Author Topic: Photo recon (Read 208 times)

VWE001 · « **on:** March 20, 2002, 10:38:50 AM »

Here's a thought... how about including photo birds in place of dar bar? While said bird is over target said country gets dots on there map. Spit Mk. XI, F-51, F-38... no guns, no kills but perkies dependant on time over target. Gee... you might actually see someone use a Ta-152 for a high alt intercept.

AKSWulfe · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2002, 10:47:36 AM »

The P-51 photo recon model had armament.

It's not a F-51 though, F designates Fighter, a post world war II designation. All WWII fighters were P for Pursuit.
-SW

VWE001 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2002, 10:58:24 AM »

Yes, but was F not the designation for photo during WWII? I know F is for fighter today, but this is not a sim of today. Actually the photo pony was the F-6... think it was an Allison powered bird too? Think A-36...

AKSWulfe · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2002, 11:05:06 AM »

I don't know the exact designations, my books are at home.

The A-36 is the attack version of the P51, was used a lot in the Med.

I don't believe the P-38 was armed when it was in photo recon version, since the camera was loaded into the nose.

I have a magazine of a rebuilt P-51B that was modified to hold a camera. Or maybe it was an A model, I forget. Anyway, it still had 4x.50s in the wings but had the radio removed (I believe) because the camera sat right behind the pilot in the armored area behind the armored head rest.

Not sure about the Spit, but I think they were armed too.

I'm still at work, but in about 10 hours when I get home I can give you some better info.
-SW

VWE001 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2002, 11:19:59 AM »

The Mark XI was a development of the original British Spitfire interceptor that first flew in 1936. the Mark XI was essentially a Mark IX Spitfire modified for photographic reconnaissance with cameras and a more powerful engine. All guns and armor were removed and the fuel capacity was greatly increased. Speed was the unarmed Mark XI's defense. A total of 471 Mark XIs were built between April 1943 and January 1946. Various photoreconnaissance versions of the Spitfire were built and used by Great Britain and her allies with great success in all theaters during World War II.

The F-5 was the photo version of the P-38

The F-6 was the photo version of the P-51

During the war, the AAF acquired 40 Canadian Mossies and flew them under the American F-8 (photo reconnaissance) designation. In addition, the British turned over more than 100 Mosquitos to the AAF under Reverse Lend-Lease. These aircraft retained their British designations.

Just a few notes I have found while pokin around the net.

AKSWulfe · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2002, 11:24:24 AM »

Strange on the spitfire, I could of sworn I've seen pictures of Spit's modified for recon duty but with .50s still attached...

Those F designations look right, I just knew F-51 and F-38 looked funny. :-)
-SW

Mathman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2002, 11:52:29 AM »

F-6D was the photo version of the P-51D.

F6F-5P was the photo version of the best plane of the war.

-math