining and repairing JT404. The aircraft is finally considered airworthy. The Corsair has not received a complete factory-quality repaint. Much of its original Fleet Air Arm finish remains beneath a hurried German field repaint. German colors and national markings have been applied over the British finish, while the underside has been painted a light blue to aid recognition by German fighters and coastal anti-aircraft batteries. Traces of the Corsair's former identity remain visible beneath its new markings. JT404 is not being placed into German combat service. The aircraft is simply too valuable. Instead, a local check and evaluation flight is authorized over the waters immediately offshore from German-controlled
Norway. Three serviceable Fw 190As accompany the captured fighter. Their pilots have been selected for their experience rather than because they possess the Luftwaffe's newest aircraft. Their assignment is simple: Observe the Corsair, compare its performance, keep it close to the Norwegian coast, and bring it home. Nobody expects combat!