Supermarine Spitfire Operational History - Photo Reconnaissance

Photo Reconnaissance

Before the Second World War long range photographic reconnaissance was not considered to be a priority by the RAF, which relied on Bristol Blenheims to carry out photo-reconnaissance as a secondary task. Short range photo-reconnaissance was left to the Army Cooperation Command's Westland Lysanders. Neither aircraft had the speed or altitude performance to avoid enemy fighters, and their light armament meant that expecting them to fight their way through to a target to take photographs was a forlorn hope. Both aircraft types took heavy casualties when faced with modern fighters and A.A fire.

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Famous quotes containing the word photo:

    All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this—as in other ways—they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.
    John Berger (b. 1926)