Aeroplane Monthly 1978-04
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Personal album
On May 22, 1948, Egyptian Spitfire IXs attacked Ramat David airfield three times. The first attack received no opposition, but the Egyptian pilots met fierce resistance during the successive attacks. Four Egyptian Spitfires were shot down, and four British airmen were killed. In photograph a Dakota full of kit has just received a direct hit.
Flt Lt Ralph Fisher is seated in a Spitfire F.R.XVIII, and was probably about 20 years old at the time.
On May 22, 1948, Egyptian Spitfire IXs attacked Ramat David airfield three times. The first attack received no opposition, but the Egyptian pilots met fierce resistance during the successive attacks. Four Egyptian Spitfires were shot down, and four British airmen were killed. Photographs show various 32 Squadron Spitfire F.R.XVIIIs coded GZ) wrecked by the Egyptian Spitfire IXs. Aircraft damaged during the raid included TP336, TP364, TP443, TP446 and TP450.
On May 22, 1948, Egyptian Spitfire IXs attacked Ramat David airfield three times. The first attack received no opposition, but the Egyptian pilots met fierce resistance during the successive attacks. Four Egyptian Spitfires were shot down, and four British airmen were killed. Photographs show various 32 Squadron Spitfire F.R.XVIIIs coded GZ) wrecked by the Egyptian Spitfire IXs. Aircraft damaged during the raid included TP336, TP364, TP443, TP446 and TP450.
Spitfire F.R.XVIII TZ232 took off with a jammed throttle. It hit the ground and cartwheeled twice, but miraculously the pilot escaped without injury
On May 22, 1948, Egyptian Spitfire IXs attacked Ramat David airfield three times. The first attack received no opposition, but the Egyptian pilots met fierce resistance during the successive attacks. Four Egyptian Spitfires were shot down, and four British airmen were killed. Photographs show various 32 Squadron Spitfire F.R.XVIIIs coded GZ) wrecked by the Egyptian Spitfire IXs. Aircraft damaged during the raid included TP336, TP364, TP443, TP446 and TP450.
Both 32 and 208 Squadron later moved to Nicosia in Cyprus, where this photograph was taken.
The officer seen standing next to the remains of his Spitfire F.R.XVIII is Colin Sloan. He escaped with just one stitch in his nose.
Spitfire F.R.XVIII TZ232 took off with a jammed throttle. It hit the ground and cartwheeled twice, but miraculously the pilot escaped without injury