Spitfire Photo-Recce Units of World War 2

(Paperback)

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This book explores the fascinating feats of RAFs photographic reconnaissance aircraft. During World War 2, photographic reconnaissance in the RAF started gathering intelligence on the enemy using cameras installed in PR Spitfires. The aircraft that proved this concept was the Supermarine Spitfire, which, stripped of all excess weight, and carrying cameras and additional fuel, penetrated deep into enemy territory to bring back photographs that specialist interpreters could scrutinise to determine the enemys activities. This fascinating book examines the evolution of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU), from a small clandestine flight of the British Secret Intelligence Service into an operational group fulfilling the photographic requirements of clients including the RAF and the War Office. From various bases in Britain, the uniquely camouflaged blue (and, occasionally, pink) Spitfires of the PRU covered targets in occupied Europe from the Norwegian fjords to the great German industrial centres. Their superior performance made an immediate impact in North Africa and Malta as the PR Spitfires kept watch on German and Italian forces. Further afield, in India, Spitfires flew over the jungles of Burma monitoring Japanese troops. Using specially commissioned aircraft profile artwork, first-hand accounts and original photography, aviation expert Andrew Fletcher explores the fundamental role of the iconic PR Spitfire throughout the war and its various theatres.

Author Bio

Andrew Fletcher is the author of a number of articles on RAF operations and aircrew during World War 2, his research being specifically focused on the work of Photographic Reconnaissance Units. Andrew is a former RAF avionics technician, and after leaving the Service, he continued to work in the aviation industry. He lives near Mallow in the Republic of Ireland. Jim Laurier is a native of New England, having grown up in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and throughout his life he has worked in many mediums creating artwork on a variety of subjects. He has worked on the Osprey aviation list since 2000, and in that time he has produced some of the finest artwork seen in these volumes. Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing as well as an aviation history enthusiast. Gareth, based in Scotland, completed the cover artwork for this volume.