About This File
Spitfire MkVb, VCS-7, US Navy, 5th - 26th June 1944.
Because of the high vulnerability of the SOC and OS2U spotter aircraft normally carried on board US Navy cruisers and battleships, it was felt that naval artillery spotters during the landings in Normandy would need aircraft better able to defend themselves against German fighters. As a result, 17 pilots were drawn from the cruisers CA 31 Augusta, CA 37 Tuscaloosa, CA 71 Quincy and the battleships BB 33 Arkansas, BB 35 Texas and BB 36 Nevada; they were affected to the Air Spotting Pool, based at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, along with two RAF Spitfire squadrons, Nos. 26 and 63, and four FAA Seafire squadrons, Nos.808, 885, 886 and 897.
VCS-7 became operational on 28th May 1944.
During operations, all aircraft were pooled, which meant that in fact, any pilot from any of the seven Spitfire/Seafire units could find himself flying any Spitfire or Seafire available, regardless of any theoretical 'ownership'. As a rule, aircraft operated in pairs, one spotting, the other covering.
After three weeks of highly successful operations, VCS-7 was stood down on 26th June as the fighting moved beyond the range of the ships' guns.
As they were on temporary loan from the RAF, all the aircraft used by VCS-7 retained their RAF markings.
For use ONLY with SF2 including the Israel Expansion Pack. This will NOT work if you do not have the stock TW Spitfires installed and working.
Credits:
Model, Flight Dynamics and Decals by Third Wire
Flight Dynamics by ShrikeHawk based on TW Spitfire MkIXc
Cockpit by Stary
Skin, data.ini modifications, sounds and assembly by ndicki
Guns by AvHistory