SQUADRONS! No.42: The Supermarine Mk V – The Australians

Paradoxically, the Mk.V, which ended up being the most numerous variant of the famous fighter built, was not even an intended development of the design. Indeed, it was only considered because of the abandonment of the Spitfire Mk.III. As the Luftwaffe was continually improving its formidable Messerschmitt Bf 109, the latest version of which, the Bf 109F, clearly outclassed the Spitﬁre Mk.II, the British had no other option but to rapidly ﬁnd a successor to the latter. At this time, at the end of 1940, the British did not know what the Germans’ were planning and expected them to carry on undertaking daylight raids upon the return of nicer weather. The RAF, therefore, wanted to be ready to counter the new German fighter developments. A solution was soon found by mounting a Merlin 45 (former Merlin III), a simpliﬁed version of the Merlin XX, on a slightly strengthened Spitﬁre Mk.I or Mk.II airframe. Several Spitfires were thus modiﬁed, with either a Merlin 45 or Merlin 46, during the first weeks of 1941. The resulting feedback was good and the Air Ministry requested that Supermarine modify, as early as possible, Spitﬁres already on the assembly lines so they could be put into service as rapidly as possible. This is how the Spitfire Mk.V came to be. In 1941, the Spitfire Mk V progressively became the backbone of the Fighter Command and among the squadrons that switched onto the Spitfire Mk V, there are only the three Australian squadrons, Nos. 452, 453 and 457 while in the Middle East, the Australians operated also the Spitfire Mk V with No. 451. Their actions are fully described here in 64 pages, illustrated with 75 photos and seven colour profiles. The usage of the Spitfire V in Australia is not included in this book.

PAPERPACK VERSION – SOLD OUT

Profiles:

EE797/BQ-Y – 451 Sqn

AB842/UD-X – 452 Sqn

AB198/UD-R – 452 Sqn

EP605/FU-Z – 453 Sqn

BL384/BP-N – 457 Sqn (F/L JAA Gibson)

BM143/BP-A – 457 Sqn (S/L PM Brothers)

BL636/BP-P – 457 Sqn

available as an ebook with ISBN 979-1096490-69-1

New PDF uploaded December 2023

November 2020: Gloster Meteor NF.11 (French Pt-1) – 23 photos

Each photograph is offered at a 300dpi res/13x8cm size making them available for a very good quality digital print, but also for Iphone/IPad, smartphone or computer screen (but should convert the image into a jpeg format for doing so)

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 201: Meteor NF11-34/30-OH, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 202: Meteor NF11-36/30-OJ, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 203: Meteor NF11-38/30-OL, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 204: Meteor NF11-37/30-OK, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 205: Meteor NF11-33/30-MD, ECN 2/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 206: Meteor NF11-23/30-FF, ECN 3/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 207: Meteor NF11-29/30-OC, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 208: Meteor NF11-22/30-FE, ECN 3/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 209: Meteor NF11-29/30-OC, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 210: Meteor NF11-20/30-FC, ECN 3/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 211: Meteor NF11-19/30-FB and NF11-24/30-FG, ECN 3/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 212: Meteor NF11-18/30-FA, ECN 3/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 213: Meteor NF11-14/30-ME, ECN 2/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 214: Meteor NF11-14/30-ME, ECN 2/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 215: Meteor NF11-12/30-MC, ECN 2/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 216: Meteor NF11-11/30-MB, ECN 2/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 217: Line-up of Meteor NF11s of ECN 2/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 218: Meteor NF11-33/30-OG, ECN 1/30

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 221: Meteor NF11-16/346-QA, CITT 346

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 222: Meteor NF11-17/346-QB, CITT 346

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 223: Meteor NF11-16/346-QA, CITT 346

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 231: Meteor NF11-13/MN, CTB

French Meteor NF.11 – photo 232: Meteor NF11-11/MM, CTB

October 2020: Supermarine Scimitar (Pt-1) – 27 photos

Scimitar Pt-1 (operational squadrons)

Scimitar – 01: Scimitar XD248 – 144/R, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 02: Scimitar XD243 – 190/R and XD244 – 191/R, 807 Sqn

Scimitar – 03: Scimitar XD243 – 190/R and XD244 – 191/R, 807 Sqn (2)

Scimitar – 04: Scimitar XD246 – 104/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 05: Scimitar XD248 – 195/R, 807 Sqn

Scimitar – 06: Scimitar XD248 – 195/R, 807 Sqn (2)

