Post by larryc1 on Apr 13, 2015 19:38:31 GMT
Pierre Clostermann, the famous French fighter pilot (33 kills), was temporarily based here in with 602 Squadron. In his book, 'The Big Show', he described taking off from this field (Skeabrae) with his wing-man in an attempt to intercept a Luftwaffe aircraft photographing the Naval base at Scapa Flow, the home of the British Fleet. They were flying so-called 'Strato Spitfires Mk VII (Type 351). This Spitfire had longer. pointed wings, a pressurized and heated cockpit, retractable tail-wheel, reduced armament, 1680 horsepower and could achieve over 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) in altitude! They sucessfully intercepted the Luftwaffe a/c (a Bf 109 G 6/R3) at 41,000 feet (12,496 meters). The Luftwaffe pilot unsuccessfully attempted to dive away from them.
cl-04-07-06-100773276 2.kmz (471 B)
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'Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat their mistakes.'
- George Santayana
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