LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Combat Warplanes => Topic started by: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 04:52:32 PM

Title: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 04:52:32 PM

The Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) ,RAF Duxford, who's main functions was to tour RAF and USAAF fields so base personnel could have the chance to view enemy aircraft at close range, for there were many unfortunate cases of aircraft being shot down by friendly fire. These visits gave the fliers an important chance to improve their often poor airplane-recognition skills and try their hands at the controls of enemy aircraft.

The image of the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U2 below, were given to me a number years ago my a dear friend, saddly who has now died. His father had been Stationed at Duxford during WW2 and had obtained these photos.

There was a letter with the photo (Now missing) that stated that the Bf 109 was shot down a number of days after these photo were taken, stating the attacking aircraft did not see the RAF markings.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/Me109_2_small.jpg)

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: No.1 on July 05, 2007, 05:11:56 PM

How many types was tested there and what was the results?

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 05:27:38 PM

Results at not known to me, but as to captured aircraft tested, I have a number of photos, among them are Me 110, He 111, another Bf 109. It was not just Luftwaffe aircraft test, Allied aircraft were also sent to Duxford for testing.

I will go through my collection and post the examples I have.

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: santynus on July 05, 2007, 06:29:45 PM

Quote from: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 05:27:38 PM

Results at not known to me, but as to captured aircraft tested, I have a number of photos, among them are Me 110, He 111, another Bf 109. It was not just Luftwaffe aircraft test, Allied aircraft were also sent to Duxford for testing.

I will go through my collection and post the examples I have.

I think can be very interesting see that photos :)) :-wave

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 07:06:32 PM

Here are the Axis aircraft

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/Me109_4.jpg)
Bf 109 (notice the tail, I think it's from a Hurricane)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/Me109_1.jpg)
Bf 109

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/36.jpg)
Ju88

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/17.jpg)
Sorry unknown to me

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/11.jpg)
He 111

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/10.jpg)
Me 110

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/4-1.jpg)
Again He 111

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/3-1.jpg)
Another shot of the He 111

I will post the Allied aircraft next

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: No.1 on July 05, 2007, 07:08:07 PM

Beautiful- and I am lucky to have some of this material too ;) :))

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: santynus on July 05, 2007, 07:32:08 PM

Quote

Sorry unknown to me

this is one Fiat Cr42 Falco
I think is the Cr.42 - 18° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre flown by Sgt. Pietro Salvadori,
captured after one emergency landing on the beach next Norfolk November 1940 now is possible see this aircraft is in the Hendon's Museum

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 07:33:06 PM

Thanks for the information and image  :-ok

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: No.1 on July 05, 2007, 07:40:32 PM

... and this airplane had silver underside instead of Griggio Mimetico ;)

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: mfg495 on July 05, 2007, 08:22:48 PM

Three Spitfires that were under development at Duxford during this period

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/35.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/34.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/matzos/21.jpg)

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: Metar on July 05, 2007, 11:21:10 PM

mfg495.

Very interesting photos,
Specially HE 111 ones I'm a big fan of this aircraft, I remember I have built several kits in my modeling days
in fact I feel the modeling "virus" appearing again thanks to some very good model photos  posted in this forum

One day...
Maybe is closer than I think, who knows?

Thanks for the photos which led to past days memories

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: mfg495 on July 06, 2007, 09:37:03 AM

Thank you Metar for you comments, my first love has always been aircraft of WW2. However, there is one jet that comes close and that is the Canberra.

Title: Re: Air Fighting Development Unit
Post by: santynus on July 06, 2007, 01:12:55 PM

about Camberra I have new material for make a lot of new color profile ;) :-wave