Big X's Spitfire
 

Greetings all.

As I understand it, S/L Roger Bushell (Big X, Great Escape, et al) was shot down 23 May 1940 in Spitfire Mk I sr. N3194.

Also shot down that day was Paul Klipsch, also of 92 Sqn, in the same vicinity.

Question: was Bushell's Spitfire coded GR-Z (a common, but not the most common practice of Squadron Leaders at the time)? if not -Z, then what?

I believe the BBC's "Time Team" unearthed one of these Spitfires in 1999/2000. Was it GR-Z? Was it N3194? Both? Did they get it right? (Meaning, did they somehow put Klipsch in Bushell's Spit?)

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

Bushell's aircraft was N3194 and he set fire to it after belly-landing 'just to the east of Boulogne' having got on the wrong end of a Bf110 of II./ZG76. Klipsch fell in the same combat impacting at Wierre-Effroy in P9373 to become subject of the Time Team recovery in 1999. Gillies (N3290) was also shot down in this action, with Paddy Green (N3167) only just making it back to Manston badly wounded. Having already lost Pat Learmond (P9370) over Dunkirk earlier that morning, 23 May 1940 provided a particularly inauspicious introduction to combat for No.92 Squadron. So, no they didn't get it wrong - those involved in the dig are far too experienced & well-informed to trip over such details.

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

Maybe I was not clear as I do trip over the details from time to time.

Was Bushell flying GR-Z or do we know?

Whenever I do a search on Google for "Spitfire N3194" the blasted "Time Team" pops up. In the articles they do not give the serial number of Paul Klipsch's Spitfire. Having not seen one of their shows I have no idea what they're about. One can only imagine that they are very good at what they do.

One of the gate guard's outside the RAF Memorial Chapel at Biggin Hill is a Spitfire Mk IX (tall tail) with the codes GR-Z and the serial N3194 painted on.

Bushell, of course, flew a Mk I in May 1940.

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

One thing that's not mentioned in the Time Team programme is that a set of maps was found in the wreckage with Bushells signature on.

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

Hi all,

I just happened to be 'cruising' and noted the post, two years is a bit late with an answer but, for what it is worth. I have a photo of Roger Bushell's Spitfire lying near Boulogne. the serial is N3194 92 sq code at that time is GR-Z.

The photo is very interesting in it self as it 'tells' the whole story, ( a photo is worth a thousand words!)

The GRP a/c at Biggin Hill is as close as you will get regarding all markings.

Mervyn.

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

Hello,
Re Bushell's Spitfire.
Mervyn, you say that you have a photo that shows his Spitfire to be "GR-Z" which is the accepted code as far as I am aware.
However, in Decembers Aviation News there is on page 82, a Corgi Letter of the month PRIZE : a 1/72 scale model of a Spitfire Mk 1, N31914 "GR-P" of 92 Sqdn flown by S/L Roger Bushell.
OK the serial number N31914 is probably a typo error but what about the a/c letter being "P" and not "Z" ?
Alex

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

Hi,

Definitively GR-Z

Source : ex-ebay photo

bertrand

Attachment 9429

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

All their digs are available to watch online: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/4od

IIRC they had W/C Bob Doe along for this dig. I'd say it was worth watching.

Re: Big X's Spitfire
 

Hello Bertrand,
Thank you for sharing the e-bay image
"Z" it is.
Alex

Re: Big X's Spitfire