Flying Spitfires in the Land of the Midnight Sun

摘要

The pilots of 130 Sqn RAF, and presumably those of the other units on 125 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force (2nd TAF),rnwere saddened to be deprived of their Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVs at the close of hostilities in Germany in May 1945. Our beloved mounts were replaced by battle-weary ex-411 Sqn RCAF Mk IXs. These aircraft had formed part of the Canadian element of 2nd TAF, and I, for one, found the transition somewhat disappointing.rnThe Spitfire Mk IX, with its doughty Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, felt rather underpowered after the Mk XIV - fitted with the same company's Griffon - with which No 130 Sqn had achieved such success in the closing stages of the war in Europe.rnMy unit, 130 Sqn, flew back to North Weald after VE-Day and spent a few weeks in England after months on the Continent.