140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Can anybody confirm which type of Spitfire 140 Squadron was flying in August 1942? I think it was the PR Mk1D, but would like confirmation.

Thanks,

Regards,

Steve

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Hi ,

Can this help you :

GroupSquadronBaseCountyArrivedComments16140BensonOxfordshire17/09/41Formed from No. 1416 Flight. Spitfire Ia, 09/41. Spitfire C, 09/41. Blenheim IV, 09/41. Spitfire IV, 02/42. Ventura I, 02/43.


Alain

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

According to Jefford's "RAF Squadrons" they had Spitfire PR VII between June and July 1943.

EDIT, sorry looked at wrong date:

Jefford states Spitfire IV and Blenheim IV for that date you requested.

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Thanks Gent,

Was the Spitfire IV actually a typo for PR Mk1D (later redesignated PR MkIV) or was the Squadron flying the Griffon equiped Spitfire IV fighter? The former seems more likely, considering the Squadrons role as a reconnaissance unit operated by Coastal Command.

Regards,

Steve

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Hi Steve,

Yes Mk IDs were later redesignated PR Mk IV. There were 229 IDs produced in total.

Regards,
Michal

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

PR ID was the designation of prototypes used by No. 1 PRU. Production aircraft were called Spitfire PR.IV or simply Spitfire IV. No unit ever used the Griffon Spitfire IV (the F.IV), as only two prototypes were ever built of that variant (subsequently renamed Spitfire XX).

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Spitfire PR 1D, also known as PR Type D.
Conversion of Mk I for photo recce. Very long range version.
Armament removed. 57 gallon (259 l) integral fuel tanks in wing leading edges, 2 x F.24 or F.8 camera in fuselage behind pilot, 29 gallon (132 l) fuel tank behind pilot. 14 gallons (64 l) extra oil in port wing former gun-bay.
Rounded windscreen plus canopy with bulged canopy sides. 2 Mk I conversions (P9551 & P9552) plus 'production' version based on Mk V airframes as PR Mk IV

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Gents,

Thanks for the clarification over the Spitfire IV.

Regards,

Steve

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

As a new member to the forum, I thought I would start by adding a little photo to this thread. My grandfather was a founder memeber of 140 Squadron from 1416 Flight in 1941. I have attached a photograph of the officers of the Squadron in front of a MK 1D.

I am looking for as much info on the squadron as possible, but also have quite alot so I hope to be able to share it.

Nick.

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

I hadn't realised that the PR Mk.IV was armed. The PR wing (or D wing) had extra fuel tanks in the leading edge. Could the aircraft be a PR Mk.VII/PR Mk.1G? Or was the armament an option on PR Mk.IVs?

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

You're correct Graham the PR.IV was unarmed. As you say the Type G was the only early PR Spitfire that could retain armament.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

to oowebb : 140 Squadron
 

Hello Nick,

I'm searching, too, about 140 Sqdn.

My search concerns the loss of a Mosquito of this Sqdn, crashed in my area of France on 5th of June 1944. I can send to you the information I have about this crash : documents, pictures ... if you are interested, please send to me an e-mail : pierre.babin.babin@wanadoo.fr

Best regards

Pierre

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Hi Nick,

Thanks for sharing the photo with us. Can you name any of the individuals in the photo and the date it was taken.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Nick,

This is what I have on your grandfather - somewhat fragmented

1416 Flt (14Sep41)-17Sep41, 140 Sqn 17Sep41-?, Flt Cdr 140 Sqn (27Mar43-18Aug43) (Act C/O 140 Sqn (30Apr43-16May43)), Wg Ldr (C/O?) 34 Wg ?-?, Wg Ldr 124 Wg Apr45-02May45

KIA 02May45 (flak), Typhoon Ib (SW530)

Any additions/corrections to the biographical data would be very welcome.

The only other pilot I know who was with 1416 Flt when it was re-designated 140 Sqn was the C/O Eric Clive Le Mesurier

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Andy,

the best I can do on names for now is:

Back row L-R: 1. ? 2. ? 3. H. S. W Chessum 4. ? 5. C. D. Harriss St John

Middle row L-R: I don't know any!

Front row L-R: 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? 4. E. C. Le Mesurier 5. G. F. H. Webb 6. H Rigby 7. ?

I can probably add more names at a later date but I would need to check through other albums. There are planty of other photos but this happen to have been scanned onto my PC!

Nick.

ps. just spotted your addition. I'll post a full service record for my Grandfather in a while!

N

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Excellent. I look forward to it. Thanks for the other names.

Andy Fletcher

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Here is another 140 Squadron photo dated 7th March 1943

L-R: S/Ldr G. F. H Webb DFC*, Sir James Grigg, W/Cdr E. C. Le Mesurier DSO, DFC. , Maj. Gen. Pagett, ?, ? (probably an ADC??!!)

My grandfather flew the blenheim behind for the General and Sir James to view exercise "Spartan"

Nick.


The Scotsman in the previous photo would appear to be Major Menzies at a guess!

N

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Wing Commander George francis Herbert Webb DFC and Bar, AE, AAF (90987).

1. RAF Reserve - Sergeant 4/8/1936
2. Commissioned AAF P/O 1/8/1939 - 613 Squadron (City of Manchester)
3. Promoted F/O 3/9/1940
4. Promoted F/Lt 21/6/1941
5. Promoted S/Ldr 1/4/1942
6. Promoted W/Cmdr 21/5/1943

613 Sqn 1/8/1939
School of Army Cooperation 4/9/1939 (course)
613 Sqn
1416 Flight 10/3/1941
140 Sqn
34 Wing (16 Sqn, 69 Sqn, 140 Sqn)
RAF Staff college (course)
34 Wing Support Unit 29/9/1944
HQ 83 Group 25/2/1945 - 2/3/1945
C. F. E. Tangmere 2/3/1945 (course)
HQ 124 Wing (181 Sqn, 182 Sqn, 187 Sqn) 5/4/1945
KIA 2/5/1945 flying Typhoon

DFC awarded LG 26/6/1942
Bar to DFC awarded LG 29/12/1944
Bronze Lion (Netherlands) awarded LG 1/1/1946
Air Efficiency Award awarded AMO N526/43 6/5/1943

I hope that this is helpful!

Nick.

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Thanks very much Nick. Just a couple more questions - what date did he leave 140 Sqn and between what dates did serve with 34 Wg?

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Andy,

The dates I have on his Record of Service state:

34 Wing, 12 Gp - 27/6/1943 (on promotion to W/Cmdr)
Staff College 6/12/1943
34 Wing - 6/3/1944
34 Wing Support Unit - 29/9/1944
Main HQ 83 Group - 25/2/1945
83 Group Support Unit - 25/2/1945
Central Fighter Command Tangmere - 2/3/1945
124 Wing HQ - 5/4/1945

Does that help?

Nick.

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

Great stuff Nick, thanks very much.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

Re: 140 Squadron Spitfires
 

No Probs Andy....let me know if I can help you with anything else!

Nick.