Just found these ...

[rohan]

I was browsing a thread at another forum which had a link to youtube where I came across these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PHcdn8R4d4

I wasn't particularly interested in this one until I saw which aircraft was involved - it's just so darn frustrating and annoying that this great guy is American rather than British, since we stand little chance of seeing his prizes over here ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQvoC0VB_rE

And this one just popped up in the list after it - almost had me in stitches ...


ATB,
Ro

[Paul K]

Odd that in the first video, he says the Harrier was the first foreign-built aircraft in the US inventory since WW1. Hmm..Mosquitos ? Spitfires and Beaufighters ?

[rohan]

... and of course the Canberra ...

[cstorey]

The Canberra as B-57 was not in fact foreign built, but was built by Martin under licence from English Electric, so strictly speaking they are correct. I don't believe the USAF ever used Spitfires or Mosquitos

[AllanL]

The USAAF used UK and Canadian built photo reconnaissance Mosquitoes from the UK and I believe they had Mosquito night fighters in Italy. I think they also had Spitfire VIIIs in Italy. They initially used Beaufighters as night fighters until the P-61 came along. But apart from that what did the Romans ever do for the USAAF.

It has been suggested that the USAAF organised a fly-off between the P-61 and the Mosquito in which the RAF pilots in the Mosquitoes held back, as the RAF wanted all the Mosquitoes they could get and did not want to share! Just fancy, different services failing to play well together.

[Chris Trott]

He was simplifying the situation, but he's correct. The AV-8A was the first foreign-built aircraft ordered for the US Military since WWI. The other aircraft listed were either license built in the US (Canberra) or were simply "acquired" from other countries, but not specifically ordered/built for US service. All of the models that were used in any numbers during WWII were quickly disposed or returned to their original owner at the end of the war with only one or two evaluation examples retained if any.

If anyone knows the history of US Military Aviation, it's Art. The guy is awesome.

[Airspeed]

Interesting couple of videos there, Rohan.
I was willing that tank to get out, but it just couldn't make it. (I get too involved, I know!)
Funny how estate agents can be so fortunate as to aquire THREE Harriers.

[Paul K]

I don't believe the USAF ever used Spitfires or Mosquitos

They most certainly did, Chris.

List of USAAF and USN Units that operated the Spitfire:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_S ... ted_States


Mosquitos in American service:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... sp?id=3365

I think the Americans operated the weather recon Mosquito at RAF Watton in Norfolk, my old home. Though not at the same time, of course.

[Airspeed]

Photos of Spitfires in US markings in one of my books attribute 307th and 309th squadrons to 31st Fighter Group, a little different to that Wiki list.
I have no idea who's right in that respect.

EDIT: The Mosquito link gives me a 404 error. My books include a Mosquito of "25th BG".
Another says "25th (Reconnaisance) Group, but it is pictured near a B17, so I suppose it could be recce. section of the Bomber Group.

[rohan]

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... sp?id=3365

I'm afraid that link gives me a 404 - page not found, but perhaps that server is down for routine maintenance at this time.

And, in Art's defence, we should remember that he's ex-USMC, not ex-USAF or ex-USN ...

I was willing that tank to get out, but it just couldn't make it. (I get too involved, I know!)
Funny how estate agents can be so fortunate as to acquire THREE Harriers.

I'm with you there, Mike. I couldn't believe how close they were to getting out each time, but I guess that's the whole point of the clip. And the changes of direction were so smooth and quick, but I suppose circumstances were working in their favour there.

And, yes, not one, not two, but THREE Harriers plus spares plus parts ...

Hoo, yar !
Ro