Post-War Soviet Spitfires

[Spinners 15,986]

Supermarine Spitfire F.24 - Soviet Air Force, 1949

 

The 1946 UK-USSR Trade Agreement saw the sale of Rolls-Royce Derwent and Nene jet engines to the Soviet Union along with an unexpected order for 200 Supermarine Spitfire F.24's for the Soviet Air Force for delivery during 1947. Little was known about these aircraft until during the Berlin Airlift when they were frequently encountered whilst patrolling the air corridors before gaining infamy on March 24th, 1949 when two USAF C-54's were shot down by Soviet Spitfires.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2013 by Spinners