When the Eighth Air Force began arriving in England in 1942, it was initially planned that what fighter units would be assigned to it would utilise the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, while the Bell P-39 Aircobra would provide escort for the medium bombers that were coming. They arrived before their aircraft. In the interim, they were equipped with the Spitfire Mk. V. By the time the similarly-equipped 52nd Fighter Group arrived, the RAF had been able to convince the Americans of the unsuitability of the P-39 for aerial combat in western Europe. As a result, both groups were equipped with Spitfire Mk. Vs.In August 1943, the 308th FS of the 31st FG became the group’s most successful squadron in the USAAF to operate the Spitfire
This set includes only the camouflage pattern. Serial numbers, code letters and other markings are not included. See our website for more.