Scimitar – 07: Scimitar XD249 – 196/R, 807 Sqn

Scimitar – 08: Scimitar XD249 – 196/R, 807 Sqn (2)

Scimitar – 09: Scimitar XD265 – 105/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 10: Scimitar XD268 – 156/V, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 11: Scimitar XD268 – 194/R, 807 Sqn

Scimitar – 12: Scimitar XD276 – 100/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 13: Scimitar XD278 – 145/R, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 14: Scimitar XD278 – 102/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 15: Scimitar XD279 – 103/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 16: Scimitar XD282 – 193/R, 807 Sqn

Scimitar – 17: Scimitar XD317 – 112/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 18: Scimitar XD320 – 148/R, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 19: Scimitar XD322 – 106/R, 800 Sqn

Scimitar – 20: Scimitar XD322 – 147/R, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 21: Scimitar XD323 – 157/R, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 22: Scimitar XD333 – 033/R, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 23: Scimitar XD333 – 147/H, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 24: Scimitar XD333 – 147/H, 803 Sqn (2)

Scimitar – 25: Scimitar XD264 – 154/V, 803 Sqn

Scimitar – 26: Scimitar XD236 – 195/C, 807 Sqn

Scimitar – 27: Scimitar XD250 – 147/R, 803 Sqn

September 2020: Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 26 photos

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 01: Prototype A.2/45 VL515

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 06: Pioneer CC.1, XE515, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 07: Pioneer CC.1, XG550, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 08: Pioneer CC.1, XJ465, No. 20 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 09: Pioneer CC.1, XK367, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 10: Pioneer CC.1, XK368, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 11: Pioneer CC.1, XK370, No. 20 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 12: Pioneer CC.1 XL519.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 13: Pioneer CC.1, XL555, No. 215 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 14: Pioneer CC.1, XL558, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 15: Pioneer CC.1 XL664.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 16: Pioneer CC.1 XL665.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 17: Pioneer CC.1 XL666.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 18: Pioneer CC.1, XL666, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 19: Pioneer CC.1 XL667.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 20: Pioneer CC.1 XL699.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 21: Pioneer CC.1, XL702, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 22: Pioneer CC.1, XL703, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 23: Pioneer CC.1, XL705, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 24: Pioneer CC.1, XL705, No. 209 Sqn.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 51: Pioneer CC.1, FM1011, RMAF.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 52: Pioneer CC.1, FM1012, RMAF.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 53: Pioneer CC.1, FM1013, RMAF.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 54: Pioneer CC.1, FM1014, RMAF.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 55: Pioneer CC.1, FM1015, RMAF.

Scottish Aviation Pioneer – 56: Pioneer CC.1, FM1016, RMAF.

August 2020: Phantom FGR.2 (6 Sqn) – 40 photos

Phantom FGR.2, 6 Sqn, RAFG

Phantom FGR.2 – 51: Phantom FGR.2 XT895/P, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 52: Phantom FGR.2 XT906/906, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 53: Phantom FGR.2 XV395/395, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 54: Phantom FGR.2 XV400/400, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 55: Phantom FGR.2 XV403/403, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 56: Phantom FGR.2 XV404/404, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 57: Phantom FGR.2 XV407/D, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 58: Phantom FGR.2 XV408/408, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 59: Phantom FGR.2 XV408/L, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 60: Phantom FGR.2 XV413/B, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 61: Phantom FGR.2 XV414/414, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 62: Phantom FGR.2 XV416/416, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 63: Phantom FGR.2 XV417/417, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 64: Phantom FGR.2 XV418/418, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 65: Phantom FGR.2 XV419/419, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 66: Phantom FGR.2 XV420/420, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 67: Phantom FGR.2 XV420/H, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 68: Phantom FGR.2 XV422/E, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 69: Phantom FGR.2 XV423/R, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 70: Phantom FGR.2 XV424/424, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 71: Phantom FGR.2 XV424/G, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 72: Phantom FGR.2 XV425/425, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 73: Phantom FGR.2 XV429/429, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 74: Phantom FGR.2 XV436/436, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 75: Phantom FGR.2 XV437/437, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 76: Phantom FGR.2 XV438/A, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 77: Phantom FGR.2 XV442/442, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 78: Phantom FGR.2 XV442/F, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 79: Phantom FGR.2 XV461/461, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 80: Phantom FGR.2 XV461/K, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 81: Phantom FGR.2 XV466/466, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 82: Phantom FGR.2 XV466/J, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 83: Phantom FGR.2 XV478/C, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 84: Phantom FGR.2 XV480/M, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 85: Phantom FGR.2 XV490/M, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 86: Phantom FGR.2 XV497/B, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 87: Phantom FGR.2 XV492/Q, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 88: Phantom FGR.2 XV499/G, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 89: Phantom FGR.2 XV490/M, No. 6 Sqn

