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Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
A long shot I know, but would anyone be prepared to share images of Spitfire Mk VCs belonging to No. 242 Squadron at the turn of the year 1942-43 in North Africa. I would like to get a profile done of ER778 and am struggling to find reference material.
Thanks for any help. |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Tim - ER778 was a Vb (Merlin 46) dedicated "Spirit of Beverley" they had Vb s April 42 to Dec. 43 and Vc s July 43 to Feb.44. At the time you said they were in Algeria.
I havn't seen a photo but almost certainly in Desert scheme with stencilled serial, their "LE" codes weren't always carried (more common on their Mk.IXs) and spinners should have been red as on ER773 but sometimes black or Dark Earth. Hope you find a photo. Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks Nick. My typo, I meant VB. Keeping my fingers crossed but I know such images are very rare.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hello,
Sqn's code was B then, and LE was used before and again later. |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks Zoran. Yes, I believe the shortened codes used in Operation Torch were still in use in early 1943.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Zoran. With regard to single-letter Spitfire codes in N. Africa-Malta in this period (1942-43) I would appreciate your thoughts on these, or corrections.
G...81 Sqn Algeria 1942-3 L..152 Sqn NW Africa 1942-3 V...1435 Sqn (permanent) T...249 Sqn Malta 1942-3 J...93 Sqn Algeria 1943 B...242 Sqn "Torch" 1942, Algeria X...229 Sqn Malta 1942-3 X...(603 Sqn)? Malta 1942 possible transfer V...126 Sqn 1942 short period (transfer?) Obviously codes were not always changed due to time limits which can be confusing. 242 reverted back to "LE" by the time of Operation "Husky" eg ER163 LE--J. This was about the time they got their Mk. Vc s. Thanks Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hello,
From a brief look, and not a definitive list: 72 G, than RN 43 81 F, than FL 43 92 GR Gibraltar 42, than QJ 93 J, than HN 43, than DV 45 on Mustangs, renamed from 237 126 X Malta, than MK 42, than TD 43, than 5J in UK 44. On Malta Spitfires often flew as a pool. 145 SO in UK, than none, than ZX 152 L, than UM 43 154 Possibly H? (looks like ES187 was coded H-C), than HT, than HG in UK. 185 none Malta, than GL 43 229 X Malta, than HB 43, 9R in UK 44 242 B 42, than LE 249 T, than GN. Also delivery codes 3, 22. 601 Delivery codes 1, 2, 3, than UF 603 Delivery codes 2, 4 1435 V Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Many thanks Zoran. Looks like 154 used "C" in 1943, some examples here.... Nick
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...M-MEC2032.html https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...r-1943-0B.html https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...r-1943-0A.html https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...-1943-IWM.html |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hello,
Great find! I'll try to check some during weekend. Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
A quick update on "G" Spitfires. I think this must be 81 Sqn. The well-known photo of "G--R" EN455 (Mk.IX) usually says 81 Sqn. at Souk-el-Khemis in April 1943.
EN455 was flown by F/O D.W. Rathwell RCAF (81 Sqn.) on 20th April when he shared an Me109 on a sweep to Bizerta; they were operating from "Paddington" airstrip, one of the 6 SOUK airfields named after London railway stations (Tunisia). EN455 is recorded as dedicated "FORT HUDSON'S HOPE" on a couple of web-sites but it may not have been painted on. She was in the Desert Scheme. I can't remember seeing an "F" Spitfire (?) but my memory isn't what it was. Regards Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks for your input gentlemen. Useful information.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Some pics of Torch Spits
https://i.postimg.cc/k43mwtTZ/B-E.jpg B-E of 242 Sqn https://i.postimg.cc/PqHy4Xmy/F-H.jpg F-H. Unfortunately only last digits can be seen. https://i.postimg.cc/W4sK46fs/J-D.jpg J-D of 93 Sqn |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hi
Based on the same photo as you have used "Combat Codes" (Andy Thomas and Vic Flintham) has got F-H/***42 as possibly 154Sqn. Steve |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
May be JK742 flown by Sgt. Groombridge ( 154 Sqn) ( see post above) named "Olive"; aircraft letters were changed regularly, overpainted with Dark Earth around the letter as seen on several others. Groombridge flew her in April 1943 but with 154's "C" code.
