Spitfire Mk IXs without codes

[Larry]

Can anyone explain why these Spitfires 'visiting' the 405th FG have no codes? The first MJ930 is at St Dizier in 1944 and MJ138 is at A-8 Picauville in summer of 1944

Incidentally MJ930 according to AB RAF Aircraft MA100-MZ999 is a Mk 9 serving in 414 or 411 Sqns but looks to be a PR version with a camera window on the fuselage?

[SMF144]

Larry,

The first one is clearly an FR and the "dude" is most likely in front of the singular letter code. If you take a look, the landing gear is at an odd angle so most likely being serviced on jacks?

Stephen

[Graham Boak]

The second one appears to have had the codes removed, so perhaps it is on its way to/from major servicing or change of ownership? I'm not sure why they would bother, whilst keeping the name, but in this case someone clearly has.

[Larry]

Strange though that they were both flying around in France, presumably with operational units! Its not as if they have nipped over from a MU in the UK to see a friend in the 9th USAAF in Southern England. I think their appearance on an airstrip used by the 405th FG was more out of necessity than anything else.

MJ138 according AB RAF Aircraft MA100-MZ999 was a Mk IX with 401/302/ 307 Sqns but I guess it was with 401 Sqn at the time of the photo.

MJ930 is listed AB Aircraft MA100-MZ999 as used by 331/414/411 Sqns of which 414 Sqn was engaged in tactical reconnaissance, which I did not realise at first, which explains the camera

[Kutscha]

MJ930
33MU 20-1-44
331S 4-3-44
FAAC 3-8-44
411S 26-4-45
sold scrap J.Dale 2-1-50

MJ138
39MU 13-10-43
401S 8-11-43
302S 18-1-45
317S 'JH-U' 8-2-45
Lost wing attacking shipping N of Wilhelmshaven 4-5-45 /Lt L Szxzerbinski killed

http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/home.html

[Larry]

Thanks - could you explain FAAC - Fleet Air Arm?

[markjsheppard]

FAAC = Flying Accident Catagory AC.

regards

MS

[Allan125]

"Lost wing attacking shipping N of Wilhelmshaven 4-5-45 /Lt L Szxzerbinski killed"- as Poland, and presumably Lt L Szxzerbinski, had been in the war from 1 September 1939 this really was a tragic loss so close to the end in europe!!

414 squadron RCAF was a photo-recce squadron that only had single letter codes

Allan

[markjsheppard]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

regards

MS