Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

Can anyone explain why these Spitfires 'visiting' the 405th FG have no codes? The first MJ930 is at St Dizier in 1944 and MJ138 is at A-8 Picauville in summer of 1944

Incidentally MJ930 according to AB RAF Aircraft MA100-MZ999 is a Mk 9 serving in 414 or 411 Sqns but looks to be a PR version with a camera window on the fuselage?

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

Larry,

The first one is clearly an FR and the "dude" is most likely in front of the singular letter code. If you take a look, the landing gear is at an odd angle so most likely being serviced on jacks?

Stephen

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

The second one appears to have had the codes removed, so perhaps it is on its way to/from major servicing or change of ownership? I'm not sure why they would bother, whilst keeping the name, but in this case someone clearly has.

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

Strange though that they were both flying around in France, presumably with operational units! Its not as if they have nipped over from a MU in the UK to see a friend in the 9th USAAF in Southern England. I think their appearance on an airstrip used by the 405th FG was more out of necessity than anything else.

MJ138 according AB RAF Aircraft MA100-MZ999 was a Mk IX with 401/302/ 307 Sqns but I guess it was with 401 Sqn at the time of the photo.

MJ930 is listed AB Aircraft MA100-MZ999 as used by 331/414/411 Sqns of which 414 Sqn was engaged in tactical reconnaissance, which I did not realise at first, which explains the camera

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

MJ930
33MU 20-1-44
331S 4-3-44
FAAC 3-8-44
411S 26-4-45
sold scrap J.Dale 2-1-50

MJ138
39MU 13-10-43
401S 8-11-43
302S 18-1-45
317S 'JH-U' 8-2-45
Lost wing attacking shipping N of Wilhelmshaven 4-5-45 /Lt L Szxzerbinski killed

http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/home.html

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

Thanks - could you explain FAAC - Fleet Air Arm?

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

FAAC = Flying Accident Catagory AC.

regards

MS

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

"Lost wing attacking shipping N of Wilhelmshaven 4-5-45 /Lt L Szxzerbinski killed"- as Poland, and presumably Lt L Szxzerbinski, had been in the war from 1 September 1939 this really was a tragic loss so close to the end in europe!!

414 squadron RCAF was a photo-recce squadron that only had single letter codes

Allan

Re: Spitfire Mk IXs without codes
 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

regards

MS