SPITTING FIRE - SPITFIRE MK V
by Andy Wenner
In Sept 1942 the American volunteers known as the Eagle Squadron were transferred to the USAAF becoming the 4th fighter group, their spitfires quickly repainted with American markings. They were later equipped with the P-47 in Jan 1943 and then the P-51 in March 1944. Depicted is 4th FG legend, Don Gentile flying a Spit Mk V in 1942. The 4th FG is the top scoring American Fighter Group of WW2 with 1,016 enemy aircraft destroyed. Don Gentile is the top ace of the 4th FG and is credited with 21 victories.