Description

A fascinating exploration of the feats of the RAF's photographic reconnaissance aircraft.

The photographic reconnaissance (PR) versions of the Supermarine Spitfire saw service against the Axis Tripartite throughout World War 2. Its superior performance even led to the USAAF adopting the type for the Eighth Air Force's reconnaissance needs in Europe. PR Spitfires were responsible for some of the most significant intelligence finds of the war – from low-level oblique photographs of new German radars in France to locating the battleship Bismarck off the Norwegian coast before it attempted to sortie into the Atlantic. It has been estimated that as much as 80 per cent of Allied intelligence was gathered from aerial photographs, many of which were taken by cameras installed in PR Spitfires.

In this volume, RAF PR specialist Andrew Fletcher details the important part played by the small number of 'photo-recce' Spitfires in the key theatres of World War 2. His detailed text, which includes numerous first-hand accounts, chronicles operations from the first months of the conflict through to VJ Day.

Table of Contents

(Subject to Confirmation)
1. Origins (1939 to November 1940)
2. Re-organisation (November 1940 to November 1941)
3. Overseas operations (1942–43)
4. USAAF operations (1943–45)
5. Global operations (1944–45)
Appendices
- Listing of operational units equipped with PR Spitfires (variants and locations)
- Colour plates commentaries
Index

Product details

Published Aug 17 2023
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472854629
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Colour artwork plates and maps; black & white and colour photographs and illustrations.
Series Combat Aircraft
Short code COM 150
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Andrew Fletcher

Andrew Fletcher is the author of a number of artic…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives i…

Illustrator

Gareth Hector

Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international…

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