The photo could be later (June?) when "HT" was re-introduced when flying over Sicily but the "T" isn't visible. As I've seen, the single letter code was in place about Nov. 42 to June 43. The red letters didn't show up well when weathered. Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
https://i.postimg.cc/c1tWDYFJ/B-H.jpg
ER254 of 242 Sqn https://i.postimg.cc/L8XNTkVC/B-N.jpg ER254 of 242 Sqn profile |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks for the images Zoran, these are very interesting. I think I can begin to provide some answers on fuselage codes, as I now have a log book for 242 Squadron with fuselage codes that I can cross-reference against the serial numbers in the Squadron ORB. Work in progress!
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
The code in the photo of ER254 looks more like B-H, rather than B-N as shown in the profile.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Zoran. This is a puzzle; it says 243 Sqn. ( the Spitfire in the background has their codes "SN") and the date would be July 43; but which letter is their temporary code, X or Y, and "E" was added for some reason. "X" was already allocated so I presume it's "Y" ?
Nick https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...M-CNA1029.html |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
https://i.postimg.cc/m24LrgFN/X-A.jpg
229 Sqn at Malta used codes X-A to X-Z https://i.postimg.cc/Xqk059yK/X-J.jpg About Asibiz picture In the background is certainly 243 Sqn's Spit. But XYE has different style of markings that 229, seems that X-Y is outlined (white?) and smaller E is probably the same color. Serial is obscured, so it is still a mystery to me. And back to 242. Tentative and not definitive list. 242 Sqn flew with LE codes in England on Mk VB in approximate range P8791-EP178 and in Africa B (and later LE) coded Mk VB trop EP236-ER968, and Mk VC trop AR566-LZ933. Examples: Mk VB BL729 LE-V, England VIII-IX.42, in 93 Sqn from IX.42. Tropical ER676 B-E at Bone XII.42 (later HT-E of 154 Sqn); and ER254 B-H at Djidjelli. ER163 was J in Africa II.43. N was EP545 at Bone XII.42 and lost 28.12.42. Another N was EP909 in Africa III.43; later N was ER933 or LZ933 (with LE code at Malta). ER315 was LE-A at Sicily VII.43. Mk IX were LE coded: JL230 LE-B, EN304 LE-D, JL180 LE-E, MH321 LE-N, EN241 LE-Z etc. Hope that logbooks will be uploaded to this site. Regards to all Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Just for reference, I am reasonably confident that the following Spitfire Mk. VB serial numbers and fuselage codes are correct for No. 242 Squadron around the time of Operation Torch:
EP898 - B ER625 - C ER140 - J ER592 - G ER778 - J 'Spirit of Beverley' |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
"Airhistory.org.uk" gives X-Y (E) as EP305, 229 Sqn. flown off "Eagle". There's a lot of re-painting around the codes and the spinner is Sky or Sky Blue not red.
