100,000 Subscriber Special; The Elbonian Air Force

[@CecilHabermacher]

If you're interested in a Bf-109 for the fighter, might I suggest the Avia S-199 variant? A Bf-109 with the engines and propeller from an He-111. Lots of torque, narrow-track landing gear, poor engine responsiveness, *and* the parts are just different enough from the stock 109 or 111 that replacement parts are hard to come by. The infant Israeli air force managed to acquire 25 of them, but weren't able to get more than 5 flight ready at any given time.

[@dexexmachinatu4151]

It can even shoot its propeller off.

[@fooman2108]

I was thinking about the Avia...it nickname was MULE in the IAF

[@SHDW-nf2ki]

I love how War Thunder just ignored all the problems with the S-199 and gave it identical performance to the Bf-109

[@mucoursi8588]

It's too new unfortunately, they didn't start making them until 1947

[@DavidRabinowitz1977]

The S-199 immediately came to my mind as well, but the Czech were building the S-99 which were a the same as the Bf-109G at the time. Not sure about their quality though. BTW, even the Israelis didn't really wanted them, but unlike the Elbonians they had no option - nobody would sell them planes but the Czechs. They kept the S-199 for about the year and discarded them once enough (Ex-Czech) spitfires were available. Also, the nickname "Mule" came from the Czech pilots, as the plane used to "kick" them... One famous anecdote from this time of proper fighter aircraft shortage, is that the Israelis fixed a downed Egyptian Spitfire, and started to use it. as one of the panels were missing or too damaged, it was replaced with a billboard who had a cigarettes advertisement on it. The brand of the cigarettes became the nickname of that specific aircraft :-)

[@Alobo075]

Favorite comment. "But hey it's the Finns, they managed to make the Brewster Buffalo look good..."

[@johnd2058]

Based and buffalo pilled

[@brokeandtired]

The Finnish Buffs faced only early I-16/15s and other poor 2nd/3rd line fighters for most of its career. It wasn't till late '43 that it started seeing the best Russia had. Until then Russia was sending it's Apex units against the Germans. The Finns were amazing still, but context matters.

[@GoranXII]

No, the _Soviets_ made the Brewster Buffalo look good.

[@jkausti6737]

@@brokeandtired Well the Soviets didn't actually have a "best" until '43, so...

[@brokeandtired]

@@jkausti6737 July 1942 LA5, At the time of Operation Barbarossa on 22 June 1941, 425 Yak-1s had been built, P-39 airacobra entered Rus service in 1942. Their best trained pilots were mostly going to the German facing front. Though it was still mostly I-16/15,Mig 3 and Lagg-3's till 42/43. The Finns still did great, but aircraft quality still kept the Buff competitive.

[@shaider1982]

Small arms as recommended by their special advisor, Ian Mcollum🤣👍🏻

[@brokeandtired]

Ground Attacker? Hs 129 by Henchel...early models were plagued with problems. Particularly the French Engines during winter....slow too. Make it the frame damaging heavy cannon version.

[@brokeandtired]

And a terrible jet fighter would be the godawful Yak 15...top speed 500mph but used the awful ultra low engine life German early jet engines and slower accelerating than Western fighter props. Add in 90rd cannon and it's a useless and expensive to maintain deathtrap. It also climbed slower and handled worse than the props it replaced

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

_Gun Jesus._ 🤭

[@RexsHangar]

Congrats, Ed, and very well deserved! Glory to Elbonia (but not too much)

[@crocadillius6418]

Measured glory to Elbonia!

[@BumroyV2]

I think the G4M Betty would be a good pick as a medium bomber. It would add logistics issues with Japanese equipment, and the lack of armor would cremate the crew. But, with Japan's disarmament, they're available cheap, and have plenty of accolades to sell them: long range, sunk British battleships, served through the whole war, etc.

[@ronbdallas]

The Betty would also have the advantage of being a long range torpedo bomber!

[@daviswall3319]

Bam ba Lam! 😎

[@geodkyt]

*If* you can sell the He177, remember it was *also* a dive bomber, and thus could be used in multiple roles, including CAS (because "dive bomber"). At least until the wings fall off.

[@fooman2108]

Was thinking about the BARACUDA as a FIGHTER.

