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Old 11th June 2008, 10:02
Graham Boak Graham Boak is offline
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Re: J.E. Johnson question

The Big Show is a wonderful read but not entirely a historically reliable document. Part of the difference would be that the Spitfire Mk.14 was a high-altitude fighter often on escort duties and the Tempest better at low-level. Part of it just plain chance.

It is worth pointing out that only six pilots claimed five or more kills with Griffon Spitfires (source, the new Osprey). The top scorer was Harries, but half of his claims were on the Mk.XII. This does suggest that chances for combat were extremely limited for the Mk.14, despite its undoubted capabilities.
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