Johnnie Johnson's clipped wing Spitfire

[keith A]

In Dilip Sarkars "Spitfire Ace of Aces" there's photo of several clipped wing Spitfire LFIXe of 127 Squadron taking off from Lashenden in late 1943, can anyone tell me when this type went into service and what was the serial number of Johnsons?

regards

Keith

[Allan125]

Hello Keith

As, in late 1943, 127 Squadron was operating the Hurricane IIc in the Med. area I take it you really mean 127 (RCAF) Airfield (later Wing)?

127 (RCAF) Airfield were at Lashenden from 6 to 20 August 1943, before moving to Headcorn, and then Kenley on 14 October, Tangmere on 17 April 1944 before moving to mainland Europe (B.2 Bazenville) on 16 June 1944 (source 2TAF Vol 3 - Shores & Thomas).

See also http://www3.sympatico.ca/angels_eight/ and this link http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/index.html will tell you everything you need to know about Spitfire production of the various marks.

403 were issued the XVI in December 1944 to July 1945 when they disbanded.

416 were issued the XVI in December 1944 to September 1945, when they changed to the XIV.

421 were issued the XVI in December 1944 to July 1945 when they disbanded.

443 were issued the XVI in January 1945 to January 1946, when they changed to the XIV. Source RAF Squadrons by W/C Jefford.

All changes were made on mainland Europe, and not during the Lashenden period

hope it helps?

Allan

[keith A]

Thanks Allen, sorry I did mean 127 Wing. I am afraid I am not much further on. I think it must be MA573, (also flown by George Beurling with 403 Squadron and lost in November 1943) because EN398 was his normal mount and was a Spitfire IXC. I have read that the IXe didn't arrive until 1944, although a clipped-wing Spitfire VIII was flown by Bett Houle in 1943 and so I assume MkIX versions were available. I wonder if the photograph is in error and that it's a photograph of 127 Wing in 1944?

[Allan125]

Hello Keith

Unless the squadrons in 127 (RCAF) Airfield (later 127 (RCAF) Wing) made an unnoticed "stop" at Lashenden (i.e. not entered on their ORB's) I would presume in error, perhaps Dilip Sarkar can answer that question for you, as well as confirming the mark of Spitfire as I don't have the book and cannot attempt to advise without seeing the photo.

Below is the data on MA573 and EN398 from the link I gave to you on Spitfire production.

MA573 IX CBAF M63 403S 26-6-43 Hit by flak on low level sweep nr Cambrai 13-11-43 FH172.45 P/O L C Rowe killed - note IX and not XVI

EN398 IX 3989 CHA M63 FF 13-2-43 402S 18-2-43 416S 23-3-43 Station HQ Kenley 4-4-43 AST mods 416S 16-4-43 421S 27-7-43 AST 26-8-43 CAC ops 24-9-43 AST 83GSU 23-3-44 Scottish Aviation 22-8-44 9MU 9-1-45 80OTU 24-5-45 29MU 21-3-46 sold scrap H.Bath 10-11-49 W/C Johnson shot down 16 of his final total of 34 enemy aircraft in this aircraft

I am presuming you mean Bert Houle and not Bett? "Bert" Houle was an Ace in the North Africa and Italy - http://acesofww2.com/Canada/aces/houle/ - In 1943 he was in North Africa and Italy, so in his period on 417 RCAF Squadron they were operating the Spitfire VB/VC from October 1942, and from August 1943 operating the Spitfire VIII.

cheers

Allan

[keith A]

Cheers Allan. Sorry for the typo. Bert Houle it is. I have had Hugh Halliday's excellent "The tumbling sky" since I was a boy and learned about him from there. It's now full of pencil notes over the years added from various sources .

regards

Keith