[@ThePsiclone]

oh no, they continued diving even after the wings came off. Indeed it improved the dive characteristics...at least until the "pull out" phase...

[@IMCDundee]

The wings never fell off, they burned through... 😁

[@Ryanhothersall]

@@IMCDundee didn't the B-29 have that problem too?.

[@IMCDundee]

@@Ryanhothersall IIRC the B29's problems were with cooling, with the He 177 it was the flawed engine layout which made it a bigger problem over all

[@andrewrobinson5837]

Congratulations! What a fantastic achievement.

[@EdNashsMilitaryMatters]

Thank you so much!

[@FredScuttle456]

@@EdNashsMilitaryMatters I dismiss the Fairey Battle, in favour of the Pixie Punchup, the Leprechaun Headbutt and the Goblin Tittytwist.

[@michaelmoorrees3585]

Even though Ian (Forgotten Weapons) brought Elbonia to KZbin, the origin of this fictitious "train wreck" of a country, goes to Scott Adams, in his Dilbert comic strip.

[@baraka629]

Call him by his true name - Gun Jesus

[@michaelmartin9022]

Also appearing in the somewhat obscure Dilbert cartoon. Which I have the VHS box set of, come to think of it. Is that now worth it's weight in gold, or is it a paperweight?

[@FirstDagger]

He 177 is the perfect pick for heavy bomber. It looks the part, has the stats of heavy bomber, you can sell it as heavy dive bomber and anti-ship plane and the engines will just ruin the entire logistic chain.

[@floycewhite6991]

Or pick the Boeing B-29 Stratofortress and bankrupt Elbonia just keeping a few flying.

[@jacksprat9172]

Vicious!

[@RichardGoth]

Arvo Manchester also -would introduce the execreble RR Vulture engine to the supply chain...

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

@@RichardGoth Now that's just downright mean, you can sell it as a twin engined Lancaster so reduced maintenance and logistics, what's not to like? Genius.

[@brucermarino]

🎉CONGRATULATIONS! As long as my Elbonian taxes don't increase with all these weapons purchases. Thanks for so much excellent research combined with great presentation!

[@theguy9208]

elbonian military is funded by conquest, alexander the great style

[@Adrian-qk2fn]

With regards to the Barracuda you said it was replaced by the US built Avenger. Actually it is more complicated than that. The Barracuda WAS replaced by the Avenger DURING World War 2. However at War's end all the Avengers- which had been supplied under Lend-Lease- had to be returned to the US so the Barracuda was returned to service in an ASW role whilst the Blackburn Firebrand took over the Torpedo Strike Fighter. role. They served for only a few years before being replaced by Avengers supplied under the Postwar US MAP. So the Barracuda ended up getting replaced by the Avenger... TWICE!

[@johnstirling6597]

If you acquired the c-82 you always have the option to modify the airframe to a troop transport , a-la the Flight of the Phoenix. No concessions to comfort for the brave Elbonian troops!

[@jeremywilliams5107]

Speaking as the translator for Marshal Pleksi-Glazsz, CINCELBAF, I wish to underline our confidence in the capabilities of Commodore Nash to build out the glorious Air Wing of our esteemed and feared armed forces. He will select triumphant, proven aircraft to fulfil to the utmost each role, particularly the impressive flypast on St Elbo's Day. Note: The specification must include the ability to land on mud.

[@ralphhathaway-coley5460]

That spec is easily fore-filled, just retrofit all aircraft with skis on arrival in Elbonia; also, it could be argued, that saves wear and tear on the landing gear retraction units, a definite plus lower maintenance costs! If landing on rough ground then that is a definite plus for the Me 109 fighters or a licence built alternative with their proven narrow track undercarriage (just negate to mention what it proved).

[@vladimirputin8707]

Congratulations, Edd! Your videos are brilliant 👏

[@salty4496]

Congratulations Ed. Onwards and upwards :)

[@johndell3642]

Congrats on getting to 100,000! Now for 200,000! Merry Christmas!

[@FinsburyPhil]

Well done Ed - much deserved.

