Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

Another possibility may be X4332, another early P.R. variant ...

"FF 16-8-40 PDU HAL 17-8-40 Cv PRIII Type C PRU 31-8-40 FTR 17-10-40 FH11.15"

Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

This is one where Air Britain Mark 1 Production List (Aeromilitaria Winter 2008) and the 'Spitfire The History' book diverge..

Spitfire the history has as quoted. Air Britain says

"X4332 Delivered Heston Aircraft 17.8.40 (Converted PR 111); PRU 31.8.40; Destroyed on ground by enemy bombs, Heston Cat E 29.10.40"

The key to solving this is probably a better location for the loss or even some other indicator on wreckage etc..

Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

If this was definately a European recovery.. X4342 looks a possiblity.. But that was lost in 1942 after converion to Vb.. All other 'near' ones were lost in UK

The next possible one (other than X4350) is X4385 which reportedly force landed with engine failure at Deelen in Netherlands on a PR mission to Hamburg on 22.9.41 while with 3 PRU (Flt Lt P. Tomlinson POW)

X4386 was also lost on continent, but shot down at Texel 12.1.41 (Flt Lt MArshall POW) on mission to Bremen while with 3 PRU

Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

Hi,
I know this is a tadge old now, but I am reseaching my lineage. My late uncle served in the RAF during WW2. I have just come a photograph of him and my father standing next to a spitfire, with X4342 painted on the fuselage. I wondered if it was the one you were looking for or had anymore info about it. My uncle survived the war so was not the pilot shot down in 1942.
Thanks

Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

Can you tell what unit was that, in which your uncle got himself photographed by the Spitfire?

Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

Thats what I am trying to find out. I know he served in North Africa, and then Greece in 1943. I have documents which relate to 39th Squadron in his handwriting, battle reports, photos of damage etc, but cant find him listed on Internet. I am guessing, but I think he may have been in training when picture taken..I`ll upload it so you can see it

Re: Early Spitfire dataplate, ID needed
 

Well, absence of Sky band around the rear fuselage dates the image before December 1940.
Cannon-armed Mk I in the Battle of Britain period - a rare photo.
The spinner finish (two- or three-tone) might suggest a leader's aircraft at 7 OTU at Hawarden (where X4342 was used in September 1940).