Photographic Reconnaissance Spitfires

**mfg495** · 12-31-2008, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by Antipodean Andy

And that was the last Spitfire sortie in RAF hands, wasn't it, mfg?

Andy sorry for the very long delay in replying,

PS888 of 81 Squadron which was based at Seletar in Singapore during the Malaya Campaign. This aircraft conducted the last ever operational sortie by an "RAF Spitfire" on 1 April 1954 , it flew a photographic mission over an area of jungle in Johore thought to contain hideouts for Communist guerrillas

**Antipodean Andy** · 01-02-2009, 03:22 AM

Cheers, mate, welcome back. She's with the BBMF now or is that the one they sold to Rolls Royce?

**mfg495** · 01-02-2009, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by Antipodean Andy

Cheers, mate, welcome back. She's with the BBMF now or is that the one they sold to Rolls Royce?

Thanks Andy, my work at this present time keeps me away from the internet during the week.

The BBMF website states that PS915 wears the colour scheme and markings of PS888. PS915 served with 541 Sqn in June 1945, missing service during WW2, however, the aircraft moved to 2 Sqn in Germany and flow reconnaissance sorties of Europe, retuning to the UK in 1951. Then in late 1957 becoming a "gate guardian" at RAF West Malling, RAF Leuchars and RAF Brawdy for nearly 30 years before joining the BBMF in 1987. She is fitted with an ex-Shackleton Griffon engine

**Keith** · 01-02-2009, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Kyt

Great pics. Is that US one PA950?

Hi Kyt
Do you like this one from"Eyes of the R.A.F. The History of Photo Reconaissance" by Roy Conyers Nesbitt
Maybe a secret branch of pigeon post, can't make out the rank !

**oowebb** · 04-16-2009, 12:30 PM

Here are three pictures of 140 Squadron PR Spitfires.

I hope they are of interest to you.

Nick

**mfg495** · 04-16-2009, 01:33 PM

Great set of images, they look like PR Type G's. The squadron did have trials with PR XIII's, again this version still have its weapons installed.

**David Layne** · 04-16-2009, 04:58 PM

I have posted this series of pictures before but on checking couldn't find them. As this thread is about Photographic Reconnaissance its somewhat apt to post them here too.

The pictures are from my fathers P.O.W. "Wartime Log"

This is Tich Lockyer who lists his address in my father's P.O.W. log as 84 Hamilton Road, Chorley, Lancs.

I understand Tich was shot down 22/02/41 flying Spitfire R6598 (1PRU) over Ostend.

In my father's log book Tich has sketched a Spitfire being bounced by 3 Messerschmidt's, presumably depicting his own shoot-down.