Product Description
The Supermarine Spitfire PR Type C `Heston Special` was a specially modified aircraft for photographic reconnaissance missions by the Royal Air Force in 1940-41. It was an early strategic reconnaissance aircraft based on the Spitfire fighter aircraft, equipped with a camera and with an extended range.
Export aircraft were modified at the Photographic Development Unit (PDU) at Heston Aerodrome in west London, where a reconnaissance version called the Heston Special was created.
The machine guns were removed and cameras were installed in the fuselage and wings (Type C camera arrangement). A drop tank was installed in one wing, extending the range to approximately 870 miles.
The wings have been modified to a special specification called the Type 353 D Wing.
First photo reconnaissance flight over Emden, Germany, 5 April 1940.
Codename: Operated under the registration number [LY-A], it was the precursor to the later full-scale reconnaissance aircraft such as the PR Mk.IV and PR Mk.XI.
Although it lost its defensive capabilities as a fighter, it was designed to utilize its speed and altitude to penetrate deep into enemy territory and bring back important photographic information.
( This is a machine translation. Please allow for possible misinterpretations in the text. )
Item Size/Weight : 33.2 x 20.1 x 5.1 cm / 306g
Product Specifications
- Item code
- PB72583
- JAN code
- 4544032920821
Purchase Information
This item is limited to 3 per household.