140 Squadron Spitfires

[Steve49]

Can anybody confirm which type of Spitfire 140 Squadron was flying in August 1942? I think it was the PR Mk1D, but would like confirmation.

Thanks,

Regards,

Steve

[Alain57]

Hi ,

Can this help you :

GroupSquadronBaseCountyArrivedComments16140BensonOxfordshire17/09/41Formed from No. 1416 Flight. Spitfire Ia, 09/41. Spitfire C, 09/41. Blenheim IV, 09/41. Spitfire IV, 02/42. Ventura I, 02/43.


Alain

[Amrit1]

According to Jefford's "RAF Squadrons" they had Spitfire PR VII between June and July 1943.

EDIT, sorry looked at wrong date:

Jefford states Spitfire IV and Blenheim IV for that date you requested.

[Steve49]

Thanks Gent,

Was the Spitfire IV actually a typo for PR Mk1D (later redesignated PR MkIV) or was the Squadron flying the Griffon equiped Spitfire IV fighter? The former seems more likely, considering the Squadrons role as a reconnaissance unit operated by Coastal Command.

Regards,

Steve

[Fairlop]

Hi Steve,

Yes Mk IDs were later redesignated PR Mk IV. There were 229 IDs produced in total.

Regards,
Michal

[VoyTech]

Originally Posted by Steve49

Was the Spitfire IV actually a typo for PR Mk1D (later redesignated PR MkIV) or was the Squadron flying the Griffon equiped Spitfire IV fighter?

PR ID was the designation of prototypes used by No. 1 PRU. Production aircraft were called Spitfire PR.IV or simply Spitfire IV. No unit ever used the Griffon Spitfire IV (the F.IV), as only two prototypes were ever built of that variant (subsequently renamed Spitfire XX).

[Matzos]

Spitfire PR 1D, also known as PR Type D.
Conversion of Mk I for photo recce. Very long range version.
Armament removed. 57 gallon (259 l) integral fuel tanks in wing leading edges, 2 x F.24 or F.8 camera in fuselage behind pilot, 29 gallon (132 l) fuel tank behind pilot. 14 gallons (64 l) extra oil in port wing former gun-bay.
Rounded windscreen plus canopy with bulged canopy sides. 2 Mk I conversions (P9551 & P9552) plus 'production' version based on Mk V airframes as PR Mk IV

[Andy Fletcher]

You're correct Graham the PR.IV was unarmed. As you say the Type G was the only early PR Spitfire that could retain armament.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for sharing the photo with us. Can you name any of the individuals in the photo and the date it was taken.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

[oowebb]

Andy,

the best I can do on names for now is:

Back row L-R: 1. ? 2. ? 3. H. S. W Chessum 4. ? 5. C. D. Harriss St John

Middle row L-R: I don't know any!

Front row L-R: 1. ? 2. ? 3. ? 4. E. C. Le Mesurier 5. G. F. H. Webb 6. H Rigby 7. ?

I can probably add more names at a later date but I would need to check through other albums. There are planty of other photos but this happen to have been scanned onto my PC!

Nick.

ps. just spotted your addition. I'll post a full service record for my Grandfather in a while!

N