What is a PR Spitfire?

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XI serial number PL965 left the Aldermaston factory in mid 1944. Built as a PR Mk XI photo reconnaissance aircraft, she was designed to operate at high altitudes (over 30,000 ft) as well as at high speeds of over 400 mph, and as such was the fastest of all the Merlin powered Spitfires.

What does a reconnaissance plane do?

A reconnaissance aircraft (colloquially, a spy plane) is a military aircraft designed or adapted to perform aerial reconnaissance with roles including collection of imagery intelligence (including using photography), signals intelligence, as well as measurement and signature intelligence.

What was the last MK of Spitfire?

The Mk. 24 was the final variant of the Spitfire and this particular aircraft, built in 1947 (registration VN485), saw RAF service in Hong Kong with 80 Sqdn and later with the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force until 1955.

What is photo recon?

also re·con·nois·sance (rĭ-kŏn′ə-səns, -zəns) An inspection or exploration of an area, especially one made to gather military information.

What was the importance of photographic reconnaissance in WW2?

The importance of photographic reconnaissance was recognised in October 1942 when No. 1 PRU was reorganised into five PR squadrons. No. 540 became a dedicated Mosquito squadron, while No. 544 Squadron would convert to the type in March 1943.

Why did Britain not have a reconnaissance aircraft in WW2?

Britain began the Second World War dangerously short of capable reconnaissance aircraft. The Supermarine Spitfire had solved part of the problem, providing an aircraft with the performance to take photographs over defended areas, but it did not have the range to make an ideal PR aircraft.

What kind of cameras did the British use in WW2?

At first Britain used a handful of hastily modified Spitfires (PR 1) and some medium twins (Bristol Blenheims) for photographic reconnaissance, supplemented by in-action footage shot from regular bombing aircraft. At this time the RAF still used the vintage F8 and F24 cameras, later adding the larger F52.

How did aerial reconnaissance change during WW2?

Aerial reconnaissance in World War II. A transformational growth in air reconnaissance occurred in the years 1939-45, especially in Britain and then in the United States. It was an expansion determined mostly by trial and error, represented mostly by new tactics, new procedures, and new technology, though rarely by specialized aircraft types.