The blue Spitfire

A Spitfire Mark XI of No. 683 Squadron in the blue camouflage of all Photo Reconnaissance aircraft. A photographic reconnaissance wing was based at San Severo north of Foggia. Here, as with the entire photo-reconnaissance command it was very much a British-United States joint operation. The Americans used Lightnings and the British squadrons used Mosquitos and Spitfires. All aircraft were painted this rather unusual blue. In this sketch an airman is seen removing one of the big aerial cameras from its compartment behind the pilot's cockpit. During the course of the Allied campaign in Italy No. 683 Squadron, RAF, formed part of a combined British-American photographic reconnaissance wing based at San Severo. All aircraft engaged in photographic reconnaissance in the theatre were camouflaged in blue. In the case of the Spitfire the aerial camera was installed in a special compartment behind the pilot, who operated it by remote control. Some Australians served as pilots in No. 683 Squadron and became specialists at the work.