« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: American Spitfires  (Read 1667 times)

Offline Puck

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2980
American Spitfires
« on: April 28, 2008, 11:01:37 AM »
I've been reading about the air war in Italy, and they have made several mentions of American Spitfires flying combat patrols.  There is also a photo of a Spitfire in early American AAF livery without any bars.

This is the first I've heard of Americans flying combat missions in Spitfires.  I've heard of photo recon, but no combat.  Anyone have any other details?

<edit>
Here
</edit>
« Last Edit: April 28, 2008, 11:04:13 AM by Puck »
Logged
//c coad  c coad run  run coad run
main (){char _[]={"S~||(iuv{nkx%K9Y$hzhhd\x0c"},__
,___=1;for(__=___>>___;__<((___<<___<<___<<___<<___
)+(___<<___<<___<<___)-___);__+=___)putchar((_[__
])+(__/((___<<___)+___))-((___&

Offline Karnak

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 23048
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2008, 11:15:25 AM »
Quote from: Puck on April 28, 2008, 11:01:37 AM
I've been reading about the air war in Italy, and they have made several mentions of American Spitfires flying combat patrols.  There is also a photo of a Spitfire in early American AAF livery without any bars.

This is the first I've heard of Americans flying combat missions in Spitfires.  I've heard of photo recon, but no combat.  Anyone have any other details?

<edit>
Here
</edit>
We flew a lot of combat ops in Spitfires, but they weren't well publisized stateside as the news/government/military understandably wanted to focus on American boys doing great in American built machines.  I can think of several reasons, such as keeping the moral of the workforce up, i.e. on't make them doubt the value of the equipment they are making by suggesting we need to use foreign machines.
Logged
Petals floating by,
      Drift through my woman's hand,
             As she remembers me-

Offline Angus

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 10057
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2008, 11:22:17 AM »
It started before the entry of the US when the American-volunteer Eagle Squadron was at large...
But there were squadrons, yes...
Logged
It was very interesting to carry out the flight trials at Rechlin with the Spitfire and the Hurricane. Both types are very simple to fly compared to our aircraft, and childishly easy to take-off and land. (Werner Mölders)

Offline colmbo

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2246
      • Photos
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2008, 12:37:54 PM »
I think the 4th FG started in Spits.

31st FG flew Spits as part of 8th AF out of England (getting the first 8th AF kill IIRC).  31st then went to N. Africa with the 12th AF flying Spits until mid '44 or so when they switched to Mustangs and the 15th AF.
Logged
Columbo

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

Fate whispers to the warrior "You cannot withstand the storm" and the warrior whispers back "I AM THE STORM"

Offline Mike Williams

  • Zinc Member
  • *
  • Posts: 40
      • http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2008, 12:44:18 PM »
Hi Puck:

The 31st and 52nd Fighter Groups of the USAAF used Spitfires in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from Nov. 42 into Spring of 1944.  I created a web page on the 31st quite a few years ago that discusses their use of Spitfires, see:   31st Fighter Group

There are some scans of Combat Reports from 52nd Fighter Group pilots whilst flying Spitfire IX’s  HERE


52nd FG Spitfire IX EN 354, La Sebala, Tunisia, June 1943


31st FG Spitfire IX EN 307, Le Sers, Tunisia, May 1943

Of course the 4th FG used Spitfires in the ETO.  There were a number of units that used them for photo recce also.

Mike
Logged

Offline MiloMorai

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6864
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2008, 03:18:10 PM »
The 4th FG flew Spit Vs from Sept 42 > Apr 43.
Logged

Offline Angus

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 10057
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2008, 05:51:01 PM »
They were somewhat green when they entered though. Wonder how they faired.
Logged
It was very interesting to carry out the flight trials at Rechlin with the Spitfire and the Hurricane. Both types are very simple to fly compared to our aircraft, and childishly easy to take-off and land. (Werner Mölders)

Offline SgtPappy

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1174
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2008, 07:30:52 PM »
Some of the American Spitfire V's fought at Dieppe on August 19th.

There are a lot more occasions as well. Check out this:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=mLJcA6hGWvkC&pg=PA90&dq=American+Spitfire+Aces+of+WWII&sig=2ZI_kdHgjpNMFryMtqk8I7Pxhg0#PPP1,M1
Logged
I am a Spitdweeb

"Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth... Put out my hand and touched the face of God." -J.G. Magee Jr.

Offline Bruv119

  • Aces High CM Staff
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 15678
      • http://www.thefewsquadron.co.uk
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2008, 05:18:26 PM »
no such thing  :t
Logged
The Few ***
F.P.H

Offline Guppy35

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 20385
Re: American Spitfires
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2008, 05:48:51 PM »
31st FG had Spit Vs, IXs and VIIIs first in ETO then MTO
52nd FG had Spit Vs and VIIIs  MTO
4th FG started in Spit Vs before transitioning to P47Cs  ETO
USAAF recce units in England flew Spitfire PRXIs ETO
Logged
Dan/CorkyJr
8th FS "Headhunters
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »