7.IAK PVO (Leningrad) with Spitfire in January 1944?
 

According to a french scan, this unit had 5 Spitfire in its equipment among with Hurris, P-40, La5, Yak1, Yak7 and Airacobras. Looks like a wild mix...

Can anyone confirm the Spitfires? It is possible that they served within 26.GIAP (PVO).

Re: 7.IAK PVO (Leningrad) with Spitfire in January 1944?
 

according to Carl-frederik Geust's Red Stars Volume 4 Lend-lease...
on page 191 under the heading "known Spitfire operators"
PVO:
-2GIAK (7IAK Leningrad) 11GIAP (MK IX 1945) 26GIAP(ex 26 IAP ;
MK VB and IX 1944-)27GIAP (MK IX 1944-),102 GIAP(MK IX 1945)

so the real question is what mark of spitfire and when ?

Re: 7.IAK PVO (Leningrad) with Spitfire in January 1944?
 

I think there is something to add to the data of Mr. Geust :eek: .

There is a source saying that there were Spit_V's starting in June 1943:
http://www.allaces.ru/cgi-bin/s2.cgi...ct/p/iap26.dat

There are even some claims by I/JG54 in 1943 before that date, but claims are definitely not more then a hint.