This plane is designed to represent the myriad*
models of planes the Republicans were able to buy*
from various sources. The picture is of the*
Koolhoven FK.51.*
*
The name "Circo Krone" was applied to a squadron*
of these planes that operated in the northern front*
region. This Circo Krone representation simulates*
that particular squadron, and also all the other models*
of planes that the Republicans threw into the fray*
all through Spain.*
*
There were over 70 different models used during the*
war that are not represented in the game. They were*
often WWI vintage, and many times only a single*
speciman of the plane was used. This "Circo Krone"*
unit can be used to simulate all of these planes.*
*
The actual composition of the Circo Krone Squadron*
was several CASA/Breguet XIX and a Hispano-Nieuport*
52 detached by the Red Wings flight of Sarinena;*
two Monospart ST-4, two Miles (Falcon and Hawk);*
a few Caudron, a DH Dragon Rapide, three Fokker*
VIIB, a Farman 231 and a Vickers Vildebeest, as*
well as eight Potez 25, eight Gourdou-Leseurre*
GL-32, eleven Bristol-Bulldog II and seven Letov*
S-231 fighters purchased from Estonia.*
*
At the end of September 1936 four Savoia S-62*
floatplanes arrived at Santander. There also arrived*
at the port of Bilbao, early in 1937, two Koolhoven*
FK-51, and another eight FK-51's flew from Catalonia.*
A Beech 17 and two Lockheed (Vega and Orion) also*
arrived in the north.*
*
Even more diverse models were part of the Circo Krone*
at one time or another. Planes were attached to the*
squadron as they became available from any of many*
sources. Planes such as the civilian M.3 A Falcon*
Major, the racer M.3 A Falcon Six and the trainer*
Hispano-Suiza E-30 were pressed into service as*
fighters, bombers and recon aircraft.*
*
Some of the more numerous models of the Circo Krone*
have their own representation in this OOB because they*
were also available in other squadrons.*
*
The original "Circo Krone" was, and still is, a*
famous circus that tours Europe.*