[@olivergs9840]

I was really hoping to see the Avia S-199 being selected as the heavy fighter. Made of good bits of proven aircraft, being built new, and soon to see legendary service. Of course we don't say that it's an absolute mongrel of a fighter, being tricky to take off, uncomfortable to fly, and with more of its own propeller blades being shot off than a 1915 fighter

[@TheArmourersBench]

Congratulations mate

[@petesheppard1709]

When you mentioned Brewster, I immediately thought of the Brewster Corsair as the Elbonian fighter. You could wax eloquent about the Corsair legend, just overlook the fact that the Brewster variant (of which a fair number were actually built) was criminally (literally) bad.

[@toda304]

Congratulations Ed! Your videos are brilliant Thanks for your Great Videos

[@death13820]

Ian is smiling . Congratulations Ed.!

[@alasseon99]

Congrats! Your videos are good and you are well-spoken person, completely deserved success!

[@DaveSCameron]

Deserves the rewards YT Promised when it was created, just another lying company eh! Smh

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

​@@DaveSCameron>>> I suspect YT's purchase by Google contributed significantly...🙄

[@rejs7]

Great achievement. Would love to see you and Rex's Hanger team up on this. Elbonia needs a serious dose of French aeronautical might circa 1940.

[@fredbecker607]

Gun Jesus has the small arms covered.

[@babboon5764]

Hang about - The Swiss 3801 *was* a French fighter - just with better build quality.

[@paulmcgregor6411]

Drachinifel would need to cover the Elbonian navy selections…

[@rejs7]

@paulmcgregor6411 absolutely. I think Drach may have done one. The Lord Hard Thrasher Elbonia is next level with this.

[@tauncfester3022]

Yes! the Malaise period of Gothic armored greenhouse Obs/Bombers!

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Happy 100K Ed! I love your content sir... THANKS!!!

[@richardbennett8522]

Well Done Ed on 100k subscribers

[@Decrepit_biker]

FOR THE GLORY OF THE COUSIN LAND! GLORY TO ELBONIA!!! Also congratulations on the sub milestone. 😊

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

Glory of the Cousin Land, Oh man I' am stealin that part! Excellent!

[@crocadillius6418]

The cousin land lol

[@farfromreal]

Congrats! Much deserved and still hugely unappreciated.

[@chashouse8511]

Well done on reaching the subscriber milestone! Brilliantly hilarious video well done sir!! And all the seasons pleasantries to you and yours.

[@amandahuggandkiss2998]

You gave them the HE-177. May God have mercy on your soul.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

He 177?

[@Jfk2Mr]

​@dallesamllhals9161 yes, Greif

[@daveanderson3805]

YEAH, it's better known as the flaming coffin or the one way bomber. ​@dallesamllhals9161

[@CanalTremocos]

1:40 This is my first thought for an invincible airforce. There has to be a way to get turreted MiG-15.

[@pommunist]

Medium bomber the CASA 2.111 - the Spanish Merlin engine Heinkel He 111 that was still in service well into the late 1960s

[@babboon5764]

Absolute congratulations Ed *YOU EARNED IT* So, now to argue. Keeping the Soviets out and thereby winding them up? Tsk. Not the rules of the game. So now we have a suberb fighter option - Weaselling permitting as it first flies 30 Dec 1945. The Mig 9. A jet - It brings a whole new level of technical & logistical complexities but it has every prospect of seeming the absolute last words in the dog's danglies stakes. A whole new level of speed & altitude opens before them. Impressed? The Elbonian Politicos will give you the order of the golden commode with Oak Leaves AND give you a pass on the soon to be obvious K-wrap the rest may begin to look like rather swiftly. Just ......... Its range is that a superannuated wren with an arthritic wing with the throttle open. Plus its VNE is well under 600 knots it can exceed (once) in a decent dive. Best of all if hasn't fallen apeart diving on its target .... The moment it fires its guns, the engine routinely flames out.

[@Cartoonman154]

Congratulations. The same Elbonia in Dilbert. The number 1 exporter of Mud.

[@dapprman]

It's where Elbonia came from ;)

[@Cartoonman154]

@@dapprman Thought so.

[@lancerevell5979]

All during my 24 years in state IT, I absolutely identified with the long-suffering Dilbert. 😅

[@Cartoonman154]

@@lancerevell5979 Yeah, it's one of those shows I will watch once a year or so.

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

@@lancerevell5979 36 years local government IT here. There were Dilbert cartoons all over the shop.