The Me109G is Yellow 14, 6./JG53 there is another photo of the left side with insignia and b/w spiral spinner. X-Y is in the foreground. One of several left at Comiso in July when they moved further north to Rammaca. ( As 229 was formed from 603 on Malta in Aug.1942 and 603 dropped their "X" code then, maybe they kept their code).?. Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hello,
X-Y EP305 flew in 229 Sqn winter/May 1943, and was then sent to Africa. Later X-Y __290 flew from June 1943, and EE741 in September. I did not fond mention of EP305 in 229's orb in July, so at Comiso X-Y EP305 could be flown by some high ranking officer (and thus marked E?). For example W/Cdr Pave from ME command visited Sicily on 21.7.43. On operations at that time Spitfire JE JK533 was flown by W/Cdr Ellis, HD JL122 was flown by W/Cdr H. Dundas (and sometimes by W/Cdr G.K. Gilroy, who later got his 'own' GK-G JK143). By the way EP305 had accident on Lentini, Sicily, 26.8.43 and was SOC 30.9.43. https://youtu.be/tZxXsxcT8z8 Spitfire V trop SN-C of No. 243 Squadron RAF at Sicily passing Bf 109G Yellow 14 of JG 53. It is possible that 243 Sqn used code A briefly, but only A-R EP650 is photographed at Maison Blanche. B (242 Sqn) was discused before, and C (154 Sqn) is confirmed on Asibiz site. D-K was personal code of D. Kains Spitfire EP312 in Egypt. Also in Egypt Spitfire F-A ER934 flew in 73 Operational Training Unit and crashed 20.9.43, although some sources give code F for 72 Sqn and/or 72 OTU. 72 Sqn coded RN in Africa https://youtu.be/_GKkj3zuPgc F was code of 81 Sqn in USSR https://youtu.be/-8b64nKR5T4 In Africa 81 Sqn's code was G, Nick was right. Another Spitfire was coded G-G, EP566 of Greek 335 Sqn. Lost in Greece 2.10.46. Air Vice Marshal Harry Broadhurst, AOC Desert Air Force, flew his personal Spitfire coded HB. Letter I was often used as squadron code instead of number one on some Coastal Command's aircraft. Also famous Dakota AI of 267 Sqn was in fact A1. J was 93 Sqn's code in Africa. It seems that ER675 was J-P and ER847 J-F, early 1943. J-H was much later Mk IX MH944 flown by Col J.D.W. Human, 7 SAAF Wing at Forli, Italy, 1945. L was 152 Sqn's code, but soon reverted to UM. 152 Sqn coded UM https://youtu.be/BfbxSVW9JUU Have a nice weekend Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks Zoran. Is this the photo of EP650 with "A" ? If it's for identification it's not very clear being in red.
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...IWM-CNA33.html These 2 Spifires are interesting (to me) for the unusual camouflage patterns which must have been done in the field maybe at the MU, and very recently.... https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...M-CNA2220.html https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...M-CNA4274.html Regards Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hello,
https://i.postimg.cc/yND2PLzN/Maison-Blanche-42.jpg The same plane profiled bellow is in the middle of photo. On the asibiz site immediately behind A-R there is another Spitfire with A applied in white. https://i.postimg.cc/6QTxP9Ct/A-R-PROFIL.jpg Profile from Mushroom publication. Lots of profiles, photos and walkaround section with many details. Recommended for modelers. Another example of camouflage pattern, this time mirrored, at https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire...a-1944-0A.html Regards Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Zoran. These 2 were delivered to Casablanca by ship ( convoy KX.2) arriving 29/10/42 for the "Torch" landings; both have non-standard patterns and seem to have had recent re-paints maybe at 145 MU. at Cazes Airport Casablanca (if they were operating then). They were assembled by the Special Erection Party on North Front.
They are not in the standard "Desert" scheme which photos of Mk.Vs/IX/VIIIs being assembled from shipping crates show and which were painted at the factory, and the paintwork is surely new. The very light undersides could be a locally mixed Sky Blue, not dark enough for Azure. Let me know what you think would you? Thanks Nick https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ch%2C_1942.jpg |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
From a letter written by the Squadron Leader of 242 Squadron in 1996, it seems 242’s Spitfires were shipped to Gibraltar, where they were reassembled. From other sources, it looks like the Squadron personnel arrived by ship and then the pilots flew the aircraft from Gibraltar to Maison Blanche in preparation for Torch with ground crew coming on by boat.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ch%2C_1942.jpg
Casablanca was stil in Vichy hands in October. Photo is taken at Gibraltar (The Rock is visible in the background), probably October/November 1942. North Front is also at Gibraltar. Early 1943 Spitfire underside colors were standarised: Azure Blue or Light Mediterranean Blue. I do not know AR525's history, except that was in Africa in Spring 1943. There is some conflicting info about EP965: probably flown by 249 and 241 Sqn at Malta (accident 25.3.43, Cat 3). Probably repaired. Also listed in MACAF 213 Sqn in Egypt, 253 Sqn, and 73 Sqn at Foggia V.44. MA859 was erected from crates by 145 MU at Casablanca, but later in 1943. SOC 29.8.46. Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Yes I meant Gibraltar not Casablanca. Thanks.
