1940s Aviation · Aviation History · Aviation Humor · Britain · D-Day · RAF · Spitfire · WWII · Apr 02, 2025

Modification XXX

In WW2, RAF Spitfire pilots, in a demonstration of sheer ingenuity, came up with an idea for boosting the morale of the Allied ground troops.

During the war, the Heneger and Constable breweries donated free beer to all servicemen. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments.

RAF Spitfire beer bomb modification — wing pylon adapted to carry beer kegs instead of bombs for Allied troop delivery - WWII

The Spitfire Mk IX was equipped with pylons under the wings for bombs or tanks. The Spitfire crews discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unclear. The high altitude cruise of the Mk IX allowed for in-flight cooling of the external load, and after landing, the beer was already cold and fit for consumption.

RAF ground crew loading beer kegs onto Spitfire Mk IX wing pylons — Modification XXX official code name for WWII beer delivery missions to Allied troops in France 1944

The official designation for this series of missions was code-named Modification XXX. In later variations, a long-range fuel tank was modified to carry beer instead of fuel. And so concludes another amazing aviation tale from Sierra Hotel Aeronautics…

The clouds may float across the sky,
The bee may kiss the butterfly,
The sparkling wine may kiss the glass,

and you my friend. ...Farewell.