The author was able to borrow Mk 24 Spitfires from 80 Sqn for local reconnaissance sorties, and also air-tested VN308 before it was passed on to the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force Squadron. He took this study of VN318, wearing the squadron code W2-E, from a Spitfire Mk XVIII in 1951.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVIII / 21 / 22 / 24 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1944

When presented with a German 60in focal-length lens, the author had it fitted to an F52 camera body, but it was too big for a Spitfire to accommodate. Instead it had to be carried in the starboard gun blister of a Sunderland V like this example, NJ176, which began life as a Mk III and is seen here with 88 Sqn at Kai Tak, Hong Kong. It crashed at Seletar, Singapore, on November 21, 1949.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sunderland / S.25 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

F Mk.3s of 33 Squadron, FEAF, at Butterworth, North Malaya, prepare for a strike against bandits in South Kedah in 1952.
Another high-speed piston-engined aircraft that saw service in the Far East was the de Havilland D.H.103 Hornet, which replaced Spitfire Mk 24s in 80 Sqn. The author flew his Spitfire PR.XIX as escort to Hong Kong’s new AOC on his initial arrival at Kai Tak in a Hornet in April 1951, as related last month. These Hornet F.3s of 33 Sqn are seen in typical Far Eastern scenery.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Hornet / Sea Hornet / D.H.103 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1944

Although neither of the Spitfire PR.XIXs (PS852 and PS854) flown by the author in Hong Kong survive, their sister aircraft PS853 does, in the hands of Rolls-Royce at Filton. Seen here during its unbroken 31-year career (1964-95) with the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, PS853 never served in the Far East; it flew with the RAF in the UK and Europe in 1945-50, then went to Short Brothers’ Meteorological Flight until retirement in 1957.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX PS836 of 81 Sqn, the author’s parent unit during his Hong Kong posting. The unit operated this type from September 1946 to April 1954, serving as the reconnaissance element of the Far East Air Force.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943