Willyslancs Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Not really into planes , but isnt this a spifire?....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Yes. What about it, other than a nice Flying Control Jeep in the background! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 If you mean 'Why has it git, or GOT even, USAAF markings, then it is a PRU unit. Note colour, and no guns, the USAAF used them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 thats all i wanted to know ............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Your welcome! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinweasle Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 If you mean 'Why has it git, or GOT even, USAAF markings, then it is a PRU unit. Note colour, and no guns, the USAAF used them. Sorry whats a PRU unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWS Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Sorry whats a PRU unit? Photographic Reconnaissance Unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trustmeimamechanic Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 High altitude PRU at that.... note the lack of a bullet proof front screen Next time you are flying on holiday and the pilot comes on the intercomm saying " we are cruising at 44 thousand feet and its -50 outside" ... spare a thought for the guys who were flying spits in those conditions in 1944 ...:wow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morris C8 Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 The US all so had a few fighter squadrons of Spitfires, One of them was the 334th FS made up of ex US Eagle Squadron pilots of the RAF. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Rimmer Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 A number of USAAF units were equipped with Spits at one time or another,both Eighth and Ninth Air Force. It's a shame we can't see the tail number to find the when and where for the top pic. Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flywheel Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 this photo looks as it may have been "staged" surely if this aircraft had belly landed there would have been more damage to the grass, this is only my opinion so please correct me if im wrong;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 A Spitfire is fairly light, especially a PRU, it doesn't do much damage to the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 If it was summer, and the ground hard, you wouldn't get any disturbance to the ground either. For all we know, there are skid marks along the grass to the aircrafts 8 O' Clock position, so hidden from our view. Belly landed aircraft don't always stay pointing the direction of the landing as they come to a stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flywheel Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Thanks guy's your probably right i stand corrected Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 If he walked away that counts as a good landing. (If you can use the aircraft afterwards, that's a GREAT landing.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schliesser92 Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 The belly landed a/c is a PR Mk XI from 14 PR Squadron, USAAF. Tail number is PA944. As it has invasion stripes painted on, this is a good dating indicator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 The belly landed a/c is a PR Mk XI from 14 PR Squadron, USAAF. Tail number is PA944. As it has invasion stripes painted on, this is a good dating indicator. Intrestingly the only German PRU photos of the Normandy beaches was achived with an Arado A234 jet bomber. The Allies didn't even know it was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Rimmer Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 The belly landed a/c is a PR Mk XI from 14 PR Squadron, USAAF. Tail number is PA944. As it has invasion stripes painted on, this is a good dating indicator. Thanks for the info. Spitfire Mk XI PA944 14th Phoro Recon Squadron,7th Photo Recon Group,landing accident at Mount Farm(the 7th PRG's base) on 12th September 1944,the pilot was John S.Blyth and the aircraft suffered catagory 3 damage. Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike65 Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 By all accounts it was the subject of a documentary, trailer available here www.dav32.com Full thing is available from itunes for the princely sum of £1.49 (well worth it IMHO) http://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/spitfire-944/id345093719 Includes an interview with the pilot and the plane had just returned from a mission over the Ruhr Photo recon Spitfires had the guns removed and additional fuel tanks installed. They also had a bulge under the nose where engine oil tank had been increased in size to allow for the extended flight times. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.