I was reading about the use of the Spitfire in the photo-reconnaissance role by both the RAF and USAAF. When it occured to me that I had never come across any reference to single-seat fighters being used in this role by the Luftwaffe.
Did in fact they use any stripped-down fighters in this role, and if not why not?
They would have been quite useful for popping over the English channel for a look-see during 1943-44

__________________
if in doubt....Panic!!!!

Bf109E-5 and E-6 were used during the Battle of Britain.
Recon versions of the Fw190 and the Ta152 were designated by the "E"
I don't know if either of these two planes ever saw service.
Of course, the Arado 234 (not single-engined.)

Correcto Knight, both the Fw 190 and Bf 109G variants had cameras equipped. The Bf 109 took over as it handled the higer altitudes better. During the Ost front battles the 109's only had the cowling mgs installed and yet several of the recon pilots were aces. One that I am familiar with lives on the East coast USA. Try to find some materials on him soon.....

Ah yes the Arado 234. Excellent a/c for this type of role and probably much better suited to this than as a bomber. In fact the See unit I have been researching, FAGr 5 was down-sized and the big heavy Ju 290's went to other units and 1 staffel was equipped with the Ar 234 during the last 3 months of the war.

E

I apoligize for not including this......only the fighter version of the Ta 152 entered service with JG 301. The H-0 and the H-1, and a few C's from Cottbus as the Soviets threatened the plant, the C's were removed for parts for the H models.

E

The somewhat obscure Ar240 was the only German plane designed specifically for high-speed reconnaisance work, I believe (2-seat.)
I cannot think of another model (1 or 2 seat) designed specifically (not a modified fighter) for this.

Another interesting point.

The RAF photo-reconnaissance was extremely efficient and played a vital role in (particularly) the war in Europe.

And yet one hears or reads very little of Luftwaffe activities in photo-recon. Was this another 'blind spot' along with aircraft carriers, the Me262 'fighter-bomber' etc etc ?

__________________
"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Martin you are up early or I am up late, whichever......you guys are both right. Really nothing known about the missions and the NAGr's are really overlooked. The standard for early war till mid 43 was the Bf 110 and the stripped down Ju 88H's that flew in the northern sphere.
When the Ar 234 came around it was the one bright spot but even with it's excellent track record it was too late for the depleted Wehrmacht to do anything with the information gained during the final months of the war.

E off for a few Zzzzzzzzzz

Fischer, Erwin

Only reconnaissance pilot to win RK with oakleaves.

191 Erwin Fischer 10-2-43 Hauptmann (LW) Staffelkapitaen 1./Fernaufkl.Gr 121


Got more on him,Erich? Or anyone else?



[ 14. August 2003, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: Kai-Petri ]

__________________

Kai :

I've got quite a bit on him and some other pilots flying the Ar 234......

will have to do some checking and get back on this

E

dang it ! I was thinking of Erich Sommer and his little band of recon Ar 234 boyz. Fischer I will have to do some digging for....

E