Spitfire EHT

[Fairlop]

Hi,

W/C Eric H. Thomas DFC* the Biggin Hill Wing Leader used shortly brand new Spitfire IX in late 1942 as his personal mount. See attached picture. Does anyone know or identify the s/n please ?

TIA & regards,
Michal

[VoyTech]

Probably BR369.

[Revi16]

BR369 Vc 2816 HPA M46 FF 14-4-42 R-RH 16-4-42 Cv IX M61 340S 'GW-R' 29-11-42 AST mods 22-2-43 341S 9-3-43 engine failed on approach Biggin Hill wheels up landing CB 25-3-43 recat E

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p029.htm

[Fairlop]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for reply and the tip. It seems that BR369 is not the right s/n however. This a/c appears as "GW-R" from the beginning of November in the 340 Sqn ORB. In two entries, W/C Thomas is mentioned in unknown a/c when another FAFL pilot used "R" on the same sweep.
Could be the right s/n from BS serie ?

Regards,
Michal

[Fairlop]

Wojtek, PM sent.

Michal

[VoyTech]

Originally Posted by Fairlop

It seems that BR369 is not the right s/n however. This a/c appears as "GW-R" from the beginning of November in the 340 Sqn ORB. In two entries, W/C Thomas is mentioned in unknown a/c when another FAFL pilot used "R" on the same sweep.

I'm not familiar with the ORB of 340 Sqn - does it quote both the code and serial number?
In my notes I have BR369 as EHT during summer 1942, with a question mark regarding later months of 1942. IIRC this serial-code tie-up can be found in "Combat Codes" by Andy Thomas/Vic Flintham and in "Late Marque Spitfire Aces" by Dr Alfred Price.

Could be the right s/n from BS serie ?

BS240 is a possibility, being later used by W/Cdr R.M. Milne at Biggin Hill (he was downed in it in March 1943.

[Fairlop]

ORB of 340 Sqn - does it quote both the code and serial number?

Yes, the individual letter and s/n.

BS240 is a possibility, being later used by W/Cdr R.M. Milne at Biggin Hill

BS240 ? ... it is interesting it appeared on first 340 Sqn operation with IXs on 25/10, then 27/10, 1/11, 2/11, as "G". W/C Thomas isn´t mentioned.
Next ops on 6/11, including Thomas (with unknown s/n) shows BS247 as new "G" with 340 Sqn, and BS240 dissapeared. BS247/G participated on all another ops in November, mainly used by S/L Duperier. He previously (until 2-6/11) flew his brand new BS392 with nice nose art ... and could changed it on the same day when Thomas took over BS240. So, maybe bingo !

[VoyTech]

The snag is that the Spitfire in the photo you have posted does not seem to show any sign of overpainted previous codes.

[Fairlop]

The snag is that the Spitfire in the photo you have posted does not seem to show any sign of overpainted previous codes.

Wojtek, yes, it occured my mind the same. EHT looks like with more extensive overpainting however. I don´t mean 7:1 mix of Sea Grey Medium 33B/157 and Night 33B/205 = "Mixed Grey" but all upper surface painting. Note the clout under roundel. Another picture of EHT, from 4 o´clock suggests too, the fuselage was overpainted.
I am not expert for factory marking but is there a chance to trace up something from detail near individual letter ? See attachement.

Michal

[VoyTech]

It looks like "6S" followed by several digits, which is the Supermarine construction number (I'm not sure if it's for the fuselage or the entire airframe). That's why I think the aeroplane has not been repainted, as I don't think anyone would bother re-applying it after the fuselage was repainted.