Into the gathering storm black and white version
by Gary Eason
Title
Into the gathering storm black and white version
Artist
Gary Eason
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Picture
Description
Early Mk I Supermarine Spitfires in RAF 'vic three' formation, 1939, climbing into a stormy sky.
The Spitfire entered service as a front line fighter in August 1938, the first 77 being powered by the Merlin II engine and a two-blade, wooden, fixed pitch propeller.
The striking Night and White paint scheme of the undersides went through a number of variations, but early on had this complex pattern of alternating mainplanes-fuselage-tailplanes, and ailerons. Underwing roundels had not yet been introduced.
The tight, V-shaped "vic" formation of three aircraft displayed considerable discipline and was designed to concentrate the fighters' firepower but was hopelessly impractical - pilots had to worry about not hitting each other, so could not keep a proper lookout. It was gradually abandoned after war broke out, though a pilot's survival might well depend on how quickly this happened in his squadron.
Uploaded
February 21st, 2013
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