BBC with part of the story of the Spitfire aircraft

[Ranald]

I hope this BBC link works

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/topics/...arine_spitfire

I came across it when watching a program, showing the excavation of one that crashed in Ireland.

Ranald

[Alastair]

I note many messages about not being able to view BBC videos in your country. For what it is worth there is a site that claims to offer identity cloaking which is meant to allow you to watch those BBS videos. The site is at https://www.identitycloaker.com/amem...?a_aid=pbman4u if you wish to check it out. It is a paid service but for just a few Euro's you can get a 10 day trial to see if it would work for you.

I make no claims for it as I haven'r personally tried it so just pass this on for what it's worth.

Alastair

[miolchu]

I met a retired American pilot who claimed to have flown both The Supermarine spitfire and the North American P 51 during the second world war. I was suspicious for quite a while until my father corrected me by explaining that the United States purchased and operated the spitfire during and after the war.

The pilot had said that he didn't like the spitfire on the ground, but once in the air, it was a joy to fly.

[miolchu]

I found a link THE 456th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON

http://www.456fis.org/SPITFIRE.htm

The United States Army Air Forces' (USAAF) 31st and 52d Fighter Groups flew the the Mk V variant of the spitfire during Operation TORCH, the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. Some of the American pilots removed one machine gun from each wing to lessen weight and thereby improve maneuverability. Also, to protect the engine in the desert climate. I found this very interesting as our History of WWII focuses on our use of our own developments (with the exception of Rolls Royce allowing Packard to build merlin engines under license).