Spitfire ML295 Gun Camera Footage

What follows are two short clips from the gun camera of Spitfire ML295 taken in 1944, then footage from wingmen during the mission the Spitfire was shot down, and finally some of the Spitfire’s pilots making recorded kills against enemy aircraft.
All the clips were found with the help of the Imperial War Museum, who were paid to have these original reels digitised and licensed, so that we can share them with you.
Spitfire ML295 was part of 411 Squadron of the RCAF, and flew on 67 sorties from 2nd June 1944 to 30th July 1944. 11 pilots from the Squadron flew missions in the aircraft, which included air-to-air combat, close air support and dive-bombing.
To learn more about my company that creates bespoke, British-made timepieces, using parts from Spitfire ML295, please visit;
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[@warbirdskies]

I have been involved in accessioning RAF Gun Camera film for the IWM (at Duxford) since 2006, which includes the footage here. Nice to see it getting used. 👍 Considering that the film (16mm) has been in storage for so long it is not in too bad a condition. There is still quite a bit to get through - I used to view the actual film on Steenbeck flatbed editing tables but now with those being 'retired' it is scanned to a digital file for viewing, which should speed up any access requests for a particular film. I also helped identify gun camera film for another 411 Sqn RCAF Spitfire NH431 DB•E "Elizabeth".

[@GBWCo]

It must be fascinating to uncover and to view some of the footage for the first time in almost 80 years. Spitfire Elizabeth shared many of the same pilots as ML295 - Tommy Wheeler in this footage was one.

[@warbirdskies]

@@GBWCo My 'research' certainly helped Nick Oram in writing his book on those pilots. I was also privileged to meet F/Lt Tony Cooper of 64 Sqn, through Terry Arlow of "Simply Spitfire", and sit with him in his home as he viewed his gun film from 1944. It has certainly been a rewarding project in many ways.

[@daleyhanson5889]

What an Honor that had to be, those brave pilots will never die and thier sacrifice is not to be forgotten. I became infatuated with the Spitfire around 1963 and loved to read about them and build plastic models, I presented it as my Science project in 7th grade and my teacher allowed it only for its dynamics (wing design,etc) and gave me an 85% score Lol ! Thank You so much,,

[@martyn6792]

Brilliant to watch a piece of history so many years after it happened

[@andrewchamberlain6193]

Great footage and a valuable record for all, thank you

[@GBWCo]

Thanks Andrew

[@cello64]

Fascinating! Great work digging those out!!!

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

There must be a lot of gun camera footage kicking around that has never been seen by the public.

[@GBWCo]

Yes, there are 10,000s of hours of unseen footage, most of it undigitised. The film stock degrades over time and so it is all at risk of being lost for good.

[@chiefbigtoe7260]

I know a lot of Luftwaffe cam footage was burned ,lots of never seen before gone forever

[@alanjm1234]

​@@GBWCoit's shameful. For some pilots this footage is their memorial. It shouldn't be left to rot.

[@donaldfifer605]

Does anyone realize this why we have the countries we have…..history bless who didn’t make it the rest of us are eternally grateful !!!

[@SkinPeeleR]

Looks like the camera manifacturer nowadays makes camera's used to film ufo's.

[@daleyhanson5889]

I have heard the 411 Squadron mentioned many times while watching hundreds of documentaries for the last 20 odd years. They seemed to be called out alot,?

[@GBWCo]

They were one of the most successful Spitfire squadrons in the war, and are a great example of the results you can get if you train your pilots well and give them the best aircraft.

[@PenDragonsPig]

How many kills did the plane take and how many pilots outlived the plane?

[@GBWCo]

Spitfire ML295 only has credit for damaging a FW190, not for any kills. All 11 of the pilots who flew in the Spitfire outlived the aircraft, and 10 of the pilots survived the war. The only pilot who died in the war was Leonard Dunn, who is featured in one of the clips; he volunteered for a second tour and was killed 3 weeks before the war ended when he shot up a fuel train that exploded taking his Spitfire with it.

[@ekspatriat]

So if its restored how come its a 2 seater or is it not original?

[@GBWCo]

During the restoration of the aircraft it was converted into a 2-seater. This involves removing a fuel tank and adding in a second cockpit, and allows for passengers to be taken on flights - or used as a training aircraft.

[@mirrorblue100]

Bet the bloody Jerries had better cameras.

[@michaelleblanc7283]

For anyone interest F/O Harold Kramer's evasion report at KEW (free down-load) is WWEF 2/263/1052 (F).