pararaftanr2 Posted June 5, 2016 Author #26 Posted June 5, 2016 As found, his RAF C helmet was rigged with RAF ear phones, using the cord from a US ANB-H-1 headset. To do so, because the cord is shorter between the phones than the RAF type, the rubber mountings were modified to accommodate them.
pararaftanr2 Posted June 5, 2016 Author #27 Posted June 5, 2016 As previously mentioned, the US made T-44-A microphone was produced to be compatible with British radios, as found on VCS-7's Spitfires, and fitted in some USAAF fighters as well. The example shown below is made by Western Electric Co., as is the one in Hammersmith's A-14.
pararaftanr2 Posted June 6, 2016 Author #28 Posted June 6, 2016 Texas, Nevada and Arkansas, off the French coast on D-Day.
jerry_k Posted June 6, 2016 #29 Posted June 6, 2016 Cool! Paul will You plan to put some new articles on your site? Very soon will be one year without any news:( Cheers, Jerry
bazelot Posted June 6, 2016 #32 Posted June 6, 2016 Hi Tom, You know something I don't? Yes, I strongly think you want to sell it to me
pararaftanr2 Posted June 6, 2016 Author #33 Posted June 6, 2016 Ah, the old Jedi mind trick again! Think I'll be holding on to it for the foreseeable future though, thanks.
bazelot Posted June 6, 2016 #34 Posted June 6, 2016 No worries. I actually have to cool down my purchases for a bit...
pararaftanr2 Posted June 6, 2017 Author #35 Posted June 6, 2017 Bumped to the top for the 73rd Anniversary. Thanks to Dustin's efforts at the National Archives, here are two more images of VCS-7 in England. First is some of the pilots getting a lesson in the game of cricket from a FAA officer (far right). Hammersmith is seated on the backrest of the bench with hands folded. Note that he, and several others, wear their RAF 1943 escape boots. Next is a Fleet Air Arm fitter from the Air Spotting Pool, assisting one of the 40 U.S. Navy ground crewmen assigned to VCS-7 (Louis W. Orsie AMM 3c) with something on a Pool Mk-Vb Spitfire. Note the invasion stripes on wing and fuselage.
pararaftanr2 Posted June 6, 2017 Author #36 Posted June 6, 2017 This photo was shown previously here, but now the pilots can be identified. From left to right, Lt. (jg) R. E. Doyle, Ens. J. F. Mudge and Lt. (jg) P.G. Hill.
pararaftanr2 Posted June 5, 2018 Author #40 Posted June 5, 2018 Bumped to the top to commemorate tomorrow's 74th anniversary of D-Day. Part 2 of the VCS-7 article was added to the web site recently. Please visit for some previously unpublished photos of the Navy Spitfires and their pilots: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_185.html
Government Issue Posted June 5, 2018 #42 Posted June 5, 2018 From a Kingfisher to a Spit, I'd call that a definitive upgrade.
pararaftanr2 Posted June 5, 2018 Author #43 Posted June 5, 2018 A related post from earlier today: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/311169-vcs-7-usn-d-day-display/&do=findComment&comment=2500698
bobgee Posted June 6, 2018 #45 Posted June 6, 2018 A great bit of history well told. New to me. Super gear! Bobgee
pararaftanr2 Posted June 6, 2018 Author #47 Posted June 6, 2018 Bob and Jonathan, thank you for your interest.
pararaftanr2 Posted June 6, 2018 Author #48 Posted June 6, 2018 Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting on this. It's an honor to be the caretaker of this little bit of history.
_Will_ Posted July 22, 2018 #49 Posted July 22, 2018 Great history and grouping! Photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing it with us.
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