In 1939, Sidney Cotton and Flying Officer Maurice Longbottom of the RAF suggested that airborne reconnaissance may be a task better suited to fast, small aircraft which would use their speed and high service ceiling to avoid detection and interception. They proposed the use of Spitfires with their armament and radios removed and replaced with extra fuel and cameras. This led to the development of the Spitfire PR variants. These planes had a maximum speed of 396 mph at 30,000 feet with their armaments removed, and were used for photo-reconnaissance missions. The aircraft were fitted with five cameras which were heated to ensure good results.
In 1939 Sidney Cotton and Flying Officer Maurice Longbottom of the RAF suggested that airborne reconnaissance may be a task better suited to fast small aircraft which would use their speed and high service ceiling to avoid detection and interception They proposed the use of Spitfires with their armament and radios removed and replaced with extra fuel and cameras This led to the development of the Spitfire PR variants These planes had a maximum speed of 396 mph at 30000 feet with their armaments removed and were used for photo-reconnaissance missions The aircraft were fitted with five cameras which were heated to ensure good results