brit ww2 low level through paris, 1943

[flaps]

not quite the dolittle raid but he certainly had a pair.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ch-flag-Arc-Triomphe-Nazi-occupied-Paris.html

 

[KBayDog]

Video or it didn't happen.

 

[Fog]

Sorta surprised they didn't use the Mosquito. It was considerably faster at any altitude. But then again, this pilot's balls & ability probably overwhelmed any airframe consideration. The comments by RAF personnel regarding current cutbacks in their numbers & airframes are also interesting and revealing.

 

[Flash]

Sorta surprised they didn't use the Mosquito. It was considerably faster at any altitude. But then again, this pilot's balls & ability probably overwhelmed any airframe consideration. The comments by RAF personnel regarding current cutbacks in their numbers & airframes are also interesting and revealing.

The Mosquito was just entering service then and hadn't even been officially 'announced' yet at the time so no surprise they used a Beaufighter.

 

[Fog]

According to an RAF history website (historylearningsite.co.uk.com), the Mosquito first flew in November of 1940. Recce units were formed in Sptember of 1941 & the first bomber units in May of '42. The mission cited took place in June 1942 (not '43), so it would have been early in the a/c's career, but it was definitely in-service & operational at the time. My big heartache about the Mosquito is that neither the USAAF or the Navy built an aluminum version for our forces. It was a perfect a/c for long-range Pacific missions during the 1st 2 years of the war. JMHO.

 

[Flash]

According to an RAF history website (historylearningsite.co.uk.com), the Mosquito first flew in November of 1940. Recce units were formed in Sptember of 1941 & the first bomber units in May of '42. The mission cited took place in June 1942 (not '43), so it would have been early in the a/c's career, but it was definitely in-service & operational at the time. My big heartache about the Mosquito is that neither the USAAF or the Navy built an aluminum version for our forces. It was a perfect a/c for long-range Pacific missions during the 1st 2 years of the war. JMHO.

I am deep into a few books about the RAF right now and like many aircraft of the period the Mosquito had a pretty quick introduction to service but it took a while for them to get to 'strength' in the RAF. The light bombers at the time in the RAF was mostly a mixture of Blenheims, Beauforts, Bostons and Hudsons and compared to those the Beaufighter was certainly a better choice to do the mission.

 

[Fog]

What I really meant in these posts is that the best NFO-type job in WWII would have been to fly the right seat of the Mosquito as NAV/BN. I'm sure there was a RIO-type role as well for the right-seat guy in radar-equipped nightfighter versions later in the war. The Mosquito could fly up the butt of anything the Axis had, so some good bogey-dope could put you in any bomber's six pretty easily. As Ricky said, "I'm yealous".

 

[Renegade One]

What I really meant in these posts is that the best NFO-type job in WWII would have been to fly the right seat of the Mosquito as NAV/BN. I'm sure there was a RIO-type role as well for the right-seat guy in radar-equipped nightfighter versions later in the war. The Mosquito could fly up the butt of anything the Axis had, so some good bogey-dope could put you in any bomber's six pretty easily. As Ricky said, "I'm yealous".

Fog: Think I agree...and here's a book you might enjoy...I read another one, very long ago, but couldn't find a link to that one:
http://www.amazon.com/NIGHT-FIGHTER-NAVIGATOR-Beaufighters-Mosquitos/dp/1848841884

Correct me if I'm wrong, but best Mosquito movie was "633 Squadron". Memorable NAV quote: "This is bloody dangerous!" (imagine an Aussie or South African accent...)