Photographic Reconnaissance Spitfires

mfg495 · 23-01-2008, 06:58 PM

First Photo-reconnaissance Spitfire Mk1A leaving on the first spitfire recce sortie of WW2

Spitfire PRXI - The most produced recce version of the spitfire.

Another Spitfire PRXI - This time in USAAF colours

The last version of the reconnaissance spitfire the PRXIX - The last ever reconnaissance sortie in a PRXIX was in 1957

Kyt · 23-01-2008, 07:32 PM

Great pics. Is that US one PA950?

mfg495 · 23-01-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyt

Great pics. Is that US one PA950?

Its MB950 "Upstairs Maid" 14th Photo Squadron,

The aircraft in the image below started life as PA908 of 681 Sqn RAF, it was handed over to the Royal Indian Air Force in 1947 and became a ground instructional airframe-M-342 at Allahabad. It was found in Poona in 1984 and sold to Jeet Mahal of Canada and today sits at the USAAF museum at Dayton Ohio painted as MB950

Another USAAF Recce Spitfire PRXI

Kyt · 23-01-2008, 10:42 PM

Ahh I could see the 950 but couldn't quite make out the preceding letters. Thanks.

That last picture - PL965 - is interesting. The Spifire files don't show it having served with the USAAF. I have it as 16 Squadron and then RNethAF. And then its subsequent history warbirdregistry.org - A Warbirds Resource Group Site - Supermarine Spitfire

Do you know when the photo was taken and why it has US markings?

Antipodean Andy · 24-01-2008, 05:41 AM

Kyt, looks like she flew in those colours with OFMC. Don't have a reason for the colours though. Something different on the display circuit perhaps?

- First flight, at Rochester Airport, Dec. 23, 1992.
- Flew as USAAF/PL965/R.
- Operated by Old Flying Machine Company, Duxford, 1993-1995.
Robert A. Fleming & Anthony J.E. Smith/The Real Aeroplane Company, Breighton, July 6, 1997-2002.
- Flown in pink scheme.
- Damaged during landing, Woodchurch, Aug. 2, 1998

Certainly rings a bell with me. Gary might have a better reference.

Antipodean Andy · 24-01-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfg495

The last version of the reconnaissance spitfire the PRXIX - The last ever reconnaissance sortie in a PRXIX was in 1957

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

mfg495 · 24-01-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy in West Oz

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

Sorry Andy, yes that was the last reconnaissance sortie by an RAF Spitfire PRXIX.
However, one Spitfire PRXIX was used in mock dogfight trails against an English Electric Lightning, I think this was in 1963. This was in anticipation of possible combat against Malaysian Air Force P-51's

Nostalgair · 24-01-2008, 06:09 PM

Hi All,

Here's a shot I took at Duxford a few years back of a Spitfire PRXIX, as previously mentioned. Those clean leading edges are something to behold on a fighter aircraft.

Web Spitfire PRXIX.jpg

Cheers,

Owen

mfg495 · 24-01-2008, 06:31 PM

PR Spitfires were used by 7th Photo Reconnaissance Group, however in my listings there is no PL965.

A bit more history post 1997,
2004 Hangar 11 Collection, North Weald
1998 Real Aeroplane Co., Breighton

The history of this PR XI - Hangar 11 Collection

I have just sent an email to the company to see if they have any infomation

mfg495 · 24-01-2008, 07:52 PM

Just received this from Peter Teichman of Hangar 11 Collection

"I understand that in early 90's when she was in the hands of Old Flying Machine Company at Duxford, she was painted in these colours for some time. I am not aware that PL 965 served in USAAF at any time, just 16 squadron RAF and after Dutch squadron"