• Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning old domain name stealing credentials

  • Special Server Maintenance

    Just when you think you have everything running some what better...

    You get a message from the Hosting company. Short story they need to move us to a new server. I have been working with them to plan a good date for all concerned. Here is what we have come up with as a schedule.

    1. November 4th 17:00 -5UTC shut off the forums and start backup proceedures. During this time there will be no access to the forums or the Resource Section.
    2. November 5th Continue with Backups and download same until complete.
    3. November 6th 7:00 turn over server to hosting company to move system to new server
    4. November 7th - 8th restore backups and upgrade forum software.

    If all goes well we should be back online on November 8th.

    To keep you updated we will post updates on AVSIM forums.

    Thank you for your support.

High Flying Spitfires

jankees

jankees

SOH-CM-2026




Spitfire IXc MA504, which was one of three Mk IX Spitfires that was converted for high altitude interceptions by No 10 and 41 squadrons SAAF, while based at St Jean and Idku, Egypt. The other two aircraft were MA792 and MH946. They were stripped of paint and machine guns, and all other equipment that was not deemed necessary to reach high flying Junkers JU-86 bombers that flew in excess of 40.000 ft. MA504 is reported to have reached 47.000 ft with wing commander Dereck 'Bill' Kain at the helm during a test flight. After a successful interception of a Junkers, the Germans stopped the high altitude flights.





Spitfire IXc BS273 was one of the Spitfires modified for high altitude interceptions, based at Northolt, 1942, and regularly flown by F/O Prince Emanuel Galtzine. The prince was a Russian immigrant, a great grandson of Tsar Paul 1. After the Russian revolution, his family fled Russia, ending up in England. He wanted to fly, and when the Russian attacked Finland, he decided to join the Finnish Air Force. However, on hearing his mother was killed in the London blitz, he returned to the UK (via the US and Canada) and joined the RAF, becoming a Spitfire pilot with the Special Service Flight in Northolt. On 12 September 1942, he intercepted a JU-86 above Southampton at 41.000ft and attacked it. The battle went up to 43.000 ft, and was the highest recorded air battle of WWII. His spitfire only had two cannons, and one of them was frozen solid, giving a very unbalanced flight while shooting, combined with excessive vapor trails of his ammunition. It is believe he managed to hit the German aircraft, but in the end it got away safely. However, since the Germans now knew they could be intercepted, they launched no more high altitude attacks on the UK.
 
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