: Vente 8 2S Fo fe nee See & PPE eeranes cS MARK! ane PART. Classic Warbird sere No 3 Paul Ludwig and Malcolm LairdAMERICAN SPITFIRE CAMOUFLAGE & MARKINGS, Part 1 By.. Paul Ludwig and Malcolm Laird The first Spitfire ever to wear USAAF markings... Loa nee ni “ Ul Two Officers of Brigadier General Frank Hunter's staff, in England 1942, with the first Spitfire to wear USAAF markings. Lett, unidentified, right J. Francis Taylor. The picture. was taken by Colonel Cass Hough, also a member of Hunter's staff No. 3 in the Classic Warbirds seriesThis revised edition, ‘American Spitfire— Camouflage and Markings, Part 1’ includesadditional photographs of other Allied Spitfires operating alongside USAAF squadrons and more on Vichy French air units which. opposed the Operation Torch landings. The appendices have also been revised. A second companion publication is available covering the 4th and 52nd FG, the 7th PG and the 67th RG. Both Paul Ludwig and I thank Mrs Pat Keen, author of the authoritative ‘Eyes of the Eighth’, for putting us in touch. She recommended Paul asa Paul Ludwig Malooim Laird researcher on USAAF Spitfire Groups and we decided to develop our ideas based around Paul’s photo collection and historical research, and my knowledge US Navy pilot from 1954 to 1958. After gaining his wings in 1955 he was commissioned and flew the Douglas AD-6 Skyraider with VA-145 ona tourin the Western Pacific aboard the US in 1957 and 1958 bur returned to civilian li retired as of their camout ind markings. Paul Ludwig served as S. Homet in 1957. He was an instructor on Skyraiders ater that year and joined Northwest Airlines. He 7 Captain after 36 years of airline flying, having logged 23,000 hours. Paul, who lives in Seattle, Washington began his research into aviation subjects in 1980 and plans to publish a major work on the development of fighter escort doctrine in the USAAK in the future. Albo, special thanks to David Frowen for his editorial critique and proof reading and to Wojtek Matusiak for his Spitfire camouflage advice. sk hy “My initial interest in USAAF Spitfires came when I sat down for a beer with the late Lt. John Fawcett, who lived here in Seattle with his wife ‘Lady Ellen’ (see page 54). John’s help and encouragement with my research turned out to be invaluable. At 31st FG reunions I received great friendship and assistance from Col. Frank Hill, Capt. Harry Barr, Lt. Bill Skinner, Brig. Gen. Harrison Thyng and Maj. Gen. C.M, MeCorkle. Long weeks of research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and at the Simpson Historical Research Library at Maxwell AFB in Alabama, were aided by the extremely helpful staff there. My lovely wife JoAnne has given me daily support for my idea to write this brief history. Also, thanks to all those supporters I may not have mentioned individually.” VE Fillo "3 FRONT COVER COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS... © Spitfire Mk Vi ‘MX-R’ of the 307th FS, England, July/August 1942 Squadron Leader Bernard Dupérier’s Spitfire Mk Vs, 340 (French) Squadron, RAF, August 1942 iptain Harry Barr's Spitfire Mk IX of the 309th FS, Italy, December 1943 Lieutenant John Fawcett’s Spitfire Mk IX of the 309th FS, Italy, March 1944 Background collage; two photos of 307th FS pilots in North Africa. Classic Warbirds series No 3 Published by Ventura Publi American Spitfire - Camouflage & Markings, Part 1 PO. Box 10-213, Authors. Paul Ludwig & Malcolm Laird Wellington, Colour Illustrations. Malcolm Laird New Zealand Page design... Judy Laird Phone +64(4)385 8189 Fax +64(4)934 3047 E-mail ventura@e-zine.co.ne ISBN 0-9583594-3-1 © copyright 2000. First Impression 1998, revised 2000.