Allied observation planes?

[Vulture]

Since we are getting the FW-189 Uhu and already have the Po-2, would you consider adding other light planes like the Fieseler Storch (which was used by both the Luftwaffe and by the allies with captured planes), the Piper L-4 Cub for army cooperation (with a .45 pistol as armament!), or even a Tiger Moth, Stearman, and Bucker Jungmann/Jungmeister, for trainer/liason flying?

Cheers

[MDzmitry]

Currently there is Spitfire Mk.V used in Normandy for recon and fire correction. At least that's what I remember.

[Stonehouse]

Spitfire IXs were common PRU reconnaissance aircraft as well around 1944. I think I recall later model P38s were also used by the USAAF. Mosquitos were used too but a different model to what we have. Coastal Command had their own PRU reconnaissance units, but I don't think we have any of their aircraft. 

Edited March 25 by Stonehouse
shouldn't have said PRU

[MDzmitry]

18.03.2026 в 07:43, Stonehouse сказал:

Spitfire IXs were common PRU aircraft as well around 1944. I think I recall later model P38s were also used by the USAAF. Mosquitos were used too but a different model to what we have. Coastal Command had their own PRU units but I don't think we have any of their aircraft. 

Wasn't it Spitfire XIs instead of IXs?

XI had a specific wing structure with no armament and the forward D-shaped section turned into a fuel tank. Also. A different cockpit with no armored glass forward and more oil ("thicker" looking nose because of it)

[Stonehouse]

6 hours ago, MDzmitry said:

Wasn't it Spitfire XIs instead of IXs?

XI had a specific wing structure with no armament and the forward D-shaped section turned into a fuel tank. Also. A different cockpit with no armored glass forward and more oil ("thicker" looking nose because of it)

They still used IXs for recce. Just like they used V's. They were just normal Spits with maybe some guns removed. For eg 91 Sqd used Vbs with outer guns removed and no cameras and flew single aircraft from opposite Dover to Cherbourg and west towards the Belgium border nearly every day doing weather recce and harbour and coastal recces for most of 1942/1943. Basically, the pilot just counted ships in harbours while dodging flak and fighters. It would have been a very lonely time. 91 changed to the XII in late 1943. It then changed back to IXs and returned to doing mostly normal fighter sweeps. You're right though that there were specialised units using specialised Spitfires that were purpose built. I guess just not all reconnaissance was done with a camera and there was probably more work than units at times.

 

<edit> realised I had been sloppy in my earlier response. I said PRU (ie photo reconnaissance unit) when I should have just said reconnaissance.

Edited March 25 by Stonehouse

[Calos_01]

On 3/25/2026 at 6:39 AM, MDzmitry said:

Wasn't it Spitfire XIs instead of IXs?

The FR Mk IX variant existed, standard armament, one camera facing to the port, painted pink.