Only a Spitfire could get away with wearing pink!
The Spitfire PR Mk XI low and fast.
Flying PR missions was not an easy occupation. Spitfire pilots often flew
missions lasting seven hours or more. The cramped cockpit was
uncomfortable although the introduction of heating and later in the war,
pressurization, relieved some of the discomfort.
Early PR Spitfires lacked radios and in later versions which did have radio
the pilot was expected to maintain radio silence throughout the flight.
The pilot of a high-flying Spitfire would keep constant watch on the rear
view mirror to make sure that a contrail would not betray his presence and
he also had to keep an eye out for enemy fighters trying to intercept him.
Without the help of another crew member a PR Spitfire pilot had to be a
good navigator once over the target to be photographed, a precise course
and altitude was set and maintained. Even a small deviation from straight
and level flight could mean that the cameras would miss a small target by
hundreds of yards.
Several different paint schemes were used by the early
photo-reconnaissance Spitfires until an overall "PRU Pink" was adopted
for the majority of PR aircraft from late 1941.
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