Zoran. Have you got " British Aviation Colours" from the RAF Museum with WW2 AMOs? If not you can send me a PM with your e-mail. I mentioned the underside colour as "Sky" is still included in an Amendment in Dec. 1942, with Azure and Lt. Mediterranean Blue. Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
https://i.postimg.cc/Dw0zLxcJ/Combat-codes.jpg
Page from "Comat codes" Some additions: 3 SCHOOL OF GENERAL RECONNAISSANCE Coded 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1 Botha I L6250 1-F, Anson I DJ356 1-F 2 Botha I W5077 2-W, Anson I AX232 2-05 3 Botha I L6328 3-L, Anson I EG134 3-01 4 Botha I L6497 4-H, Anson I N5368 4-03 5 Botha I L6297 5-B 4 RADIO SCHOOL, coded 4+digits Dominie I X7449 4-92 Proctor I P6180 4-99, Proctor IV NP365 4-32 Oxford II ED126 4-109 5 MIDDLE EAST TRAINING SCHOOL: Until 1942 known as Torpedo Bombing School. Beaufort II DE126 5-N Beaufighter XI JM401 5-N Hurricane IIC L8902 5-W, Hurricane IV LD216 5-V Wellington IC DV550 5-G, Wellington VIII HX864 5-B etc. https://i.postimg.cc/qR4qh4D0/A-E.jpg Wellington of 8 Sqn, Aden https://i.postimg.cc/y8Gr8Ndg/C-C.jpg Baltimore FW373, ex 55 Sqn. Used later for communicatoons. SOC 14.3.46. https://i.postimg.cc/d3D5FPYm/F-A.jpg F-A of 73 OTU. Spinner is single colour, probably Mid Stone. https://i.postimg.cc/C1p0d71q/L-E.jpg Well known Spitfire of 152 Sqn. Ended the war coded 'N' in 352 Yugoslav Sqn RAF, Prkos 45. Later in JRV, 9491, Mostar, until accident 6.10.47. https://i.postimg.cc/CLkQx08m/242.jpg Last but bot least. Educated guess of Tim's Spit ER778 Also Nick was right - Sky is stil listed 1942 for underside colour "abroad". Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks again Zoran. I still think EN455 / G--R COULD be 81 Sqn.; on 20 April 43 Sgt. D W Rathwell RCAF ( 81 Sqn) shared an Me109 in her on a sweep to Bizerta. He had gone to 81 in N. Africa in Dec. 1942 and Malta in June 43 (he went to India with them in Nov.) flew 132 sorties in 81. By July EN455 was with 154 Sqn. flown by Sgt. Groombridge.
I suppose it's possible that Rathwell "borrowed" EN455 from 87 but they were not based nearby in April. The caption to her photo says Souk-el-Arba but 81 Sqn. was at Soul el-Khemis a few miles away. Regarding the underside colours, the Mk.Vs which came from the CBAF factory in Desert scheme (the 5th order in ER series and some ES) had very light undersides, lighter than regular Sky; maybe Sky Blue, both were thought too light for N. Africa. Of the 4 colours, Sky Blue was lightest, then Sky, then Azure and LM Blue darkest. Nick |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Hello,
Nick .I agree that G was 81 Sqn's code (and said that in one post above). No 87 Sqn flew Hurricanes coded LK for a long time, and in Africa also, supplemented by only a few Mk Vs in 1943 and finnaly replaced by late mark Spitfi1res 1944. 87 Sqn's orb quotes they on 10 January 1944 received news that the squadron is to be re-equiprd with Spitfires in the near future. So I guess there was a typo in 'Combat codes'. EN455 flew in 87 Sqn in Italiy 1945. Regards Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
https://www.eduard.com/out/pictures/...ko_krabice.jpg
https://www.eduard.com/eduard/plasti...ombo-1-48.html Torch destined 44 Spitfires were diverted to Malta, 32 Mk VB on HMS Furious and 12 Mk VC flew directly from Gibraltar. Instruction sheet with no less than 15 interesting schemes, including delivery coded 1-K, 2-A, 3-X, 249's T-N and T-L + many more can be downloaded via the link above or http://www.eduard.com/store/out/media/11172.pdf Also delivery code C is mentioned in the text, C-20 BR108, C-22 BR107 and C-51 BR175. Another Eduard's good product. Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Zoran,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful combo and the interesting schemes of camouflage. Most welcomed link and surely a fantastic product....on the wish list for Xmas! All the best Adriano |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Thanks for the profiles Zoran.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Regarding the colours schemes this is the Signal from HQ Malta to the Air Ministry on April 7 asking for "sea camouflage" to be applied before the first delivery on USS WASP (Operation CALENDAR); and reply next day from the Director of War Organisation to Chief of Air Staff.
