Post by 1961redlegs on Jul 4, 2018 19:19:04 GMT -5
I recently finished a Spitfire PRXIX as it appeared over the Italian Front in 1944.
The first and perhaps most useful application of military aviation was and is reconnaissance. Aircraft went where the cavalry couldn’t, by the end of the First World War, no army or navy was without its aerial eyes.
In the Second World War, the Royal Air Force (RAF) attempted to conduct reconnaissance missions the way it had in the First World War: with lumbering, steady photo platforms of aircraft. But, those early sorties proved disastrous, as the Luftwaffe slaughtered the brave, but overmatched recce crews.
Such was the RAF’s quandary. How could they get aircraft in and out of enemy airspace safely with the needed photos?
The answer came in the Spitfire, the fast, maneuverable fighter that made schnitzel out of the planes of the Luftwaffe proved as adept at conducting photo missions.
The PRXIX proved the last iteration of reconnaissance Spitfires. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, it could fly fast at high altitudes, most of this variant had pressurized cockpits.
The XIX entered service in 1944 and served the RAF until 1954. It was the last Spitfire variant on frontline service.
My grandfather’s division (36TH) served on the Italian Front until late summer 1944, when it went to southern France as a part of the Operation Dragoon landings. This plane didn’t get there until after that, but had his division stayed there, this plane’s sorties would’ve hopefully made his life easier.
This is the 1/72 scale Airfix kit, painted Model Master PRU blue and with aftermarket decals. It turned out rather nice and was an easy build.
Note: as you can see, the deck has been resurfaced with two coats of stain and sealant. As much as I tried to preserve a portion as it was for model photos, I was voted down!
Thank you for looking!
The first and perhaps most useful application of military aviation was and is reconnaissance. Aircraft went where the cavalry couldn’t, by the end of the First World War, no army or navy was without its aerial eyes.
In the Second World War, the Royal Air Force (RAF) attempted to conduct reconnaissance missions the way it had in the First World War: with lumbering, steady photo platforms of aircraft. But, those early sorties proved disastrous, as the Luftwaffe slaughtered the brave, but overmatched recce crews.
Such was the RAF’s quandary. How could they get aircraft in and out of enemy airspace safely with the needed photos?
The answer came in the Spitfire, the fast, maneuverable fighter that made schnitzel out of the planes of the Luftwaffe proved as adept at conducting photo missions.
The PRXIX proved the last iteration of reconnaissance Spitfires. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, it could fly fast at high altitudes, most of this variant had pressurized cockpits.
The XIX entered service in 1944 and served the RAF until 1954. It was the last Spitfire variant on frontline service.
My grandfather’s division (36TH) served on the Italian Front until late summer 1944, when it went to southern France as a part of the Operation Dragoon landings. This plane didn’t get there until after that, but had his division stayed there, this plane’s sorties would’ve hopefully made his life easier.
This is the 1/72 scale Airfix kit, painted Model Master PRU blue and with aftermarket decals. It turned out rather nice and was an easy build.
Note: as you can see, the deck has been resurfaced with two coats of stain and sealant. As much as I tried to preserve a portion as it was for model photos, I was voted down!
Thank you for looking!
