It's rather unlikely that the gyro gun sight would have been fitted that early; the Local Technical Committee were still discussing it on July 11th., and we all know how quickly committees work. The RAF list it as appearing 24-7-44, adding that it was "Special Orders Only," and needed a CWP (contractor's working party) to do the work. It was mandatory that the low-back XVI & F.R.XIV should have the sight, which had to be fitted before the fuselage tank was installed, so they might have had priority for the GGS, but paperwork is delightfully (and typically) vague on that point. Personally, I doubt that a mid-1944 airframe would have had the GGS, but senior officers were renowned for pulling strings; sorry to be so imprecise.
Edgar
Hi Chris,
I am sorry to say in this instance Edgar is wrong regarding the usage of the Ferranti Gyroscopic Gun Sight G.G.S. Mk.IID, despite this having been proven already in a previous discussion. The following below from some of my research should clarify this once and for all.
There is some film footage in the collection of British Pathé, as well as a number of photographs captured by Flying Officer (F/O) A. Goodchild, that are held in the collection of the Imperial War Museum (IWM). That show various 442 and 443 Squadron (Sqn.) Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Spitfire LF Mk.IXc aircraft all equipped with the G.G.S. Mk.IID sight in June of 1944. The before mentioned still and moving images were captured on Saturday, June 10, 1944 at the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) British Strip No. 3 at Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer, Normandy.
Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.IXc aircraft identified in photographs with Gyro Sights at Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer on 10 June 1944 are listed below;
MK772 Y2-P 442 Sqn. RCAF
Y2-V 442 Sqn. RCAF
Y2-X 442 Sqn. RCAF
MH370 2I-N 443 Sqn. RCAF
Note: Other Spitfires are also seen with Gyro Sights as the above listed aircraft at the same location and date, unfortunately however I have been unable to establish their individual aircraft identities to date.
In addition to the material above, there are also images captured by Flight Lieutenant (F/Lt) B. J. Daventry at ALG British Strip No. 2 at Bazenville, Normandy 13 August 1944.That show various 421 Sqn. RCAF Spitfire LF Mk.IXc aircraft equipped with the G.G.S. Mk.IID as well. There is also an image captured by Pilot Officer P/O R. R. Broom of someone operating the Gyro Sight on a 127 Wing Spitfire Mk.IX on 17 August 1944, that was also at ALG British Strip No. 2 at Bazenville, Normandy.
The Operations Record Book (ORB) of 421 Sqn RCAF records that the squadron was made temporarily Non-Operational for the installation of the new G.G.S. Mk.II into its aircraft on the 21st of April 1944. Later on the 23rd of April the 421 Sqn. ORB states that "Everyone well pleased with new G.G.S. Mk. II".
Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.IXc aircraft identified in photographs with Gyro Sights at Bazenville 13 August 1944 are listed below;
MJ820 AU- 421 Sqn. RCAF
Note: Other Spitfires are also seen with Gyro Sights as the above listed aircraft at the same location and date, unfortunately however I have been unable to establish their individual aircraft identities to date.
In summary it is fair to say that on examination of the available evidence, Spitfires of 144 and 127 Wings were using Gyro Sights from circa May-June 1944 onwards. It is also highly likely that the Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MK636 2I-E of 443 Sqn. was fitted with the G.G.S. Mk.IID as well.
Bibliography
British Pathé (Video Newsreel Film)
UN 0877 A / 1969.01 Making Airfield - Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer - 10 June 1944.
Imperial War Museum Images
CL 76
CL 87
CL 88
CL 95
CL 99
CL 782
CL 854
HU 92137
HU 92139
The National Archives, Kew
AIR 27/1828 No. 421 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) Operations Record Book
AIR 27/1881 No. 441 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) Operations Record Book
AIR 27/1882 No. 442 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) Operations Record Book
AIR 27/1883 No. 443 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) Operations Record Book
Books
Carter, Ian. Fighter Command: 1939-45, Photographs from the Imperial War Museum, Ian Allan, Hersham, 2002.
Shores, Christopher. Thomas, Chris. 2nd Tactical Air Force: Volume One, Spartan to Normandy, June 1943 to June 1944, Classic, Hersham, 2004.
Shores, Christopher. Thomas, Chris. 2nd Tactical Air Force: Volume Two, Breakout to Bodenplatte, July 1944 to January 1945, Classic, Hersham, 2005.
Price, Alfred. Dr. Late Marque, Spitfire Aces 1942-45, Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 5, Osprey, London, 1995.
I hope the above was of some help to you.
Cheers,
Daniel.
