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

**bob10** · 16th March 2018, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

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

**bob10** · 16th March 2018, 06:48 AM

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

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** · 4th April 2018, 03:33 PM

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

**goingbush** · 9th April 2018, 04:48 PM

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** · 9th April 2018, 04:55 PM

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

**donh54** · 9th April 2018, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

Supermarine Spitfire MkIX – 3DLabPrint

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** · 9th April 2018, 07:10 PM

Learning to fly with this thing , its almost indestructible

More Vigorsky Edge 340 fun - YouTube

**goingbush** · 12th April 2018, 06:18 PM

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 !!

**bob10** · 12th April 2018, 07:15 PM

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

**goingbush** · 12th April 2018, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by bob10

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

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

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