Spitfires Mk.Ib in No 92 Squadron

[Dominik]

Hi All

I think Uncle Google is not my best friend and other websites don't like me. I was looking for information when 92 squadron received its Spitfires Mk.Ib. I also tried the site with production list but I only found two or three. Can any of TOCH members help me with this issue.

Thank you in advance.

Dominik

[udf_00]

F/L Villa claimed a Bf 109E on 1 Dec 1940 flying a cannon-armed Spitfire (Aces High, Kent bio)
http://oldrafrecords.com/
ORB has him flying R6833
http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p010.html
R6833 (recorded as Mk Ia ?) to 92 Sqdn 12 Nov 1940

[Larry]

So I understand only 30 cannon armed Spitfire 1bs were made/ modified and doesn't help that they were later updated to Mark V

These are the known Spitfire Mk Ib with cannons that I can find so far;

R6761, R6770, R6776, R6778
R6809, R6833, R6888, R6889,
R6890, R6897, R6904, R6908,
R6911, R6917, R6919, R6923,
R6958

Most of these started out with 19 Sqn and R6923 also moved to 92 Sqn.

All we need now is the other 13 serial numbers.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Larry

Checking the Ib you state with Jim Halley's lists in Aeromilitaria, he states the following Rxxxx were Mk Ib

R6713, R6761, R6762, R6770, R6776,
R6809, R6833, R6882, R6889, R6890,
R6897, R6904, R6908, R6911, R6912,
R6917, R6918?, R6919, R6923, R6924,
R6957, R6958, R6960 (total: 22 or 23)

In the Xxxxx range I have only found the following
X4231, X4257, X4272, X4280, X4342,
X4561 (total 6)

Not verified in these lists are "your"
R6778 and R6888

The funny thing is that if we include R6778 and R6888 we do get the total of either 30 or 31, but I rely on Halley, what do you rely on?

Cheers
Stig

[Stig Jarlevik]

PS: 92 Sq received the following Spitfire Ib

R6761: (RR on 3.2.1941 cv to Va) 14.8.1941
R6770: 8.3.1941 (to RR on 30.3.1941)
R6776: (RR on 10.2.1941cv to Vb) 3.3.1941
R6833: 12.11.1940 (to RR 16.2.1941 cv to Vb) back to 92 Sq 26.2.1941
R6882: 7.3.1941 (to RR on 2.5.1941 cv to Vb) back to 92 Sq 11.5.1941
R6890: (RR on 8.2.1941 cv to Vb) 8.3.1941
R6897: (RR on 11.1.1941 cv to Vb) 3.3.1941
R6904: 22.1.1941 (to RR on 16.2.1941 cv to Vb)
R6908: 14.11.1940 (to RR on 16.2.1941 cv to Vb) back to 92 Sq 28.2.1941
R6919: 22.1.1941 (to RR on 16.2.1941 cv to Vb) back to 92 Sq 26.2.1941
R6923: 28.11.1940 (to RR on 7.4.1941 cv to Vb) back to 92 Sq 15.4.1941
R6924: (to 6 MU 21.11.1941 cv to IIb) 22.1.1941
R6960: (to RR 5.2.1941 cv to Vb) 26.3.1941
X4257: (to RR 10.2.1941 cv to Vb)16.2.1941
X4272: 22.1.1941 (to RR 19.2.1941 cv to Vb) back to 92 Sq 2.3.1941
X4342: (to RR 11.1.1941) 13.3.1941
X4561: 1.12.1940

Cheers
Stig

[Larry]

My source of info is Michael J Bowyer in Aircraft of the Few by PSL in which he lists 19 Sqn Cannon armed Spitfires in the BoB none of which would have been Mk V at that time. I have JJ Halley's complete works too and as an AB member I can vouch for the work he did / does on them.

[Dominik]

Stig and Larry, thank you for your assistance. It'll be very helpful with the work I'm writing now. Strange thing is the Stig's list where those Mark Ibs asre quoted as Mark Vs in February as, if my memory works ok, they started receiving first Spitfires Mk.Vb at the end of March (I'm at work now so can't check my sources).

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Larry

Yes I have Michael's book as well, but relied totally on Halley. No idea why they differ, since I do believe both must have read the same record cards....

Dominik
What is stated in my list is what has been taken from the aircraft's record cards. How accurate in every detail I cannot say, which means you have to check them yourself or get help from someone who has copies of them.
Unfortunately I was too quick with some of the statements as I notice various faults in the 92 Sq lists, which I will amend (if possible). At least one aircraft went back and forth to Rolls Royce for some reason which I missed and I also stated one aircraft as a Vb on the wrong line)

I will go though them again and add the Rolls Royce dates as well and also correct my mistakes

Cheers
Stig

[Dominik]

So I'll have to save some money on those Halley's books.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Dominik

Before you buy any books by Halley the details I have given is not there.
Jim also writes quite a bit for Air Britain and the notes I used was from a publication called Aeromilitaria. You have to be a member to get it (including back issues)

Cheers
Stig