Spitfire MkVb, VCS-7, US Navy, June 1944

[ndicki 22]

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Spitfire MkVb, VCS-7, US Navy, June 1944

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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

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• Submitter
  ndicki
• Submitted
  06/21/2012
• Category
  Spitfire

 

[B52STRATO 215]

Great job ! Finally a livery that pays tribute to the men in charge of setting naval artillery.

[MAKO69 186]

PAC Theatre was a tuff one for soldiers and pilots early on w/the concept of hold the fort with the older beat up stuff while we take down the Nazi's with the better stuff. It wasn't until the end of WWII that allied Soldiers, Sailors, Marine's, and Aircrew started to get the newer better stuff. Hats off to the allied troops in the PAC for doing what they did with what they had. Building small ships, planes, tanks, and guns by combining deadlined gear that was written off. To hold the fort, and they did, until better gear came. Pilots from different services and nations that were staged together often went over each others planes and even flying them. When the air raid siren went off what ever plane you were next to thats the one you flew. Just another example of the exemplary, the Greatest Generation!

Edited June 21, 2012 by MAKO69

[ndicki 22]

PAC Theatre was a tuff one for soldiers and pilots early on w/the concept of hold the fort with the older beat up stuff while we take down the Nazi's with the better stuff. It wasn't until the end of WWII that allied Soldiers, Sailors, Marine's, and Aircrew started to get the newer better stuff. Hats off to the allied troops in the PAC for doing what they did with what they had. Building small ships, planes, tanks, and guns by combining deadlined gear that was written off. To hold the fort, and they did, until better gear came. Pilots from different services and nations that were staged together often went over each others planes and even flying them. When the air raid siren went off what ever plane you were next to thats the one you flew. Just another example of the exemplary, the Greatest Generation!

 

Er.... yes....