Apparently not complied with as the Spitfires loaded for the first delivery from Glasgow were still in Desert, then re-painted on board; second delivery (Operation BOWERY) on WASP remained in Desert. Abbotsinch (Glasgow) was an aircraft storage facility (41 Group). "DOO" = Director of Ops (Overseas). Nick https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...edfb2e51_o.jpgmalta-signal by Nicholas King, on Flickr |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
THE SECOND WORLD WAR: CAMPAIGN NARRATIVES
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisat...n-narratives1/ TORCH https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/air-historical-branch/second-world-war-campaign-narratives/north-african-campaign-november-1942-may-1943/"]https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/units/air-historical-branch/second-world-war-campaign-narratives/north-african-campaign-november-1942-may-1943/ ADMIRALTTY DIARY FOR GIBRALTAR 1942 https://www.naval-history.net/xDKWD-NAtGib1942a.htm Scroll down to the next chapter Hope this will help many researchers Regards Zoran |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Interesting! Thanks Zoran.
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Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Some more info
https://i.postimg.cc/SKkdWF84/Torch-...T-S-43-Sqn.jpg Hurricane HV407 FT-S of 43 Sqn. "From England, Hurricane units flew fighter-bomber support missions during the Dieppe operation on 19 August 1942, and on 8 November squadrons transferred from England supported Allied landings in Algeria as part of Operation "Torch". No. 43 Squadron, with Hurricane IICs, was the first R.A.F. unit to land in this part of Africa, and it was soon followed by 32, 87 and 253 Squadrons for fighting duties, as well as 225 and 241 Squadrons for army co-operation, in company with a large number of Spitfire squadrons. After initial operations the Hurricanes were retained for convoy patrols and defence of base areas, and units began to receive Spitfires as replacements as quickly as these became available." (Text from Aircam) "...in November the Axis line broke at El Alamein in Egypt. Four days later, on the 8th, the Allies landed in North-West Africa, part of the air cover supplied by nine Spitfire squadrons of the R.A.F. (72, 81, 93, 111, 152, 154, 232, 242, and 243), and six squadrons of the 31st and 52nd F.G." (Aircam) It seems that Spitfire AR525 (pictured in RAF markings at Gibraltar on page 3) served later in 308th FS, 31st FG, USAAF. 31st FG landed in Africa from Gibraltar 8th Nov late afternoon. "Shortly after the fall of Maison Blanche airfield, 19 Hurricanes and 35 Spitfires arrived from Gibraltar as advanced units of RAF Eastern Command. Operations were conducted on the 8th and 9th from a British carrier, though on the first day there was very little air activity because of the shortage of fuel. However, Servicing Commandos and RAF Regiment personnel began work at once on both the airdromes. On the 9th German bombers attacking Algiers were met by RAF fighters and at least 12 were shot down." (The AAF in Northwest Africa) Blackbird Models has decal sets: BMD72027 1:72 Operation Torch Pt:1 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VII V8462 C-YD 255 Sqn RAF Souk-el-Arba Algeria 1942 Supermarine Seafire IIc MA974 8-Q 844 NAS FAA H.M.S. Victorious 1942 Spitfire Mk.Vb ER676 B-E 242 Sqn RAF Bone Algeria 1942 Spitfire PR Mk.IV BS491 544 Sqn RAF Gibraltar 1942 