Unarmed spitfire, 18 year old pilot, flying over Germany.

[bob10]

Photo reccy., I didn't know this.

SPITFIRE 944 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY)

[Gordie]

Never was so much owed by so many to so few

[87County]

best post you've ever made bob10, thanks

[donh54]

Brilliant documentary!

[Colmoore]

Thanks Bob, a very inspiring film. Quite astounding serendipity too!
And some say the Internet is a waste of time....

Cheers,
Col

[JDNSW]

I agree with the above sentiments. I wonder how much other amazing footage is stashed away in cupboards all round the world?

I for one was unaware that the US had ever flown Spitfires as reconnaissance aircraft, and for that matter unaware of that particular variant of the Spitfire. I wonder if it was an unauthorised unit modification?

Thanks for posting that.

[rick130]

I agree with the above sentiments. I wonder how much other amazing footage is stashed away in cupboards all round the world?

I for one was unaware that the US had ever flown Spitfires as reconnaissance aircraft, and for that matter unaware of that particular variant of the Spitfire. I wonder if it was an unauthorised unit modification?

Thanks for posting that.And, thanks to the extra tanks, they could fly you Berlin and back.

Amazing, and lovely seeing the reaction to the old footage.

[bob10]

best post you've ever made bob10, thanks



That's very kind of you, but these thoughts are very subjective, I believe. Personally, I prefer the post about the Bomber Command veterans , previous. Especially the diary of the W.A.G.. It would be interesting to compare total casualties in the PRU squadrons, as to Bomber Command. That would be a good indication of the danger faced, although they all have my respect.

[goingbush]

Fantastic indeed,

I'm building an R/C Spitfire , Now I know what livery I'm going to paint it & US 944 markings of course .

[JDNSW]

That's very kind of you, but these thoughts are very subjective, I believe. Personally, I prefer the post about the Bomber Command veterans , previous. Especially the diary of the W.A.G.. It would be interesting to compare total casualties in the PRU squadrons, as to Bomber Command. That would be a good indication of the danger faced, although they all have my respect.

I am pretty certain Bomber Command had a higher casualty rate than any other allied command, although individual squadrons may have had higher losses. Although I have not seen any figures on recon units, I suspect they were (relatively) not all that high, despite being unarmed - they usually flew very fast planes making them difficult targets for airborne interception, and while they often had to photograph heavily defended targets, again speed made them hard to hit.

The lack of armament would have made them generally a bit more slippery than their armed equivalents, and because of their small number, they would have been given special care in a number of aspects, from ensuring as near perfect maintenance as possible, to ensuring the pilots could navigate (lots of single pilot aircraft from all sides lost in WW2 because they got lost!).

[bob10]

I am pretty certain Bomber Command had a higher casualty rate than any other allied command, although individual squadrons may have had higher losses. Although I have not seen any figures on recon units, I suspect they were (relatively) not all that high, despite being unarmed - they usually flew very fast planes making them difficult targets for airborne interception, and while they often had to photograph heavily defended targets, again speed made them hard to hit.

The lack of armament would have made them generally a bit more slippery than their armed equivalents, and because of their small number, they would have been given special care in a number of aspects, from ensuring as near perfect maintenance as possible, to ensuring the pilots could navigate (lots of single pilot aircraft from all sides lost in WW2 because they got lost!).

The only service that had a higher casualty rate than Bomber Command was the German U-Boat arm. The recon units usually flew at 43,000 ft.,AFAIK, the only German aircraft at the time that could take them on was the Focke Wulf 190, with a ceiling of 37,000ft. However it took a special kind of courage to fly alone and un-armed deep into enemy territory. Flack was the main concern. Here is a doco about a Lancaster operation.

Battle Stations: Lancaster Bomber - Target Germany (War History Documentary) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iua49gCA6A)

[bob10]

This is an interesting read. Take the patience to read thru all of it, you wont be disappointed.

RAF Bomber Command 1939-1945 : Rob Davis (http://robdavistelford.co.uk/webspace/raf_bc/)

Interesting the explanation for the saying " gone for a burton".

The popular expression "Gone for a Burton" meaning "dead" referred to Burton on Trent. This was (and still is) home to a very substantial brewing industry. "Burton Ale" was advertised at the time on a billboard in two parts - two men carrying a ladder - one at each end and then in the second panel one man carrying but the other had disappeared with the slogan - "Gone for a Burton" under it. Hence went for a beer, became RAF slang for "buying the farm" "getting the chop".

[Fourgearsticks]

Just looked up bomber command casualty rate, nearly 45%!!!!
Almost one in two not coming home

[goingbush]

I mentioned I was building an R/C Spitfire and present it in the colors of Spitfire 944.

its going to be entirely 3D printed, Never heard of a printed R/C model before. I don't have a printer so am getting someone to print the pieces for me. The plane is printed, a box of parts should be in the mail later in the week. This is going to be an interesting project.

This is the process.

https://3dlabprint.com/shop/supermarine-spitfire-mkix/

[cripesamighty]

Wow, what a great use for 3-D printers!! Never thought about 3-D printing models. Looks like a great model too.

[donh54]

I mentioned I was building an R/C Spitfire and present it in the colors of Spitfire 944.

its going to be entirely 3D printed, Never heard of a printed R/C model before. I don't have a printer so am getting someone to print the pieces for me. The plane is printed, a box of parts should be in the mail later in the week. This is going to be an interesting project.

This is the process.

Supermarine Spitfire MkIX – 3DLabPrint (https://3dlabprint.com/shop/supermarine-spitfire-mkix/)

Man oh man! I wish I was ten years younger! That's about how long it would take me to learn to fly that thing, and remake all the parts I broke learning!

[goingbush]

Learning to fly with this thing , its almost indestructible

More Vigorsky Edge 340 fun - YouTube (https://youtu.be/K6T4nUCYvH8)

[goingbush]

A box of 3D printed spitfire parts arrived today.

This technology is blowing me away , even the canopy & tyres are 3D printed , the tyres are rubber !!
I hope I do the model credit, never worked with this media before !!

It looks beautiful just taped together sitting on the bench / door !!


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/392.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/393.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/394.jpg

[bob10]

What engine do you place in it. Even taped it looks special.

[goingbush]

What engine do you place in it. Even taped it looks special.


Electric power, this is the motor (link below) it turns a 3 bladed 15x8 prop, about equivalent in power to a 1.20 glow engine,

Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 - 5055-430kv Brushless Outrunner Motor (https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-aerodrive-sk3-5055-430kv-brushless-outrunner-motor.html?___store=en_us)

[bob10]

A really neat bit of kit. And no smell. Any issues with the C.G. as to where the battery pack goes?

[goingbush]

A really neat bit of kit. And no smell. Any issues with the C.G. as to where the battery pack goes?

Yeah , the smell , rather the fumes of the glue is the problem for me, Im allergic to CyanoAcrylate , I can get away using a drop or two but this whole thing is assembled with CA , Im going to need a ventilated mask of some sort.

The instructions specify a specific motor & battery type to get the CG right , no ballast needed, so Im following to the letter, however I do prefer an aft CG , but I wont mess with this one.