[@Gamecourie]

Congratulations Ed, you deserve it.

[@treszenrv9401]

I think that moving to Swiss at the time to negotiate some armament is a pretty good idea in order to find a safe place for some gold bar or art pieces.

[@jurgmesser7723]

And of course in case a war breaks out, the swiss government would immediately stop exporting their ammunition to Elbonia!

[@mattheweagles5123]

Congratulations! How about the ME262? Looks good, fast and exciting jet technology. Just don't mention the reliability and the huge expense of replacing engines every other flight.

[@moblinmajorgeneral]

Unfortunately, Elbonia could eventually get replacement engines from the Soviets, because the Soviets used the Jumo 004 in the Yak-15 and Su-9, and the build quality was substantially better, though that probably says a lot more about Axis desperation than Soviet quality control

[@mattheweagles5123]

@moblinmajorgeneral perhaps not knowledge that the Elbonian Minister would have in 1945, but a good point.

[@LupusAries]

​@@moblinmajorgeneraleventually yes, but the early batches were pretty dreadful.... Also the gun armament on the 262 is, a bit hit and miss, literally....great on paper, lots of firepower, but very low muzzle vleocity, making it terrible to aim. Additionally you could advertize the Me-262 A-1/U4 Pulkzerstörer ss Gun-CAS Aircraft/heavy interceptor. And if you work wuth the Soviets on the engines later, you could sell them the Mig-9.....

[@Joannes808]

Don’t forget! The Czech would be more than willing to produce the Avia S-92 variant for export.

[@two-eyedRoy]

@@moblinmajorgeneral ooh 'yes but' ... MiG-9 export sales. Boon USSR:Boom Elbonia ;P

[@GARDENER42]

About bloody time too. Congratulations mate.

[@rojaunjames747]

CONGRATS ON A 100K SUBS!!!🎉🎉

[@Breznak]

Congratulations! Also I'd like sugest a jet fighter: the Me-262. Though it wasn't a bad aircraft and it was fairly modern in 1945, the engines would be a huge financial drain on the EAF. We did assemble some of them here in Czechoslovakia after the war as S-92 and there were crashes too.

[@davidjones332]

If I remember correctly the engines lasted something like 25 hours, and after a rebuild, only lasted another 10, so yes, an ideal choice for an aircraft that's always in bits when you need it!

[@MisdirectedSasha]

@@Breznak the Soviets, who never saw a western plane they wouldn't reverse engineer, tinkered with the idea of copying Me-262 for a couple years and went "nah"

[@publichearing8536]

​@@MisdirectedSashathey just took every detail from the engine and plane to make their own version with a Russian name in record time

[@Pete-tq6in]

I bought your book based on your channel and it’s an excellent read, gripping and fascinating, a rare insight into combat in a little recorded theatre and from a unique perspective.

[@anvil5356]

The Elbonian Flag has a Buffalo on it, so it's obvious that they would love a Brewster F2A Buffalo. It wasn't the greatest fighter at the start of the war and was completely outclassed by the end of it. The Finish air force were still flying them in 1948, so there would have been at least a few about.

[@juk-hw5lv]

I think the Shcherbakov Shch-2 would make a good case for an Elbonian transport aircraft. It was a glider fitted with two puny M-11 5 cylinder radials from the Po-2. Soviet pilots who were more or less tolerant of airplanes considered crap by other nations' standards considered it barely flyable

[@elsapon]

Thank YOU, congratulations! Copies of this format there's plenty, but you sir are an OG. ... and many more!!

[@olivergs9840]

I was surprised that the Il-20 wasn't in the running for a ground attack aircraft, as I feel the Seamew's armoured lookalike would be perfect for wowing the Elbonian officers, and making their pilots and ground crews utterly miserable

[@josephmurphy2633]

I doff my hat to you sir, exceedingly well done. I was both excited and amazed at the timing of your posting videos of fighter designs from small nations in Europe during world war II, such as the Belgian fighter, the Yugoslavian fighter, the Estonian fighter ect. These aircraft were exactly what I was researching and coming up short of finding. I just thought it was amazing that right when I was looking into this very niche interest you started producing excellent documention videos on the precise subject. I've watched most of your videos often two or three times, I can't express enough the appreciation for the information. Best of success for all your future writings and postings

[@adrianrutterford762]

Congratulations! Have a wonderful festive season.

