Air Fighting Development Unit

[mfg495]

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.

Air Fighting Development Unit

[No.1]

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

[mfg495]

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.

[santynus]

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

[mfg495]

Here are the Axis aircraft

Air Fighting Development Unit

Bf 109 (notice the tail, I think it's from a Hurricane)

Air Fighting Development Unit

Bf 109

Air Fighting Development Unit

Ju88

Air Fighting Development Unit

Sorry unknown to me

Air Fighting Development Unit

He 111

Air Fighting Development Unit

Me 110

Air Fighting Development Unit

Again He 111

Air Fighting Development Unit

Another shot of the He 111

I will post the Allied aircraft next

[No.1]

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

[santynus]

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

[mfg495]

Thanks for the information and image 

[No.1]

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

[mfg495]

Three Spitfires that were under development at Duxford during this period

Air Fighting Development Unit

Air Fighting Development Unit

Air Fighting Development Unit

[Metar]

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

[mfg495]

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.

[santynus]

about Camberra I have new material for make a lot of new color profile