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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

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Old 6th October 2020, 23:58
Larry Larry is offline
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Spitfire in Service - First and the Last in WW2

It is claimed that the Spitfire was the only RAF or Allied fighter that was in front line service right through WW2, all be it with modifications to its engine and airframe. Is this factually correct or were there others?

Surely, the Hurricane came close but I have not found a definitive end date.
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Old 7th October 2020, 00:08
Zoran Petek Zoran Petek is offline
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Re: Spitfire in Service - First and the Last in WW2

Huricane was in frontline service also.
For example LB772 was in Palestine 46, first "silver" Hurricane of 6 Sqn, 11.5.46.
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Old 7th October 2020, 00:22
Graham Boak Graham Boak is offline
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Re: Spitfire in Service - First and the Last in WW2

In fairness however, the Hurricane was not then employed as a fighter, but as a dedicated ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft.
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Old 7th October 2020, 00:32
SteveR SteveR is offline
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Re: Spitfire in Service - First and the Last in WW2

How about the Wildcat?

F4F-3 in service on USS Enterprise the day the U.S. got in the war, FM-2s in service on escort carriers the day the war ended.
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Old 7th October 2020, 08:44
MW Giles MW Giles is offline
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Re: Spitfire in Service - First and the Last in WW2

Have to define your dates, if you use Dec 41 as the start date quite a few a/c get in

01/09/39 to 02/09/45 would seem to be it

Dewoitine D.520 narrowly misses the start date, but used against Atlantic Pockets in 44/45
F4F Wildcat also misses as did not enter service until 1940
Hurricane yes
Spitfire yes

Cannot think of another Allied ac, but

Bf109 for Germany (until 5/45).
Also Bf110?

Russia - cannot think of anything
Finns are bound to have something odd that went on forever

Last edited by MW Giles; 7th October 2020 at 11:07.
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