Good morning all
Thank you for this enriching exchange which highlights the interest of the drivers of Free France in the RAF.
In addition, I am very interested in collecting information which would be unknown to me, on the Spitifire POPOCATEPELT.
After verifications, I do not find any trace of it (see below). on the other hand, I would be very happy with any new information on sources or photos which would establish the presence of the Spitfire V W3803 within the "Groupe Ile de France" (340 sqd), information that I cannot confirm today.
Robert Coly arrived at 340 sqd. September 15, 1942. He arrived at the same time as Paul Hubidos and Robert Oury. (source: form 540 340 sqd, 15.09.42)
no trace of accident at this date when the unit carries out naval patrol flights in the Margate sector.
the squadron's form 541 does not mention the presence of this device within the unit in the time segment from the end of June to September 15, 1942.
Finally, the Spitfire Vs which flew on September 15, 1942 are the following:
AB849 BL757 BM905 BL469 BL566 AB 828 BL757 BL878 BM343 AD513 EN908 AB988
The pilots who made a flight are: Guignard, Kerlan, Gibert, Héliès, Massart, Renaud, Chauvin, Reeve, Schloesing, Fournier, Kennard.
A priori, there is no room for a possible presence of this aircraft at this time in the Ile de France Group.
according to "Spitfire the History" (Eric Morgan & Edward Schacklady), the W3803 did indeed have an accident but not the 340 sqd.
I also did not notice any mention of the presence of this airplane at 340 in this book, whose data are available on the web.
https://allspitfirepilots.org/aircraft/W3803
Robert Coly arrived at the unit on the 15 sept 42, and it is not customary to fly a pilot the same day who presents himself at the end of his transfer.
he arrives from the 132 sqd that he left on September 9, no doubt he was on leave at the home of the French Wings in London.
there are many errors in Forms 540 and 541. they are noted regularly.
Every day, I use to do some mistakes too.
but here, no source known to me indicates the presence of this plane in 340 sqd.
I would have been happy with an error, the Spitfire POPOCATEPELT would have been welcome in the collection of Spitfire photos from Free France.
But all of the elements cited discard this track.
Are you able to offer me sources on this subject?
Best regards
fred