Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

As part of a larger project, I'm attempting to locate and identify as many photos as possible of Spitfires downed in France during 1940. I'm estimating that there are approximately 25-35 possible aircraft that came down in such a condition that they could be potentially identifiable from their markings. Most would have been lost during the Dunkirk evacuation period of late-May, early-June, 1940, although there are examples earlier and some later. Today, a new photo that I hadn't seen before was sold on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEDW%3AIT&rd=1. This one clearly carries the individual letter "U," and appears to show the partial serial ??20? There is a village or town in the background that may be readily identifiable as to a location to some of the readers of this board. This is likely a plane lost during the period May-June, 1940, but it may have been later, or even beyond the end of 1940, which is my cut off. Can anyone supply an identification for this Spitfire or the location for the crash?

I'm also trying to identify an ECPA photo that has been published that shows the wreckage of a Spitfire that appears to have made a wheels down landing on a beach in the vicinity of Dunkirk, taken from below the left wing, with the black undersurface visible. The cockpit and rear of the a/c may have been burned out. Other views of the aircraft, possibly with markings info, may exist. Can anyone help with the identification of this a/c?

I would be most interested in exchanging information with others who have an expertise in this subject.

I'll be posting further inquiries on this subject over the next few days.

Thanx

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry-I have a couple and you can see them (hopefully) when you are here in November

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry
There are tons of photos of Al Deere's Spit, I think the aircraft from ECPA is a survivor at Mimoyeques but I may be wrong. There is a man in UK with a considerable knowledge of beach Spitfire wrecks and a buddy here in Poland has an extensive Spitfire database - no problem with checking, especially if a serial or a part of it is visible.

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry and Franek,

The ECPA photo isn´t an ex-Mimoyeques´ Spitfire N3200 s/d on 26/05/1940. It force-landed without undercarriage and have not been burned out.

Regards,
Michal

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Franek & :Michel,

Thanks for responses.

Franek, who is the UK expert with knowledge of Spitfire Beach Wrecks? I'm not familiar with the location Mimoyeques, but if I interpret Michel's response correctly, the one at Mimoyeques was N3200. I know about this one, QV-(no individual code), N3200 of 19 SQ CL intact on May 26, 1940, by S/L G.D. Stephenson. Michel, is that correct for the a/c at "Mimoyeques?"

While I'm at it, here is another Spitfire beach crash in France that was recently on eBay. This, I think, is another shot of Alan Deere's KL-B. Can anyone confirm that and identify the village/town in the background?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...205804309&rd=1

Another recent eBay auction featured this 92 SQ Spitfire: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

According to "Air Battle Dunkirk" by Norman Franks. These are 92 SQ losses in France that are likely candidates. (Note: It is certain that this is not S/L Roger Bushell's a/c, N3194, that CL 23.5.40; center burned out; Code GR-Z):

23.5.40 - P9370 - Learmond - SD in flames; pilot killed.
23.5.40 - N3290 - Gillies - SD by Bf110 & POW
23.5.40 - P9373 - Klippsch - SD and Killed in combat with Bf110s.

24.5.40 - P9374 - Casanove - POW near Dover. "Reported ex "GR-J"

So, can anybody identify the wreckage of this one or the location?

Thanx

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

After looking at my previous post, I think that the wreckage of the latter cited a/c is probably a Fairy Battle of 105 SQ (Code GB) rather than a 92 SQ Spitfire (Code GR).

Thanx

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Hi,

Agree , never seen a Spitfire with that sort of canopy.

Alex

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry,

Yes, fragments of the N3200 were recovered from the sands in the early 90s and showed at Mimoyecques´ V-3 site for 2-3 years. They were sold ( ? ) later.

Cheers,
Michal

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Michal,

Is the rather precise spot where the N3200 wrekage was found known? I'd like to pin this down on a map, if possible.

Thanx

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

It is from Sangatte I think. The man is Peter R. Arnold.

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry,

re thread 5, P9373 - Paul Klippsch. This Spitfire crashed nose first into a French field, unfortunately I cannot remember its exact location. It was the subject of a TV programme here in the UK called "Time Team" several years ago, when remains of the aircraft were dug up in an archealogical dig.
Regards
Dave

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry,

Franek is right. It´s Sangatte 7 miles W of Calais. The wreck was recovered in 1989.

Cheers,
Michal

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Franek,

Thank you for the reference on Peter R. Arnold. Can you provide a means to contact him? E-mail address? You can send that direct to my e-mail address, which you have.

Regards,

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Michal/Franek:

Thanks for answers on Stephenson crash on May 26, 1940. What is the "V-3 site?" I don't understand what that is.

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

The V-3 was a super-gun built into the hillside and intended to fire on London. V1-V2-V3.

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry,

For a detailed info about Mimoyecques try these links:
http://www.basev3-mimoyecques.com
http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/v3.htm
http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/visit/visit-2caps-mimoyec-v3.htm

Regards,
Michal

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Larry
All what I can do is to forward your email to Peter and ask him to contact you. I will do that later today.

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

This was recently sold on eBay:
http://i21.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/e1/dd/95_1_b.JPG

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

I believe it´s Sgt Kay of the 65 Sqn KIA in cockpit of Spitfire IIA, P7697 on 21st August 1941 during Circus 84 to Chocques.

Michal

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

Recovered from the beach at Sangatte in the Spring of 1986 and displayed at Mimoyecques.

Yes, sold in November 2002 and now in the UK, in the vicinity of Colchester, in store.

PeterA

Re: Spitfires captured or crashed on the continent 1940
 

No is not. Now is on IoW. We try to rebulid that lovely Mk.Ia