Bare-metal Spitfires Mk.IX
 

Please, can someone tell me were they delivered without cammouflage from factory or were they stripped in field?

From photos I saw, seems they all came from MA and MH series. Can you confirm?

Trying to find out if MH654 was bare-metal while in 1435. Squadron?

Thank you for reading!
With kind regards,

Marko

Re: Bare-metal Spitfires Mk.IX
 

Hello Marko,

MH654
31st FG 309th FS codes "WZ-*-XX" named "Gaye".

A/c was camouflaged , as can be seen in group of a/c photo published in Ventura "American Spitfire" page 57, also (same picture) in " In a now forgotten sky" page 206.
In "Spitfire International" page 446 -
"US 12th AF;31st FG, 309th FS ('WZ- XX') 31.1.44; Rtd RAF in 1944 ( MAAF) ; Crashed Cat. FB/E 21.10.44, SOC".
So I expect that it was stripped of camouflage whilst in American service to confuse the enemy as the transition to P51's was takeing place. OR after return to RAF at an MU before being sent to a squadron .

Alex

Re: Bare-metal Spitfires Mk.IX
 

Yes! Great!
I presume the same. It was with RAF 1435. Sq. on 12 Sep 44.

Thank you for info!
Kind regards,
Marko