The “Zirkus Rosarius” was a special squadron within the WW2 Luftwaffe that tested captured airframes. Not only were there American types flown, but British types as well. The purpose of testing allied aircraft was to discover any strengths or vulnerabilities in their design or performance. This information was highly useful in enabling German service personnel to develop tactics designed to counter strengths and exploit any vulnerabilities. There were two Spitfires captured and flown, an LF Mk.IX and a PR Mk.XI. The link below, shows some photos these british fighters in Luftwaffe’s color and markings:
http://aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/spitfires-capturados.html
Hope you enjoy and I count on your visit!
By: Mr Merry - 8th April 2014 at 17:22
Just found a page about it, God bless Google:eagerness:
By: Mr Merry - 8th April 2014 at 17:10
That first one, is it a Photoshop?
By: snafu - 8th April 2014 at 14:05
The “Zirkus Rosarius” wwitas a special squadron within the WW2 Luftwaffe that tested captured airframes.
But Rosarius was not the only unit flying Spitfires within the German system and there were more than two captured Spitfires flying for them anyway – the link you gave has at least five different aircraft (EN830, a Spitfire Vb converted to use a DB605 engine, is there three times as CJ+ZY and wouldn’t have been a part of the Zirkus).
There were lots of Spitfires captured through engine problems or battle damage and the best place to see and find information on them is http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/, but the subject has been covered here before – http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?60343-Spitfires-in-WWII-Germany
By: stuart gowans - 8th April 2014 at 10:54
Some German graffiti from a repatriated spitfire cowling, supposidly used in the above special squadron; however I can’t find any trace of paint other than the dark green it was supplied in.
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April 8, 2014 at 10:03 am