First Captured Flyable Spitfire

[Chris Goss]

Although a number crash-landed following combat damage/seized engines, was the first flyable Spitfire N3277/AZ-H of 234 Sqn captured 15 Aug 40?

[Graham Boak]

As I understand, a PR Spitfire was captured in May 1940. This presumably was unserviceable. Its loss (despite ignored earlier orders to evacuate) was one of the reasons why the RAF fell out with Sydney Cotton .

[udf_00]

K9867 ZP°J 74 Sqn. Calais-Marck 26? MAY 1940
P9317 ZD°A 222 Sqn. Le Touquet 1? JUNE 1940
P9331 212 Sqn. Reims-Champagne 11? JUNE 1940

[Chris Goss]

Thanks for this. The 74 and 222 Sqn aircraft landed as a result of combat with no engine (as did K9977 on 21 May-K9867 was 23 May and P9317 was 1 June). The photos I have seen of the captured recce Spit show it in bits in a hangar. Therefore I believe these were non-flyers whilst N3277 was definitely a flier

[udf_00]

Seems there was a memo dated on 9 AUG 1940 following comparison flights at E-Stelle Rechlin and involving at least a Spitfire.
http://www.kurfurst.org/Tactical_tri...g_Aug1940.html

[kaki3152]

Chris,

I was under the impression the P9317, 222 Squadron was the first flyable Spitfire I. Not sure about the reason it made a wheels down landing. I have about ten or more pictures of this A/C and there doesn't appear to be any visible battle damage.

[edwest2]

An old thread that I hope will help:


http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=30755





Ed

[Chris Goss]

Falkus suffered battle damage and landed at Le Touquet but what happened then to his ac is not known. It reinforces my assumption that the first guaranteed flyable Spitfire was Hardy's as there are photos of it in German markings; I have seen no other Mk Is marked so?

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

The photos I have seen of the captured recce Spit show it in bits in a hangar. Therefore I believe these were non-flyers whilst N3277 was definitely a flier

Hi Chris,

P9331 landed at Rheims/Champagne on 07 Jun 40 with a glycol leak and fuel shortage. The French had rendered the airfield u/s with obstacles but no damage was done during landing. 212 Sqn were unable to recover the aircraft and despite requests for the French to destroy the aircraft it was later captured intact by the Germans.

If the aircraft was only suffering from a coolant leak it seems highly likely the Germans would have been able to return it to flyable condition.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Kaiyan]

Hi, Thought I would add my 2p worth...this is from my notes...there are several pics of ZD-A BEING PAINTED UP AND EMERGING AS ZD+A before being flown to Riechlin where it became 2+1

I'll try to upload pics when next on line..


sorry sticky key board.




Spitfire 2+1

1. 23.05.40 K9867 of 74 Sqdn 'ZP-J' Sqdn/Ldr F.L.White.
a/c hit in radiator(see dark streak on fuselage in photo's) he force landed at Calais Marck airfield and was subject of the now famous rescue in a Magister.This Spitfire is always quoted as the first in captivity.
Perhaps because of the closeness of the dates the earlier one has gone unnoticed.

K9867 was definitely not 2+1

An article states:-

Although Spitfire I K9867 ZP-J was the first to be captured it was not the first to be captured intact.
Not only was the radiator damaged but upon detailed inspection it was found that the heavy landing had caused the fuselage skin to ripple distorting the airframe slightly.

2. 01.06.40 P9317 of 222 sqdn 'ZD-A' P/O H.E.L.Falkust.force landed in the Calais marck area and became a POW.

SEEN IN GERMAN MARKINGS ZD+A

3. 07.06.40 P9331 (PR.Ib) of 212 sqd.
ALSO
was definitely not 2+1 was abandoned following a force landing in the Calais marck area and was taken by advancing troops some four days later.
OR
Spitfire Mk.PR.Ib 212 Sqd. captured in a French hangar May 1940

4. The Germans had to wait until 01.06.40 to get a really flyable Spitfire in their hands.

This was P9317 of No.222 Squadron with Plt. Offr. Falkhurst landing at Le Touquet with the wheels down and no fuel.The aircraft was shipped to Rechlin airfield and with the Germans marking of 2+1 it flew in German hands until August, when it was destroyed in a crash landing.

So according to this article 2+1 was P9317.

Reply 2+1 = P9317

As i said cant recall where i got the other ref from as it was so long ago.
Your input re-P9317 is with all the extra detail would look to be on the the mark.