[@luvr381]

Fantastic, and well deserved, Ed!! This was so good it actually made me feel evil, and bad for the notional Elbonians.

[@TristanTzara100]

The Chap from Hush-Kit (alternative aviation website) was a guest on the "We Have Ways of Making You Talk" podcast some time ago and was asked to name the best aircraft from each of the main fighting powers in The Second Work War. For Germany he chose the He.177, his argument being that it did more for the Allied war effort than any other German type!

[@nonamesplease6288]

Congratulations, Ed. Well done! I think the only thing you haven't taken into account is that Elbonia in its entirety is permanently under 3 1/2 feet of water. Elbonia definitely needs a seaplane or a flying boat. Since this is a permanent need, you should add it as a category. There were plenty of good (or bad) surplus models available at the end of WWII as you've shown. The challenge will be acquiring seaplane for the future. Now, all rise for the Elbonian national anthem, "My Golden Elbonia, Land of the Noble Waterbuffalo".

[@alan-sk7ky]

Ah you'll be wanting a batch of new build Blackburn B-20s then. I mean pre Bucc Blackburn aircraft, what's not to like eh. Perfect for the Elbonian SAR/patrol requirement.

[@nonamesplease6288]

I don't know. The Lerwick fits pretty well for the Elbonian Maritime Patrol Force. Hush Kit even dubbed it "Fat Boy Swim".

[@cwilliamrose]

Water? I thought it was waist-high mud.

[@MisterApol]

OK, my choices: Observation, BV 141; Transport, Junkers 352; Recon, Heinkel 46; Torpedo Bomber, Reggiane Re 2002, Anti Sub, Focke Wulf FW200; Ground Attack, Henschel Hs129A; Medium Bomber, Mitsubishi Ki. 21; Heavy bomber, Avro Manchester; Heavy Fighter, Messerschmitt Me.210; Fighter, Bell P59!

[@swenic]

100k is so underrated, anyways, thank you for great content!

[@EricCoop]

Congrats, Dr. Nash! I salute you!

[@jlvfr]

Congratulations! Well deserved.

[@majorbloodnok6659]

On a positive / multi-tasking note; ex-Buccaneer canopies were discovered, still in use as garden cloches, in Yorkshire in the 1980s would that help to sell them to the Elbnians?

[@orwellboy1958]

Brilliant! well done, mate. 100,000 subs is nothing to be sniffed at.

[@paulm7842]

Outside the box fighter pick - the Corsair, but specifically the Brewster built F3As that had structural defects. I also like the idea of: Ground Attack - Typhoon Interceptor - Bf-109 Fighter - A6M I conveniently forget about the Typhoon's potentially fatal exhaust leaks. I trust in late war build quality issues plus the 109's narrow landing gear to cause some accidents with the other two, plus the Zero's obsolescence and issues with sourcing spare parts. I also make a point of getting as many different versions (and/or license-built derivatives, in the 109's case) of them as possible, just to further complicate maintenance. Oh - and I now need to have 3 different, incompatible types of 20 mm ammo in my supply chain. Maybe even 4 if I can find enough varieties of Bf-109.

[@andrewcoley6029]

Fantastic stuff. Laughed like a drain!

[@f-ducket4586]

Thankful this came up in my feed. Went outside, took a long drag off a cig, came back inside, cracked open a beer and then watched the utter calamity bestowed upon the Elbonian Air Force. RIP Winged Bisson. Brilliant!!! I hope the next up is the Elbonian Navy. Will Drachinifel answer the call?

[@kevinbaird9763]

Congrats Ed, Well deserved!

[@TollHammer]

Way to go Ed, Onwards!

[@molochi]

Gratz on100k! For fighhter I'd go with a Bell, but the P-59B I think. Shiny and with an ubfulfilled full order, but slow and very expensive to maintain.

[@XNOGaming_One]

The Blohm & Voss Bv 141 looks as if it was developed under the influence of Panzerschokolade.

[@MM22966]

Congratulations, Nash. Please keep posting!

[@camrsr5463]

well done with the 100k!

[@nickmaguire4914]

Mate I like your no bullshit style, you aren't pretending to be anything you're not. And your sneaky sense of humour. And your content. Cheers and congratulations on your milestone.

