Tex Adams, or Spitfire, was an American pilot active during World War II, often assisting the English Eagle Squadron and American Volunteer Squadron in Burma.
History
Adams worked as a test pilot, flying new and experimental planes intended for military use. After testing a new pursuit plane (which caught fire and would have crashed if not for Adams' skill), he announced that he would move on to "ferry new planes to Canada."[1]
Stopping at a Cleveland airstrip on his way to Montreal, Adams was reunited with an old friend, radio operator Chuck Bolton. They were assigned a bomber to fly to Canada, but ended up captured by Captain Schloss and his enemy agents intending to steal the plane. Adams and Bolton escaped with the help of other captured pilots and down the fleeing Captain Schloss, earning him the name "Spitfire" from Bolton.[2] Adams and Bolton uncovered another enemy agent sabotaging planes at the Montreal airstrip.[3]
Eagle Squadron
After battling a Nazi warship while delivering the bombers to England with Bolton,[4] Spitfire met the Eagle Squadron and ventured on patrols with them, including pilots like James Lawrence. While on a routine flight, Spitfire found himself a prisoner of war aboard a captured British ship under the command of the rather cordial German Captain. He managed to escape with some quick thinking, however. [5]
Spitfire and Bolton assisted the Eagle Squadron on several missions. They were granted a transfer to join American pilots, but on the return flight, Spitfire and Bolton were taken hostage by Duchess, a Nazi spy based out of France. They managed to outwit her and arrive safely.[6] Spitfire rejoined his former flight mates including Clipper Davis, but the reunion was short lived as they were attacked by enemy Japanese planes.[7]
Spitfire and Bolton join the war in the Pacific, defending Pacific islands and flying out of Australian bases.[8] In one mission, Spitfire was tasked with transporting medical supplies to Chinese troops. However, enemy planes spotted his aircraft and attempted to bring him down. Spitfire managed to outmaneuver them and meet with the troop leader, Tung Ting.[9]
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
- Aviation
- Deception: Spitfire demonstrated his cunning several times by bluffing his way out of hostage situations.
Notes
- This version of Spitfire, including all history and corresponding appearances, was erased from existence following the collapse of the original Multiverse in the 1985–86 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and later restored following the rebirth of the infinite Multiverse during the Dark Crisis of 2022-2023. Even though other versions of the character may have appeared, this information does not apply to those versions.
Trivia
- Prior to his flight to England from Newfoundland, Adams had never flown across an ocean.[4]
- After discovering a hidden German base on the coast of France while flying undercover in a recovered German plane, Spitfire and Bolton were gunned down, but managed to get word to the Allies of the hidden guns. While in medical care, Spitfire was told that he would likely be awarded a medal of honor for his work on the mission.[10]
Related
- 13 Appearances of Tex Adams (Quality Universe)
- 1 Images featuring Tex Adams (Quality Universe)
- 1 Quotations by or about Tex Adams (Quality Universe)
- Character Gallery: Tex Adams (Quality Universe)
Footnotes