Spitfire carrying beer kegs?!?

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by motto

I remember seeing a picture of a spitfire with beer kegs under the wings many years ago.

So do I David, and I've just realized where. I used to be an avid brewer and beer historian, and it's in one of my numerous books on the subject:

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Having dug up the reference it occurred to me the subject would be covered more thoroughly by beer enthusiasts than aircraft enthusiasts, so I did a quick search and found a comprehensive article with further pics here:

http://zythophile.wordpress.com/2014...s-in-normandy/

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[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

Loved the older Spitfire Ale Ads:

-Downed all over Kent, just like the Luftwaffe
-Not for Messrs Schmidt
-How to make a Sauerkraut. Mention the war

Just Google image search Spitfire Ale Ads.


In Spencer Dunmore's book Above and Beyond: The Canadians' War in the Air, 1939-45 (1996 McClelland and Stuart). It is related that in the "...days following the Normandy invasion..." Lloyd Berryman from 412 Sqn RCAF of 126 Wing was summoned by CO Keith Hodson to carry 90 gal "slipper tanks" full of beer to landing strip B-4 due to the thought the Germans had poisoned the water supply. Upon landing, under the gunfire of HMS Rodney, he and two other pilots were greeted by a Canadian soldier who dashed cautiously to Berryman's Spitfire.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Delivering Beer."

"The Jerries are sniping at us from there." (Church a 1/4 mile away)

The crackle of rifle fire confirmed the need "...to drop their tanks and clear out...at once."

regards
Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

More on the Beer/Spitfire combo in this youtube video:

"Strangest photos of World War II"

Henty & Constable Pale Ale and "Westerham Bitter" are mentioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofI7D2Faivw

regards
Darrell