The Piper Grasshopper was a well established civil airplane at the outbreak of the war and was ideal for service as a reconnaissance plane. It had a wingspan of 35 feet and weighed a measly 553kg. It could take off from a very small runway and cruised at a maximum speed of 85mp and maximum ceiling of 9300 ft (with a crew of two).
The Grasshopper saw extensive service in Normandy but they were also used in North Africa and the Pacific.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssgX2tTtR33oVz8bMs9wu54xzT2BqzAjgzH_hiEijzSBP8ocM_eNj7eHee6yFdvFjxKnpoTMHZ8MRgr0U21TuLU8ToP6sXB313em_zr9QLcvdoqmQ-vmjKic9kpyI2Hre0azF04UrL88/s400/Grasshopper.jpg)
They did the spotter scenario last year...my favourite bit . These planes often get overlooked as the Spits & Mustangs are more glamourous but you had to be brave to fly those things at low level & unprotected in a war zone...I'm lucky to fly in a Piper Cub frequently and previously in an ex RAF Malaya Auster & they are great machines
ReplyDeleteNice clip. The liaison pilots were indeed a brave bunch and did a lot more than most people recognize! If anyone's interested, Google the Alamo Liaison Squadron and find a book called Box Seat Over Hell. It's a good read!
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