Francisco Miranda – BLOG

This is a rare and superb clear color shot of RAF Air Vice-Marshall Leigh-Mallory’s personal liason Hawker Hurricane, visiting the 7th Photo Recon’ Group in 1943. Being one of the main sources of Allied photo intelligence. it would be reasonable to believe this visit was of strategic importance to RAF Bomber & Fighter Command. In addition, the P-38H (or F-5B) seen parked in the background was found to be quite substandard for the role, and negotiations with the RAF top flight were finalised to ensure the delivery of 12 new RAF Spitfire Xi’s for the role. As only one facility England had just starting producing these aircraft at around the time this picture would have been taken, the Spitfires in question were precious indeed!….Was that the reason ! for this special visit? In any case, it is an attractive image of significant historical interest.