I’m thinking of doing a novel about photo-reconnaissance missions, focusing on a fictitious RAF PR unit flying over Germany (tangling with all kinds of nasties like the Me163, perhaps??).
If anyone can recommend a good book about the sorties/aircraft/pilots, I’d be very grateful.
(I already have “Spitfire in Blue” by Hugh Smallwood, so that’s a start!)
Cheers
By: JDK - 12th November 2003 at 23:17
Hi Daz,
Just been reminded the following two books are coming out. They’ll be great for pics and facts:
Classic Warbird Series No. 10
By; Wojtek Matusiak.
‘Merlin PR Spitfires Pt 1’
ISBN O-9582296-2-7
The development and operational history of the Merlin engine Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire. Coverage is of their camouflage and markings includes wartime use by RAF and USAAF squadrons, plus post war operators around the world.
Classic Warbird Series No. 11
By; Malcolm Laird and Wojtek Matusiak.
‘Merlin PR Spitfires Pt 2’
ISBN O-9582296-5-1
Published; 2003
The interior details of the Merlin engine Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire are covered with detail photos, maintenance manual drawings and newly scale drawings produced specifically for this book. Additional colour scheme illustrations are included with modellers and aviation enthusiasts in mind.
I think they will be 2004 at the moment, but check the website
http://www.venturapublications.com
Cheers
By: DazDaMan - 12th November 2003 at 22:51
Ian,
That’d be superb, thanks 🙂
Once I’ve figured out what the novel will be about (besides taking lots of photos from aeroplanes) I’ll let you know when I need them, is this OK?
Daz
By: RadarArchive - 12th November 2003 at 22:45
Daz,
I have a copy of Eyes of the RAF, if you want to borrow it sometime. I also have Evidence in Camera by Constance Babington-Smith about photo-interpretation whcih may be of interest. A third book I have is a general large-format history whcih provides some useful background details, Allied Photo REconnaissance in World War II.
Let me know if you’d like to have a look at any of these books.
By: DazDaMan - 12th November 2003 at 22:07
Hi JDK
Thanks for those – I’ll try and have a look for them.
The novel’s only an idea at the moment, though. I’m still ploughing on with my Battle of Britain novel!!
Daz
By: JDK - 12th November 2003 at 20:50
Hi Daz,
Try “Eyes of the RAF – A history of Photo-Reconnaissance” by Roy Conyers Nesbit, Sutton, 0750917296, 1996 pbk; or “Above All Unseen – The RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Units 1939 – 1945” Edward Leaf, PSL, 1852605286, 1997 hbk.
Theres also a biog of Sidney Cotton who started it all, and of whom truth was certainly stranger than fiction, but he was kicked out by the establishment after the first year or so – too ‘unconventional’. He’d be a bit early for your plan, but ‘Shorty’ Longbottom and co would bear examination with their early PR converted Spitfire flights etc.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
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November 12, 2003 at 6:49 pm