The Anonymous Widower

How Internet Rumours Start

I was looking down the list of flying exhibits at Duxford today and noticed that the Royal Netherlands Air Force were flying in their Spitfire. So I was curious as to how they acquired their plane and searched the Internet. I found the details on this page at the Spitfire Society.

But there is also this interesting bit on the page under a heading of Dissimilar Combat Exercises.

In 1963 it was thought that the English Electric Lightning might have to be used against P-51 Mustangs in Indonesia, and the Mk XIX PM631 of the BBMF was diverted to Central Fighter Establishment Binbrook to provide an opponent similar to the Mustangs in a dissimilar combat exercise. During this exercise it developed engine troubles, and PS853, which while being a Gate Guardian at CFE Binbrook had also been maintained in flying condition on the orders of the Station CO, took over the role.

Has anyone any information on the story that in the simulator, a Spitfire armed with Sidewinders has a fair chance against a Tornado?

The question has to be asked, as to why need all the expensive military hardware, politicians and those in the armed forces, say we need.

But how many people would take the last part of the extract and believe it to be the truth?

September 5, 2010 - Posted by AnonW | World | Aircraft, Second World War