Mystery Spitfire Photo

[Chris Goss]

This is part of a PK photo published 14 Feb 41 and taken on the Channel Coast. The only possibilities from start of 1941 were a PRU Spitfire on 17 Jan (crashed north of Marquise), two 65 Sqn and a 611 Sqn losses on 5 Feb 41 (one of which must have come down in the sea and another at Neufchateau) and two from 66 Sqn on 11 Feb 41. Experts so far have drawn a blank but noticed the blades have been cut off. Any other thoughts?

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

The only possibilities from start of 1941 were a PRU Spitfire on 17 Jan (crashed north of Marquise)

Hi Chris,

I think you can probably discount the 1 PRU loss of 17 Jan 41. That machine, R6906, was a Type C and therefore carried no wing armament.

Best regards

Andy Fletcher

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Andy-this helps narrow it down furtherr

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Looks to have an early scheme, straight edge along the leading edge, and no yellow strip either. A BoF machine that has been picked over by the time the image was taken? Has this image been cropped? Very odd size...

[Chris Goss]

It has been cropped by me. Possibly Dunkirk crash but why would the war reporter photograph something 9 months later (and why was it still there)?

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

It has been cropped by me. Possibly Dunkirk crash but why would the war reporter photograph something 9 months later (and why was it still there)?

Many reasons, I guess; possibly be the first time he saw/photographed a Spitfire. Maybe the wreck was in an out of the way place, or it was a trophy left in situ by the Germans. Was it dragged to another location?

Are you implying the publication date is close to the date it was photographed? What if the film was developed later or the image put aside and used later?

You really now have my curiosity over the identity of this Spit.

[Chris Goss]

PK photos were generally published within a month of being taken. This one was published 14 Feb 41

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

With the blades having been sawed off, are we seeing a Rotol equipped Spitfire? Could this further identify it?

[paulmcmillan]

Also why are all the blades cut off? - I would image to make it easier to move - So has the aircraft been moved from its original force landing area or have they been removed to make the move easier to happen in future

[bearoutwest]

Have the guns been removed? Normally expect to see the barrel-muzzle of at least one of the Brownings from that angle.
Did the modified PRU 'C' wings have factory faired over gun-placements or just doped/fabric covered gun slots?


Props could have been cut off roughly for souvenirs.