Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of some Spitfires of 136 Squadron at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-PRESS-P...j8AAOSwW5dgFEA O




The seller states the photo is original, so hopefully not previously seen.


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Hello,

Link inoperable. Would be nice to see shot before it's too late.

Col.

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Hi Col,


Thanks, No initial h in the link. Now fixed.


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Clint,

Thank you.

Col.

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Hi Clint. "UM" is 152 Sqn. ( 136 was "HM") these are Mk.IXs ( black codes) and Vc s (white codes though several had dark blue like 145 Sqn) in Italy shortly before moving to India in Jan. 1944 with Mk.VIIIs.


Nick

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Hi Nick,


Thanks. Must have been tired eyes when I posted (It was late).Alas I saw HM at the time hence my squadron attribution. You are, of course, correct its UM and 152 Squadron.


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Clint this is a better image, it's actually IWM photo CNA-1643.

UM-V is MA454, Q may be JL170; this is in the Naples--Salerno area.
I made a model of UMV 50 years ago.
Nick

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Thanks Nick,


A much nicer photo. Now all I have to do is to find a original photo of a far east based Spitfire to cover my egregious blunder :o



Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Nick

I followed the aircraft as far as MA4 and UM code but with your IWM find, yes MA45x. The RAF Aircraft MA100 to MZ999 has this aircraft with 601Sq and after that with 5 RFU. No mention of any 152Sq. Aircraft crashed in Italy, so deff in that area.
May I ask how this one is identified? Does IWM state the serial number or have you done your own homework? I agree no other aircraft in the MA450 - 459 fits, so MA454 certainly feels good.

Just curious... :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo RAF Aircraft
 

Hi Stig. I made that model of UM-V (at least 50 years ago !) was based on an AIRFIX magazine article. I've got some notes made later re. 152 Sqn.; on 13/9/43 a Polish pilot called Drecki collided with a PR Spit at Millazzo East and was killed on take-off, his no. 2 was a Ron Bell flying UM-V MA454.
Drecki was in Vc ES112 UM-U ( usual a/c of c/o Bruce Ingram, the PR Spit was MB778.
This was based on research by Drecki's nephew quite recently.
Regards
Nick