Malta Spitfire V coded F-A

[Tom Semenza]

In Brian Cull's Spitfires Over Malta there is a photo of two Spitfire Vs in formation. One is from 249 Sqn. coded 'T-B'. The leader is flying one coded 'F-A' whose serial appears to be 'ER93?' with the last digit obscured. I would guess that this was flown by a Wing Commander. Any idea who? Presumably not 'Fanny Adams' or something even ruder!

Thanks,
Tom

[Buckeye30]

Hi Tom this was ER934 ( Mk.Vc). See attached.
Regards Nick

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205211269

[Buckeye30]

A quick note; T-B ( (BP983 ) was transferred from 249 on Malta to N.W. Africa, to 92 Sqn. Jan. 1943 probably in Tunisia; ER934 from Malta to M. E. Command same time , to 73 OTU. ( Egypt).( maybe instructor's aircraft ?).
Nick

[Graham Boak]

I have seen it said that these aircraft/codes belong to 73 OTU in Egypt, and that is where these photos belong.

[SteveB]

In "Combat Codes" by V Flintham and A Thomas it is suggested (with a ?) that the single letter code 'F' was used by 185Sqn on their Spitfire VC flying from Malta in 1942.

Steve

[Graham Boak]

I think there's some doubt about that - however, 249 sq was quite insistent on repainting their Spitfires, so a photo of a desert-camouflaged Spit carrying 249's T codes would be pretty special in itself.

[Tom Semenza]

Thanks, guys.