Quote:
Originally Posted by scoundrel
I remember reading one odd account of a squadron operating a specially adapted high-altitude and long range variant of the Spitfire being based somewhere in the Western Isles. They were there to shoot down Luftwaffe reconnaissance aircraft which tried to take photographs of the home fleet at anchor, and they did get some trade occasionally.
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The Luftwaffe had the high-altitude Junkers Ju86P-2 reconnaissance aircraft which first flew in March 1940, but with the ability to fly at 41,000ft, they were immune to interception. The MkII Spitfire and the Hurricane could get up to around 37,000ft.
The MkVI Spitfire was developed to counter the JU 86P-2 reconnaissance aircraft, and the high altitude 86P-1 bomber, so needed an improved engine, a pressurised cockpit and extended, pointed wingtips. As was so often the case, the development of the planned version was protracted, so an "interim" model was hastily put into production. The result was the MkV which was one of the classic Spitfire Marks, and which proved to be almost as capable a high-altitude interceptor as the MkVI.
At least three MkVb's used in Egypt were modified to counter the Ju86P threat. They were given four-bladed props and pointed wing-tips, and were stripped of their radios and other non-essentials so were only left with a single gun in each wing. I believe these aircraft had some success.
The MkVI appeared in early '42 and certainly was used in the defence of Scapa Flow. I know that 310 Squadron was one of those involved, and operated several MkVI's.
I can't find any records of Ju86P's being intercepted over Scapa Flow at any time during the war, but the Luftwaffe
did use other reconnaissance aircraft so my new mission is to find out who shot down what, and when, over the Home Fleet!
That should shut me up for a while!