[@vaclav_fejt]

Congratulations, happy Christmas & New year, and what a dog's dinner of an air force this is.

[@Squad23jta]

Congratulations Ed.

[@deltavee2]

Long time subscriber here, Ed. I knew this moment would come. Congratulations and thanks for all the time hard work you've put into this.

[@Retrograde.Renegade]

ALL HAIL THE FREE CITIZEN’S REPUBLIC OF ELBONIA! In all seriousness, congratulations! That is quite an achievement! Keep up the excellent work!

[@dnixon8767]

Congratulations on achieving 100k!

[@Rom3_29]

Ed. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work. Merry Christmas. The land of Bulvania ~ Elbonia

[@gregdrew874]

100k ?? Hurray for us ! Thanks for the Avenues, Ed.

[@hmmjedi]

Congratulations and thank you for these great videos... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and here is to 2025...

[@CapnDan57]

Congratulations on earning yer Silver Play Button! I enjoy yer videos immensely.

[@Lee-u1f]

Thank you too Ed. Your videos are good.

[@rockyraab8290]

Congratulations. Really enjoy your channel. That was a very clever and fiendish selection.

[@AC_702]

Congratulations! Love the channel!

[@benhooper1956]

Thoroughly well deserved, your channel is a beacon of clarity in turbulent times

[@f1b0nacc1sequence7]

Congratulations! You have brought us all a great deal of pleasure (and enlightenment) with your fine work. Hopefully this wonderful achievement will help you escape retribution for your horrible sabotage of the Elbonian Air Force

[@DaiElsan]

Keep the videos coming. Onwards to 200k subs.👍

[@esthera3923]

MAZEL TOV!! Congrats on 100k, your content is amazing and may you have many more good years to come!!!

[@Oliver6163]

I'm kind of surprised you did not consider the Me 210/410 in the heavy fighter role - mediocre performance at best, an outdated design with fatal flaws, and of course the terrible build quality

[@karlbark]

I expected (those) that one too !

[@danielaramburo7648]

I been waiting so long for this video!!!!!! Love it!!!!!

[@eriksolie511]

You have made excellent choices! Elbonia will rule the skies!

[@athiftsabit1208]

Congratulations, i knew you will go big since i found and subbed long time ago with thousands subscribers

[@davidsmithson9236]

Merry Christmas, Ed.

[@bobthenog]

B-29s for maritime patrol and ASW would be... interesting, especially with the engine overheating issues and large amount of maintenance needed. also congrats on the 100k!!

[@kevinhanson8142]

Congrats! You are one of the good ones, for sure. Thank you!

[@Redgolf2]

I thought Hushkit started the hilarious Elbonian airforce thing about 10 years ago. That voice she had was sooo sexy, but hilarious, so much so that she had to get someone else to finish the video as she was laughing so much! Gratz on the 100k bud

[@jwhydes5683]

Great video, Ed. Really enjoyed this.

[@ericmckinley7985]

Congratulations. Been subscribed since I read your book in 2018. Much well deserved success.

[@yaragi]

Congratulations on the 100k, Ed! You truly have earned each and every one of your subs. I've enjoyed your channel immensely and respect all the other bits and bobs you do from time to time. Fingers crossed that you'll get the next 900k in no time!

[@tater-salad]

Congratulations Ed! Your perspective is very important and highly valuable. While others create content in this category from “borrowed” script, your first hand knowledge and experience is highly substantial and beneficial to every military aviation fan. Cheers to you.

[@JeanJacquesCoetzee]

Congratulations on this epic milestone and thank you for all the interesting content 🎉

[@janhaanstra2245]

Congratulations, Ed! Well deserved; informative, well researched and presented with humor. As are your other videos👍😃

[@BassFiddleify]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch 🎉👍,, always a pleasure that vids, thx for that. Have a wonderful Christmas time, all the best, alles Gute,, greetings from northern Germany 🌊❄️🕯️🎉🌲🍀

[@john_smithchiropractor3931]

Love learning about these little known treasures you seem to find. Merry Christmas Ed!!

[@falloutghoul1]

Happy Holidays, Ed!

[@Joewho99]

Excellent video thanks for all your uploads over the years .