Phantom FGR.2 – 90: Phantom FGR.2 XT895/P, No. 6 Sqn

SQUADRONS! No.41: The Bristol Brigand

The Bristol Brigand was developed at the end of WW2 as a replacement for the Bristol Beaufighter. Initially developed as a torpedo-fighter, the design was modified after the war in the aim to use the Brigand as a light bomber. The Brigand was later deployed overseas and served in the Middle East and the Far East, participating to the Malayan Emergency in the early fifties with Nos. 45 and 84 Squadrons, while in UK it was used in its training versions. This book is illustrated with 40 photos and 5 colour profiles. The Bristol Buckingham and Buckmaster are also covered in this book.

REVISED OCTOBER 2022

Profiles:

VS816/A – 8 Sqn

RH829/OB-M – 45 Sqn

RH776/K – 84 Sqn

RH811/G – 84 Sqn

RH823/P – 84 Sqn

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-66-0

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HOW TO ORDER:

Send your mailing address with your phone number in using ‘contact’ button and we will respond with a Paypal request with the following amount:

EU, UK and USA: 14.00 Euros postage included

Rest of the World: 16.50 Euros postage included

Multiple purchases with combined postage possible.

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PDF available as 979-1096490-67-7

(new PDF uploaded August 2023)

July 2020: English Electric Canberra B(I). 8 in Foreign markings – 28 photos

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 201: Canberra B.12 NZ6104, 14 Sqn RNZAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 202: Canberra B.12 NZ6105, 14 Sqn RNZAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 203: Canberra B.12 NZ6105, 14 Sqn RNZAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 204: Canberra B.12 NZ6106, 14 Sqn RNZAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 211: Canberra B.12 No. 453, 12 Sqn SAAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 212: Canberra B.12 No. 453, 12 Sqn SAAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 213: Canberra B.12 No. 455, 12 Sqn SAAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 214: Canberra B.12 No. 455, 12 Sqn SAAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 215: Canberra B.12 No. 456, 12 Sqn SAAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 221: Canberra B(I). 58, IF900, IAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 222: Canberra B(I). 58, IF901, No. 106 Sqn IAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 223: Canberra B(I). 58, IF919, No. 35 Sqn IAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 224: Canberra B(I). 58, IF922, TT conversion, IAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 225: Canberra B(I). 58, IF976, IAF

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 251: Canberra B(I). 68, 202, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 252: Canberra B(I). 68, 202, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 253: Canberra B(I). 68, 203, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 254: Canberra B(I). 68, 245, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 2515 Canberra B(I). 68, 252, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 256: Canberra B(I). 68, 249, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 257: Canberra B(I). 68, 255, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 258: Canberra B(I). 68, 255, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 259: Canberra B(I). 68, 256, Peruvian Air Force (FAP)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 281: Canberra B(I). 8, 1C39, Venezuelan Air Force (FAV)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 282: Canberra B(I). 8, 3C39, Venezuelan Air Force (FAV)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 283: Canberra B(I). 8, 4C39, Venezuelan Air Force (FAV)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 284: Canberra B(I). 8, 5B39, Venezuelan Air Force (FAV)

Canberra B.8 Foreign markings – photo 285: Canberra B(I). 8, 0240, Venezuelan Air Force (FAV)

June 2020: The Hawker Demon – 34 photos

Hawker Demon – 01: Hawker Hart J9933, modified as prototype of the Hawker Demon (initially Hart Fighter)

Hawker Demon – 02: Hawker Hart J9933, modified as prototype of the Hawker Demon (initially Hart Fighter) in flight

Hawker Demon – 03: Hawker Hart Fighter K1952, K1955 and K1951, No. 23 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 04: Hawker Hart Fighter K1953, No. 23 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 05: Hawker Hart Fighter K1952, No. 23 Sqn

………

Hawker Demon – 07: Hawker Hart Fighter K1954, No. 23 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 08: Hawker Demon K2842 during its tropical trials as single-seater in 1933

Hawker Demon – 09: Hawker Demon K2905 and K3767, No. 41 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 10: Hawker Demon K3774, No. 29 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 11: Hawker Demon K3776

