Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Testing the water. Anybody that can come up with a serial here? I am modelling AH-M "Litago" from 332 sqn and although I have found pictures of the plane I haven't found the serial...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago3.jpg

Regards,
Kyrre

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Hello Kyrre,

From Spitfire International :

PV215 - "AH-M" to 332 Sqn in Norway 19/6/45. RNAF "AH-M" from 22/11/45.
Coded "A-BI" AFTER 8/46. Sgt Thunes killed 26/9/50 when a/c f/l nr Bardalgárd.

And also -

PT827 - RAF 23/8/44 ex 340,341 Sqns "AH-M" to 332 Sqn29/4/45. Arrived Norway 19/5/45.
Dived in near Askim 14/6/45 Sgt. Wik killed.

From Spitfire the History :

PV215 - No RNAF service noted, just Dyce 19/6/45.

PT827 - 341 Sqn 21/9/44 E/A CB 29/11/44.

From Photo looks like a kill marking on cockpit door.

So unles there was another my money is on PT827.

night

Alex

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

No, I think the aircraft is earlier than that. The thickness of the yellow rim to the roundel suggests 1941. There might be an M in the squadron listings in Fighter Squadronf of the RAF, but the chance is thin. I'll try to remember to have a look.

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Spit Vb.AD325.Castle Bromwich-built.Shot down by a FW190 during the Dieppe Raid.The pilot,Olav Djønne,bailed out over the Channel and was rescued.This is the only AH-M Spit Vb that I have identified.Photo is from a series that were taken at Catterick in April 1942.

Stein

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Hello,

Well Done Stein,

She was a "named" Spitfire "Westmorland II" and had previously served with 310, 154 and 312 Squadrons before going to 332 Squadron.
The above from Air Britain AA100-AZ999.

Alex

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Hi,

Graham noted right notice about roundel. That (old) type of roundels was valid till 21.5.1942 when changes came into operation. Of course, there was idle period when the new roundels were applied in the Squadrons.

Michal

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Many thanks peeps!

As Stein wrote this is definitely a Vb, since it's from a well known series taken in '42. Sorry for not pointing this out properly. The alternative would be a Va. I'm including the rest of the series. Notice that the aircraft has the Vb cannon bulge and Rotol propeller.
This aircraft is definitely called Litago, which is the Norwegian equivalent of "Daisy", a typical cow's name.
One question that I haven't found a proper answer to: What size underwing roundel would this Spit carry, with the picture taken the same month as they started repainting the Spits to the C/C1 combination?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...tvblitago1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...f/litago-6.jpg

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Hi,

Great photos.

Now I see the Norwegian Flag , not as suspected a "kill" marking.

Any of the right hand side ?, might show the presentation name if it was indeed AD325 "Westmoreland II".

AH-M could perhaps still be yet another "M"

Alex

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Thanks for all the input folks. Because of decal-problems I ended up making Litago as she might have appeared when she was shot down in August '42.
(It's wrong with the AM-antennae I've realised after the pics were taken. The antenna is gone now. :) ) Oh and Alex, there's a pic of AH-M on the starboard side and the name Litago on that side as well. I don't have that pic I might add.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...orightback.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...litagoover.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...goleftover.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...itagofront.jpg

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Kyrre
You will hate me!
Foundation (or we should say sponsor at the time) inscription should have been in MSG though some photos suggest Sky might have been used as well. White stripes were applied for the operation Rutter in early July 1942 only. They were gone by the time of Dieppe. I am also not sure if they were applied on all the aircraft participating in the former.
Your little beauty is lacking IFF antennas and I am not quite sure if cannon covers were painted with dope. I would expect ordinary black rubber. There is also something wrong with the carburettor inlet.
Cheers

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

No hate at all. Your information is very useful!

- I understand the sponsor theme but it must be said that Litago cerainly is no sponsor in that she is the common Norwegian cow! So the inscription must have been painted on after arrival with the Norwegians. Nevertheless the writing could of course be MSG, though it appears the Norwegians were experts at disobeying all standards (Squadron shield, various names, flagstriped cannons etc) in addition to the "infamous" RAB aircraft. On the pictures I have seen of Norwegian aircraft with names they certainly seems to stand out from the camo. Duly noted though.
- Your Operation Rutter info is very useful. This is the first time this excercise is actually named (for me). There is no confirmation that AH-M was painted with stripes but I used some artistic license in this case since I really really wanted to make Litago coming from a RNoAF Mk IX decalsheet I participated in making. Apparently some 20 Norwegian Spits were painted with stripes (info coming from somewhere) but I have not seen any pictures of 332 Sqn planes with stripes. Letting you in on a secret the AH-M letters aren't correct either. 332 Sqn appears to have used a thicker version of the 24" letters. When I discovered this I just had to fake it. Cat's out of the bag now! :p
- IFF. I'm the confused one about this issue. So the AM-antenna from the mast should be gone but the IFF's were still in use? At what point did they go over to the whip underneath? Inquiring minds wants to know.
- Cannon covers: I thought I'd seen a colour pic of Spitfires with red "condoms" but it could be a product of my imagination. It was also pointed out to me that the area behind the cover should be gun metal. Oh well, live and learn.
- Carburator inled. I'm sure it's not quite right. We shall have to blame it on Tamiya or possibly me getting an exchange part from a friend with a Mk I issue. :)

Many thanks for your info Franek. Hopefully there'll be some different errors in my next attempt. I really do appreciate a good nitpick. That's the only way to get better.

Kyrre

Re: Serial on Spitfire V(b?) AH-M from 332(N) Sqn 1942?
 

Hello Kyrre

Well, I did not notice it is a name. It does look just like foundation name, oh, perhaps she was bought by some ex-Norwegian milk farmer. ;)
BTW
Certainly you have not seen too many Polish Spitfires. ;)

Rutter was not an excercise. It was an operation like Jubilee but it was postponed for some reason. Stripes appeared just for a few days and then, sadly, dissapeared. But if you like unusual stripes, you can make a Norwegian Mk IX with rather unusual cowlings. ;)

Oh, a minor detail. ;)

They were replaced between August and October 1943. Radio frequency change over to VHF was earlier, IIRC, Winter 1940/41.

Red on leading edges was due to red dope used as a glue to cover mg holes in the leading edge. I have seen on colour photos that other paints were also used eg. at MTO. I do not think anybody would bother to do strawberry condoms but who knows?

Oh, perhaps some work with sandpaper. It just looks wrong.

I suggest some booklets by Wojtek Matusiak. Mk V by Mushroom and Mk IX/XVI by Mirage. The latter covers aircraft of the Polish airmen only but is stressed on such details like IFFs, crowbars, cowling versions, etc.