HOME | DD
Daniel-Wales-Images — Supermarine Spitfire PR.XI
Published: 2020-05-08 16:34:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 805; Favourites: 74; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description
The Shuttleworth Collection 2018.Related content
Comments: 9
I love this shot! Beautiful clean lines!
The discussion above is very interesting. We always see TV series, films, books etc., about special operations (a favourite) infantry, armour guys, and in the air, first and foremost, fighters. They're the 'glamour boys'. But someone has to service those planes, someone has to get them food, someone has to train them and on and on.
As for the photo recce pilots back in the day, it wasn't only that all you had was a camera, but a lot of the time (on target) you had to fly straight and level. And they didn't have warning radars! Those guys must have been rubber-necking in all directions!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
In all honesty though, if you don't think that flying a single seat aircraft over the heart of enemy territory, knowing full well you are armed with nothing but a camera is not "exciting", I'm not quite sure what you would think is...
The truth of the matter is that much of the most vital work carried out by the armed forces is left unsung by the majority. But then, fighter pilots, bombers and any role that can be talked about, are useful for propaganda and to show those at home that our brave men are taking the war to the enemy. Of course nobody would argue that the men and women who served in the more traditionally talked about roles deserve anything but the highest respect. However we should not forget that it is often the war work that cannot be spoken about that contributes the most to winning a war, and very sadly due to the nature of that work, they are often forgotten. That is why these unarmed Spits and their pilots may not be seen as "exciting", as they are not part of that tradition of telling war stories and singing victory. But at least a few of us understand and try to help keep the stories of the lesser known roles alive.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh jeez, sorry, I really didn’t make my meaning clear. My fault. I meant they don’t get the attention because they don’t have guns so people don’t seem to think they are as ‘cool’ in my experience. I was just in a rush trying to get my shiny new flight stick installed to play my flight sims for the first time since 2013 so wasn’t as careful with my phrasing as I should have been.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
I think actually it's me that hasn't come across right, and I really didn't mean to come across as so pompous... I was actually trying to agree with you that they're not seen as exciting, and was including you in the "At least a few of us understand" thing.
I meant everything I said more in a light hearted conversational way, not as an attack on your statement. There was not meant to be any criticism or animosity in my reply, so I apologise greatly if that was the way it came across.
I honestly understood where you were coming from and my reply was just conversational, as in, it's funny how the world sees things kind of way... my initial statement was meant jokingly too. I hope you understand and accept my apologies. I didn't mean to make you think that you'd said something to upset me, because you really haven't.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I think I got what you meant, there is something very pure about the lines of this PR Spitfire, and this is a wonderful and relevant interview, if you have not already seen it:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie3Srj…
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
👍: 0 ⏩: 0