Hawker Demon – 12: Hawker Demon K3786, No. 23 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 13: Hawker Demon K3982 and K3983, No. 29 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 14: Hawker Demon K4498, No. 604 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 15: Hawker Demon K4499, No. 604 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 16: Hawker Demon K4500, No. 604 Sqn, OC’s aircraft

Hawker Demon – 17: Hawker Demon K4506, No. 604 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 18: Hawker Demon K4503, No. 604 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 19: Hawker Demon K4504 and K4499, No. 604 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 20: Hawker Demon K5697, No. 600 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 21: Hawker Demon K5898, No. 23 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 22: Hawker Demon K5705, No. 23 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 23: Hawker Demon K5709, No. 600 Sqn

Hawker Demon – 24: Hawker Demon K5738, 9 BGS

Hawker Demon – 25: Hawker Demon partially camouflaged, No. 604 Sqn, 1938, Munich Crisis

Hawker Demon – 51 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-33, No. 1 Sqn RAAF

Hawker Demon – 52 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-21 and A1-16, 1 SFTS in 1940.

Hawker Demon – 53 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-52, 46 and 60, No. 3 Sqn RAAF in 1938

Hawker Demon – 54 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-15, No. 21 Sqn RAAF

Hawker Demon – 55 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-14/Y-2 of 1 FTS at Point Cook in 1940–1941

Hawker Demon – 56 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-1 and A1-15 of the Armament Training Squadron (ATS)

Hawker Demon – 57 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-27 , No. 3 Sqn RAAF 1938.

Hawker Demon – 58 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-61/61, 1 SFTS in 1940

Hawker Demon – 59 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-2, 1 SFTS in 1940

Hawker Demon – 60 (RAAF): Hawker Demon A1-56, 12 SFTS in 1940.

May 2020: Washington B.1 – 15 photos

Washington B.1 – 01: B-29 44-61599 with RAF markings seen in February 1950 on arrival in UK. That was the first British B-29

Washington B.1 – 02: Washington WF435 of Washington CU (WCU)

Washington B.1 – 03: Washington WF442/KO-J of No. 115 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 04: Opposite side of Washington WF442/KO-J of No. 115 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 05: Washington WF443/KO-D of No. 115 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 06: Washington WF446/KO-B of No. 115 Sqn being bombed-up

Washington B.1 – 07: Washington WF448/KO-A of No. 115 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 08: Washington WF497/LS-A of No. 15 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 09: Washington WF498/LS-B of No. 15 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 10: Washington WF504 on arrival to No. 15 Sqn dispersal, later to be coded LS-C

Washington B.1 – 11: Washington WF545 of No. 90 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 12: Washington WF446 while at Disposal Flt in 1953

Washington B.1 – 13: Washington WF548 of No. 115 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 14: Washington WF549/M of No. 207 Sqn

Washington B.1 – 15: Washington WF560 of No. 115 Sqn in 1953

SQUADRONS! No.40: The North American Mustang III over Italy and the Balkans (Pt-1)

The North American Mustang is certainly one of the legendary fighters of the Second World War. The aircraft can be split into two ‘families’, the Allison-powered and Merlin-powered. The RAF Marks I and II belong to the first category, while all subsequent marks belong to the second. The change of engine made the aircraft perform far better at higher altitudes. The Merlin 61 (with the two-stage supercharger) provided significantly improved results above 15,000 feet and was without compare above 20,000 feet. All this without sacrificing range. This was a key point as, in 1942, the RAF was looking for a long-range escort fighter, a role the Spitfire, whatever the mark, could not fulfill with complete satisfaction from the British Isles. The British conducted an experimental programme with the new engine on various test-beds (known within the RAF as the Mustang X) while the Americans were doing the same thing on their side. The Americans first discovered the best way to pair the Merlin and the airframe and, after the first flight of the XP-51B on 30 November 1942, the future of the P-51B was guaranteed. The British ordered hundred of Mustang IIIs (denomination given to both P-51B and P-51C) and they served in Western Europe and in Italy. In Italy up to May 1945, six squadrons were totally equipped with the type, No. 3 RAAF, No. 5 SAAF, and RAF 112, 213, and 249 Squadrons, while, just after the war, other units (RAF 250, 260, and the Australian 450) received a mix of Mustang IIIs and IVs. This first part will develop the operational usage of the dominion units (3 RAAF, 5 SAAF, 450) and the ‘gift’ units, 249 (Gold Coast) and 250 (Sudan) Squadrons. Close to 40 photos and 7 colour profiles illustrate this part. 40 pages

REVISED MAY 2024

Available as a paperback version with ISBN 979-1096490-64-6

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