Blackbird Models BMD72028 1:72 Operation Torch Pt:2 Heinkel He-111H-3 D-ACLZ Deutsche Waffenstillstands Komission Luftwaffe Mekenes Morocco 1942 Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-4 1 4/JG.2 Luftwaffe Kairoun Tunisia 1942 Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-4 JG.2 Luftwaffe Bizerte Tunisia 1942 Blackbird Models BMD72030 1:72 Operation Torch Pt:3 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc HV817 C-FT 43 Sqn RAF Maison Bianche Algeria 1942 Supermarine Seafire Ib MB366 801 NAS FAA H.M.S. Furious 1942 Grumman Martlet IV FN104 6-C 882 NAS FAA H.M.S. Victorious 1942 https://i.postimg.cc/vmFjkNV2/Torch-...T-C-43-Sqn.jpg Torch Hurricane HV817 FT-C of No. 43 Sqn RAF. However, SAM Combat Colours 2 by H.C. Bridgewater claims that it was in Temperate Land Scheme (Dark Green/Ocean Grey/Sea Grey Medium). https://i.postimg.cc/FRbDSCf8/242-Sq...Blanche-gc.jpg Servicing commandos at Maison Blanche This and following photos are from Mr. Benham's collection and published some 50 years ago. He was Flt Ldr in 242 Sqn 42, served later in Aden, retired as Gp/C 1958 and was later president of the Spittire Society (Wales). https://i.postimg.cc/0QC0j6Fq/242-Sq...on-Blanche.jpg Spitfire V with the squadron code 'B' of 242 Sqdn at Maison Blanche with Flt Sgt James Robin Mallinson in the cockpit. He was first to killl He 111H-6 on 9 November (either WNr 7565 1H+EP of 6./KG 26 or WNr 7152 A8+EK of KSG 2). Also claimed 2 Ju 88 + 1 damaged 28.11.42 while flying ER601. He was shot down in B-G ER592 on 2.1.43 and killed. https://i.postimg.cc/BnYbC2Pv/Maison...R-captured.jpg Captured Vichy Potez 63-11 of Esc 4 BR. https://i.postimg.cc/6qmR4ChF/242-Sq...a-29-11-42.jpg Spitfire of 242 Sqn (ER621) shot down atTabarka 29.11.42 https://i.postimg.cc/J0cv14cy/242-er676.jpg Another one from decal set, and (I believe) the same aircraft later in 154 Sqn (bellow). Note mirrored areas of Dark Earth and Mid Stone. https://i.postimg.cc/V6NcZtj7/154-ER676-HT-E.jpg |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
A few comments on colours.
The colours of the carrier-borne deliveries to Malta have been exhaustively covered by Paul Lucas in a series of articles for Scale Aircraft Modelling Magazine, since reprinted in Colour Conundrums 1. This is too involved for posting here, but if you are interested then it is vital to read. Sky was included as an option for the Desert Scheme, but was not acceptable to HQ ME as being too light. Azure Blue, which is not particularly dark, was developed from a Light Blue sample sent from the Middle East, and apparently widely used there as ME Light Blue (or Iraqi Blue). The darker blue sometimes seen is Light Mediterranean Blue. It perhaps should be added that some examples of the original MAP colours show Sky Blue as more intense than the generally accepted pale shade. This perhaps explains why (it was said) some overseas deliveries were in Sky Blue whereas others were Azure Blue. Though it is perhaps more likely that the term sky blue was used in a generic sense to describe any light blue, there are a number of photos showing a blue lighter than Azure Blue. Azure, as opposed to Azure Blue, was a colour in prewar British Standards, but was a somewhat more greenish shade and not used in WW2 for aircraft. |
Re: Spitfire of 242 Squadron - North Africa 1942-43
Lovely shot of FT-S with the long-range tanks. Rare to see them so clearly.
All the best Andreas |
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