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Donald James Mathew Blakeslee
Victories : 15.5
Joining the RAF in 1940 Don Blakeslee flew Spitfires with 401 Squadron. When the Eagle Squadron were formed he transferred as an experienced flight commander with several victories to his credit. An aggressive and fearless fighter pilot, Blakeslee was promoted to lead 133 Squadron, and was described as the best fighter leader the war produced. Already an Ace, he transferred to the USAAF 4th Fighter Group. By the war end he had over four years of continuous combat flying, and 14.5 air victories to his credit. Colonel Don Blakeslee sadly passed away on 3rd September 2008. |
Click here for artwork signed by this Ace!
Donald James Mathew Blakeslee
Squadrons for : Donald James Mathew Blakeslee | ||
A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Donald James Mathew Blakeslee. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name. | ||
Squadron | Info | |
Country : US Yoxford Boys Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 336th Fighter Squadron | 336th Fighter Squadron Full profile not yet available. | |
Country : US The Eagles. Stationed at Debden. Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 4th Fighter Group | 4th Fighter Group The Eagles. Stationed at Debden. | |
Country : UK Founded : 1st March 1918 Fate : Disbanded 29th September 1942 Eagle Let us to the battle | No.133 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
Country : Canada Founded : 1st March 1941 Fate : Disbanded 10th July 1945 Ram Mors cellerima hostibus - Very swift death to the enemy | No.401 Sqn RCAF Full profile not yet available. |
Aircraft for : Donald James Mathew Blakeslee | |||
A list of all aircraft associated with Donald James Mathew Blakeslee. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | |||
Squadron | Info | ||
Manufacturer : Supermarine Production Began : 1936 Retired : 1948 Number Built : 20351 | Spitfire Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954. |
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