[taildraggernut]

interesting account.....

During the Battle of Britain, I often used spins to save my life. I can think of at least four times when
this simple but dramatic manoeuvre of pretending to be shot down came in handy. I used it when I was
attacked by German fighters and had no chance to fight successfully> I usually started with a snap roll,
which culminated in a vertical stabilized spin. I would quickly close and open the throttle, producing
black smoke from the engine exhaust.
To German pilots, a spin was an indication that the Spitfire was out of control. Black smoke confirmed
that the aircraft had been shot down. Why follow and confirm the crash if it meant losing height over
enemy territory? Better to claim one Spitfire shot down!
Evidence after the war indicates that German fighters claimed the destruction of three times more RAF
aircraft than actual RAF losses in combat. So I was spinning happily, recovering at 5,000 feet or so,
and if there was enough gas and ammunition, I would climb again in search of better fighting
opportunities.
One might wonder why anyone would use this manoeuvre. There were situations, especially in the
Battle of Britain, where we were so outnumbered that the Spitfire had no chance. The manoeuvrability
of the Spitfire was so superior to the Me 109 that in a dogfight I considered two or even three Me 109s
equal opponents.

http://www.609wrsquadron.co.uk/Archi...Zurakowski.pdf

Oh but it's another one of those bloody pilots telling stories again....what do they know..