Help plse with the ID of a Spitfire

[Andy Mac]

Hi Guys,

I've just bought an original photo of a Spit - it's luurvely - but haven't a clue about it's history. The serial is P8651, it has a dark band around the spinner and I believe there is an inscription over the petrol tank 'St Helens'.

Standing beside it are a pilot and his ground crew. I'll try to attach the photo.

[Nash]

There's a bit on a 616 squadron page: http://www.redtwo.demon.co.uk/616/personnele_m.htm

Look under "McFie"

[brewerjerry]

Hi
P8651, Mk II, St Helens,
33M.U. 26-5-41, 616Sq 28-5-41, FTR Ops 5-7-41.
From spit the history, doesn't list it as a MkIIb tho', does the photo show cannon armament ?
cheers
Jerry

[Andy Mac]

Thanks guys - no cannon blisters Jerry. I have two pics, how do I post them here?

[Christer Bergström]

More:

Due to Franks, "Fighter Command Losses" (Vol. I, p. 125), F/L Colin MacFie was shot down in this Spitfire IIa on 5 July 1941.

The squadron log stated that Pilot Officer McFie, got into a dogfight with 4 Me 109's and was shot down, he baled out over Casel (Northern France), and was captured.

These German pilots each claimed a shot down Spitfire in the vicinity:

Oblt. Helmut-Felix Bolz, 5./JG 2
Lt. Egon Mayer, 7./JG 2
Oblt. Josef Priller, 1./JG 26
Lt. Robert Unzeitig, 1./JG 26
Lt. Horst Ulenberg, 2./JG 26

[Andy Mac]

Thanks Christer