[az_gila]

And a lot of folks don’t even know that the US operated Spitfires in Europe before the P-51s arrived.

For some reason it never got a US “P” designation.

Bob Hoover was shot down in a Spitfire.

[cpdiii]

The P51 was a superior airframe and firepower to the Spit with longer range with it’s drop tanks. It could escort bombers to Germany and back. However it performance was quite anemic compared to the Spit because of the engine. When, the Supermarine Engine was installed in the P-51 it was the most outstanding fighter in air to air combat.

The American P-51 airframe was magic and the British Supermarine Engine was magic plus. However, the Spit will always be the most beautiful piston engine aircraft to every take to the air.

[Vinnie]

And a lot of folks don’t even know that the US operated Spitfires in Europe before the P-51s arrived

I had a friend, a Notre Dame grad, that went to Canada and joined the RCAF in order to get to Britain and fly.

[Tijeras_Slim]

We recently had a WWII vet pass away in Albuquerque whose obituary said he flew Spitfires early in the war. It’s nice to see that was indeed the case. Learn something new here everyday. Thanks.