"US Navy Spitfires" Topic

I thought I had posted a thread about this subject awhile back but can't find it . But Ill post this as I think some of you might be interested. Robert

Uncle Sam's Spitfires
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Americans in Gibraltar
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And lesser known,

Spitfires of the US Navy
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Spitfire spotters in the US Navy
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Here is a PDF collection of articles on Naval Aviation with an article on VCS-7 at Normandy,
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And from a friend of mine,

"Earlier, on the other side of France, another of those unusually equipped USN squadrons, VCS-7 had similarly operated over the beaches of Normandy. VCS-7 flew the Spitfire Vb. VCS-7 was established on 8 May 1944, made up of 17 VCS and Battleship Observation (VO) pilots from the battleships Nevada, Arkansas, and Texas and the cruisers Quincy, Tuscaloosa, and Augusta. The squadron began training in Spitfire Vb's at Middle Wallop, Hampshire under the direction of Colonel GW Peck of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ninth Air Force. The Navy pilots were trained in defensive fighter tactics, aerobatics, combat formation flying and spotting procedures. Lieut. Comdr. W Denton, Jr., USN, senior aviator from Quincy, took command on May 28th. The squadron was determined to be fully operational that same day and moved to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Lee-on-Solent. At Lee-on-Solent there were five naval squadrons, four FAA and VCS-7. The four FAA squadrons, Nos. 808 (Lieut. Comdr. JF Rankin, DSC, RN), 897 (Lieut. Comdr. WC Simpson, DSC, RN), 885 (Lieut. Comdr. SL Devonald, RN), and 886 (Lieut. Comdr. PEI Bailey, RN), were assigned Seafire III's. VCS-7 had Spitfire Vb's. The squadrons' aircraft were pooled to insure maximum availability. This meant that VCS-7 flew whatever type was available, either Seafire or Spitfire. German aerial opposition was rarely encountered. VCS-7 pilots had four recorded encounters with German fighters, and suffered no losses, but neither did they score any victories. Losses to Anti-aircraft fire were also small, with only one pilot lost. The VCS-7 after action reports record only this one loss as the total for the operational period, but other sources report upwards to seven aircraft lost to enemy fire and one operational loss. It is entirely probably that both are correct except that the VCS-7 reports only the pilot loss not the loss of aircraft not resulting in a personnel loss. VCS-7 flew approximately 200 combat sorties between 6 and 25 June. On 26 June, as the fighting had moved beyond the range of naval gunfire, the squadron was disestablished and the pilots returned to their ships."

Wow, I had no idea. Thanks Robert!

My Please Jack. I bet they were glad to give up their SOC
Seagulls and OS2U Kingfishers to fly the Spitfires. Robert

That was very enlightening. I never knew that any Americans had driven Spits.

Oh yes, quite a number did, as part of reverse lend-lease, both in Europe and the Mediterranean. The USAAF used Mark Vs, VIIIs, and IXs. EDIT: And PR.XIs.

I thought the recon spitfires had no guns, no armor, no bullet resistant plexiglas, just a stripped down AC that had extra fuel tanks added so it could get greater range and speed. If that is the case for this squadron, that would explain why no victories.

There was just another post a few days ago about a film clip on youtube of an American recon Spitfire making a crash landing and the pilot walking away. Just recently a researcher found the still living former pilot and showed him the film clip. The former pilot was stunned to see the film clip, brought back many memories as he named off fellow that appeared in the film.

Link to the previous Spitfire topic with a link to the youtube video.

TMP link

They used more British aircraft then some know. The USN using some is really less known. Robert

Wish that was the one I posted awhile back MM. Way more info and photos in it. Robert

"Spotting for the naval bombardment during the D-Day invasion was done by 34 Recce Wing, the Air Spotting Pool of 2nd Tactical Air Force. This was made up of 26 and 63 Squadrons RAF, 885 Squadron RN, and VCS-7 USN and was commanded by a Commodore of the RN. The aircraft used were Spitfire Vbs and Seafire IIIs. With the launch of the D-Day invasion of Normandy imminent, seventeen naval aviators were taken from aviation units on battleships and cruisers and were assigned to bombardment duty as part of VCS-7. The spotters flew the Spitfires from June 6th through June 26th, although they started flying some of their original aircraft as early as June 25th. Once Cherbourg fell VCS-7 was disbanded and the Spitfires were returned to the British. The US Navy shows 1 combat loss of a Spitfire from VCS-7."
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A VCS-7 pilot, ENS Adams , was the first Naval Aviator to land in France when he landed his damaged Spitfire at an auxiliary landing field in France
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"I thought the recon spitfires had no guns, no armor, no bullet resistant plexiglas, just a stripped down AC that had extra fuel tanks added so it could get greater range and speed. If that is the case for this squadron, that would explain why no victories."

VCS-7 used fully armed Spitfires and Seafires, with two 20mm cannon and four .303 machineguns. The Royal Navy flew Spitfire Vc and Seafire LII/IIIs over the beaches to spot as well.

Then-Lieutenant R. "Mike" Crossley of "They Gave Me a Seafire" fame flew a Royal Navy Seafire over the beaches on spotter duty with No 3 Wing and knocked down a Bf 109 with only 20 cannon shells per gun on D+1. (Crossley was Wing Gunnery Instructor as well, and was a remarkable shot.)

"Wish that was the one I posted awhile back MM. Way more info and photos in it."

I meant my thread I made . Robert

I wonder if the American pilots were as full of praise for the Spit as the British

Not suure how the pilots of VCS-7 felt. But I seem to recall a USN officer praising the Spitfire/Seafire. Robert

"United States Navy pilot Corky Meyer made a positive comment about the Seafire fighter he test flew during the Joint USAAF/US Navy Fighter Conference in Florida, United States in Mar 1943:

Without argument, the Spitfire/Seafire configuration was probably the most beautiful fighter ever to emerge from a drawing board. Its elliptical wing and long, slim fuselage were visually most delightful, and its flight characteristics equalled its aerodynamic beauty.

The Seafire had such delightful upright flying qualities that knowing it had an inverted fuel and oil system, I decided to try inverted "figure-8s". They were as easy as pie, even when hanging by the complicated, but comfortable, British pilot restraint harness. I was surprised to hear myself laughing as if I were crazy. I have never enjoyed a flight in attitude. It was clear to see how few exhausted, hastily trained, Battle of Britain pilots were able to fight off Hitler's hordes for so long, and so successfully, with it.

The Lend-Lease Royal Navy Wildcats, Hellcats and Corsair fighters were only workhorses. The Seafire III was a dashing stallion!"
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The USN Flew P-40s and P-51s too. Robert

[Quote]I thought the recon spitfires had no guns, no armor, no bullet resistant plexiglas, just a stripped down AC that had extra fuel tanks added so it could get greater range and speed. If that is the case for this squadron, that would explain why no victories.[/Quote]

You are thinking of strategic photographic reconnaissance. The spotter squadrons can be thought of as analagous to the tac recce sqns of the RAF – they might carry a camera, but principally relied on the pilot's eyeball, and were always fully armed. Arguably, the only real oddity is that the naval types had Spitfires / Seafires, whilst RAF tac recce in the UK was largely flying Mustang I/IAs, which were probably more suited to the role. Presumably a case of the FAA wanting to stay with the Seafire for ease of conversion?

Arguably, the only real oddity is that the naval types had Spitfires / Seafires, whilst RAF tac recce in the UK was largely flying Mustang I/IAs, which were probably more suited to the role. Presumably a case of the FAA wanting to stay with the Seafire for ease of conversion?

Probably more to do with spare parts and maintenance.