Spitfire EHT
 

Hi,

W/C Eric H. Thomas DFC* the Biggin Hill Wing Leader used shortly brand new Spitfire IX in late 1942 as his personal mount. See attached picture. Does anyone know or identify the s/n please ?

TIA & regards,
Michal

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

Probably BR369.

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

BR369 Vc 2816 HPA M46 FF 14-4-42 R-RH 16-4-42 Cv IX M61 340S 'GW-R' 29-11-42 AST mods 22-2-43 341S 9-3-43 engine failed on approach Biggin Hill wheels up landing CB 25-3-43 recat E

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p029.htm

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

Gentlemen,

Thanks for reply and the tip. It seems that BR369 is not the right s/n however. This a/c appears as "GW-R" from the beginning of November in the 340 Sqn ORB. In two entries, W/C Thomas is mentioned in unknown a/c when another FAFL pilot used "R" on the same sweep.
Could be the right s/n from BS serie ?

Regards,
Michal

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

Wojtek, PM sent.

Michal

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

I'm not familiar with the ORB of 340 Sqn - does it quote both the code and serial number?
In my notes I have BR369 as EHT during summer 1942, with a question mark regarding later months of 1942. IIRC this serial-code tie-up can be found in "Combat Codes" by Andy Thomas/Vic Flintham and in "Late Marque Spitfire Aces" by Dr Alfred Price.
BS240 is a possibility, being later used by W/Cdr R.M. Milne at Biggin Hill (he was downed in it in March 1943.

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

Yes, the individual letter and s/n.


BS240 ? ... it is interesting it appeared on first 340 Sqn operation with IXs on 25/10, then 27/10, 1/11, 2/11, as "G". W/C Thomas isn´t mentioned.
Next ops on 6/11, including Thomas (with unknown s/n) shows BS247 as new "G" with 340 Sqn, and BS240 dissapeared. BS247/G participated on all another ops in November, mainly used by S/L Duperier. He previously (until 2-6/11) flew his brand new BS392 with nice nose art ... and could changed it on the same day when Thomas took over BS240. So, maybe bingo !

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

The snag is that the Spitfire in the photo you have posted does not seem to show any sign of overpainted previous codes.

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

Wojtek, yes, it occured my mind the same. EHT looks like with more extensive overpainting however. I don´t mean 7:1 mix of Sea Grey Medium 33B/157 and Night 33B/205 = "Mixed Grey" but all upper surface painting. Note the clout under roundel. Another picture of EHT, from 4 o´clock suggests too, the fuselage was overpainted.
I am not expert for factory marking but is there a chance to trace up something from detail near individual letter ? See attachement.

Michal

Re: Spitfire EHT
 

It looks like "6S" followed by several digits, which is the Supermarine construction number (I'm not sure if it's for the fuselage or the entire airframe). That's why I think the aeroplane has not been repainted, as I don't think anyone would bother re-applying it after the fuselage was repainted.