72modeler Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 (edited) I had to post this one! Photo shows what I think is one of the Spitfires that was flown off of the USS Wasp to Malta during Operation Bowery. IIRC, one of the Mk Vc's launched had its slipper tank refuse to feed, so not being able to reach Malta on internal fuel, he elected to land back aboard after all the other aircraft had launched successfully. No arrestor hook and no previous carrier landing experience. I think he was Canadian, to boot! 'Winkle' Brown would have been proud of him, methinks! Photo via Asisbiz. Mike https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/Malta/pages/Spitfire-MkVbTrop-RCAF-PO-Jerry-Smith-lands-aboard-USS-Wasp-of-Malta-1942-01.html Edited April 13, 2020 by 72modeler edited text 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 He did indeed, but it was a Mk.Vc. Another pilot landed a Spitfire on HMS Indomitable during Pedestal, but it was severely damaged in an attack before any of the FAA pilots had a chance to try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 13, 2020 Author Share Posted April 13, 2020 Thanks for the correction, Graham- I have edited my original post to reflect the correct information. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimea River Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 2 hours ago, 72modeler said: I had to post this one! Photo shows what I think is one of the Spitfires that was flown off of the USS Wasp to Malta during Operation Bowery. IIRC, one of the Mk Vc's launched had its slipper tank refuse to feed, so not being able to reach Malta on internal fuel, he elected to land back aboard after all the other aircraft had launched successfully. No arrestor hook and no previous carrier landing experience. I think he was Canadian, to boot! 'Winkle' Brown would have been proud of him, methinks! Photo via Asisbiz. Mike https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/Malta/pages/Spitfire-MkVbTrop-RCAF-PO-Jerry-Smith-lands-aboard-USS-Wasp-of-Malta-1942-01.html So the fact that he was Canadian made this even more amazing because.......? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJP Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Crimea River said: So the fact that he was Canadian made this even more amazing because.......? Dunno what you read into my statement, but my thinking at the time I posted the photo was an RAF Spitfire flown off of a USN aircraft carrier by a Canadian pilot was pretty unusual and neat. Mike Edited April 14, 2020 by 72modeler corrected spelling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsmekanik Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, 72modeler said: I think he was Canadian, to boot! Kinda comes across like you think it's amazing a Canadian did something amazing, which kinda amazes a Canadian that you would think that, since, as Canadians, we know we do things all the time that you might think are amazing. Edited April 14, 2020 by nsmekanik 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fubar57 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) Good stuff. Sadly, he was KIA a few months later. A few more photos here...https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1533293 Edited April 14, 2020 by fubar57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 Well, you are certainly free to comment upon what you think or perceived I meant, but that was not my intention and anybody here on BM who knows me or has read my posts can attest to my having no biases whatsoever where nationality is concerned. I am a little puzzled by your comments, which kinda come across to me to be a little severe with no real justification. Mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsmekanik Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 I guess I should have added "nudge nudge wink wink" not taking this at all to seriously then....... so in good ole Canuck tradition........I'm sorry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 48 minutes ago, nsmekanik said: I guess I should have added "nudge nudge wink wink" not taking this at all to seriously then....... so in good ole Canuck tradition........I'm sorry Beauty, eh? Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie22 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 And you also learn something new everyday. If you scroll down to the info section you will see that Supermarine was located on Long Island, New York. Must be correct - it's on the internet!! Peter M 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimea River Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 No worries Mike. I wasn't trying to make a big deal of it, just wondering where you were coming from. And now for my breakfast of maple syrup and bacon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 Damn! Real maple syrup and real 'Canadian' bacon? I can smell it from here! Add three eggs over easy, and I'll be on the next flight to Alberta as soon as this d--- pandemic is history! (I can also make a side trip to Calgary to see one of my college classmates that I haven't seen in ages!) Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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