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Some of the 4th FG and a lot of A-2s
- Thread starter Smithy
- Start date
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Looks to be a Spit with US markings . I know he flew them in the Eagle Squadron and I know we had a recon unit that flew spits but were there any other US groups using them ?
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Like Greg said Burt. There were only 3 FGs that used them and the other 2 were in the MTO. The 4th was the only US FG that used them over northern Europe and only because that was all they had when they transferred from the RAF. The top brass though were keen for the media starlets that the Eagles/4th were to have US flyboys flying US planes hence the fairly quick transition to Jugs. Blakeslee was never a convert though and rallied the powers-that-be for P-51Bs as soon as it became clear they would be introduced. He obviously harassed, begged, threatened them enough because he got his "long range Spitfires" as he called them.
There were also 2 PRGs that used them in US service too.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Yup, Blakeslee had promised General Kepner he'd do it in 24 hours. Blakeslee was shrewd though as he knew a lot of the pilots had a lot of time logged on Spits and the mechanics had worked on Rolls-Royce Merlins from the Spitfire days.
Brettafett
Well-Known Member
Perhaps this is for a =diiferent thread, but has anyone else watch 'Airdogs'?
Its actually quite brilliant. You follow two pilots, one an AF test pilot 10,000 hrs, the other, a PPL with 300 hrs.
They take turns flying different planes, incl a B-25 and a Lancaster.... and my favourite, going from a Stearman, to a Harvard and on to a P-51 - fascinating insights
Watch Air Dogs | Prime Video
Two men. Two flight plans. One love: aviation! Capt. Robert Reichert is an Air Force test pilot. Confident, skilled and brave. Mark Miller is a weekend warrior, with a private license and few hundred hours and not enough knowledge to know what he's gotten into.
www.amazon.com
Its actually quite brilliant. You follow two pilots, one an AF test pilot 10,000 hrs, the other, a PPL with 300 hrs.
They take turns flying different planes, incl a B-25 and a Lancaster.... and my favourite, going from a Stearman, to a Harvard and on to a P-51 - fascinating insights
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Haven't seen it Brett, I'll check it out. Thanks for the link!
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Same in Norway too.
Found a trailer for it which I posted in the thread Brett's made for it. Looks like a lot of fun.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Such a terrific read. He was apparently incredibly charming and fun to be around with a wonderful sense of humour. Never met the chap but wish I had.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Tim
Thanks for that . I’m always learning from this forum and guys like yourself . Deeply appreciate the info.
Griffon_301
Well-Known Member
Ehm, regarding Spits in US service, do not forget the US Navy pilots flying Spitfires in the Artillery Spotter Pool for the DDay landings...their Spits also carried US markings and were operated within the USN as replacement for their usual Curtiss and Vought floatplanes which were deemed too vulnerable to operate over the landing beachheads...
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Very true Phil and I should probably have been more specific but I was referring to those in USAAF service as that's what the 4th belonged to.
I always forget the navy guys ;-)
Griffon_301
Well-Known Member
Ah sure 
as the USAAF PR squadrons flying the Recce Spits were already mentioned, I loved the short documentary about Spitfire '944, ...
as the USAAF PR squadrons flying the Recce Spits were already mentioned, I loved the short documentary about Spitfire '944, ...
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Ah sure
as the USAAF PR squadrons flying the Recce Spits were already mentioned, I loved the short documentary about Spitfire '944, ...
The look on that guy's face when he realises it's him in the wartime film is priceless. Great little film.
Cocker
Well-Known Member
I thought the Spitfires of VCS-7 carried british markings, though. Do you have any pictures with US markings?
Griffon_301
Well-Known Member
You were right of course...the Spotter Spits carried RAF markings while being used by VCS-7....
