WWII pilot gets shown footage of his 1944 Spitfire crash
Discussion
Ayahuasca said:
Fantastic, thanks for sharing.
I didn't know that the USAAF flew Spitfires, or that Spitfires could make it to Berlin (and linger half an hour over the target).
Google "US Eagle Squadrons"I didn't know that the USAAF flew Spitfires, or that Spitfires could make it to Berlin (and linger half an hour over the target).
They were American volunteers who came to UK under their own steam, joined either the RAF or RCAF, and were then assigned to RAF squadrons. They moved around quite a bit, ending up at RAF Debden in Essex in 1942. With the arrival in UK of the 4th Fighter Group, US 8th Air Force, the pilots/squadrons/aircraft were handed back to US control. Same happened to RAF Debden.
Many US pilots served and gave their lives in the defence of Britain during the Battle of Britain and in wider Operations. Some declined to move to the USAAF, preferring to stay in the RAF for the duration.
As for Spitfires over Berlin? The ones that did that stuff were long range reconnaissance aircraft. They were stripped of all their weapons in order that they would be able to carry sufficient fuel/cameras to photograph the results of bombing raids.
Bonkers mental bravery right there. The Luftwaffe would know they were coming, having been recently bombed, and the sorties were flown in daylight in order to take any meaningful photographs. I'm not sure I'd be over the moon taking on a job that sent me unarmed and expected into a SERIOUSLY hostile environment, but finding young men with an adrenalin fuelled need for adventure/danger/excitement has never really been that difficult, and back then freedom and a whole way of life were at stake...
...the USAAF/USAF have form when it comes to using British aircraft in the reconnaissance role. Spitfires, Mosquitos, and in the jet age, a licence built version of the Canberra bomber, the Martin/General Dynamics RB-57 Canberra. This last one has been used fairly recently in deployments to Afghanistan. Not too shabby for an aircraft design that first flew in 1949!!
The USAAF also used Spitfires in Italy, I remember seeing a picture of one crashed on the beach at Anzio which had been used for artillery spotting. The USAAF also used them in the pure interceptor role in the Italian campaign. Mark Vs I think. Most wore RAF pattern camo with the roundels covered with US markings, I think some retained their RAF serials.
Italeri made (may still do) a 1/72 kit of a Mk V with US markings as an option.
Italeri made (may still do) a 1/72 kit of a Mk V with US markings as an option.
Edited by Neonblau on Thursday 13th June 12:24
yellowjack said:
Ayahuasca said:
Fantastic, thanks for sharing.
I didn't know that the USAAF flew Spitfires, or that Spitfires could make it to Berlin (and linger half an hour over the target).
Google "US Eagle Squadrons"I didn't know that the USAAF flew Spitfires, or that Spitfires could make it to Berlin (and linger half an hour over the target).
That's the one. I couldn't remember the detail but it's obvious now that it was a straight transfer across, it's even still got its ADGB band on the fuselage.
I might still have one of these in the stash although again looking at the pic I think I bought it for Ian Gleed's machine. Tempted to dig it out an build it now.
I might still have one of these in the stash although again looking at the pic I think I bought it for Ian Gleed's machine. Tempted to dig it out an build it now.
Ayahuasca said:
Fantastic, thanks for sharing.
I didn't know that the USAAF flew Spitfires, or that Spitfires could make it to Berlin (and linger half an hour over the target).
Most Spitfires couldn't make Berlin from the UK. But the reconaissance versions had extra fuel tanks. The bad news is the guns were taken out to make room. I didn't know that the USAAF flew Spitfires, or that Spitfires could make it to Berlin (and linger half an hour over the target).
Dr Jekyll said:
Most Spitfires couldn't make Berlin from the UK. But the reconaissance versions had extra fuel tanks. The bad news is the guns were taken out to make room.
What use would the guns have been? They weren't going to be attacking anything and the speed and altitude that they were flying made them all but impossible to intercept.TEKNOPUG said:
What use would the guns have been? They weren't going to be attacking anything and the speed and altitude that they were flying made them all but impossible to intercept.
I think I'd still feel safer over enemy territory with a gun or two, though agree they would probably make you more vulnerable not less.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff