Spitfire P9374

[Tom Semenza]

Andy,

No disrespect intended. I can't recall seeing any photos of other Spits from that time with similar roundels. Curious about lack of squadron code since P9374 was on charge with 92 Sqn. from 6 March. Stranger things have happened however.

Be that as it may, I can't marvel enough at the fantastic job your team has done putting this beautiful aircraft back in flight. Hearty congratulations!

Cheers,
Tom

[Andy Saunders]

Tom

We do have photos of the aircraft on the beach that very clearly show the odd roundel configuration. Also, the GR codes had been painted out leaving just the J. Again, it is odd...but that is how it was and we are also pretty sure we know why it had GR painted out, too....but thats all in the book!

Thanks for your kind words about the aeroplane. It will be appreciated by restorer and owner!

[Larry]

Regarding the marking, have a look at Camouflage & Markings No2 - The Battle for Britain May to December1940 by Paul Lucas - Scale Aircraft Monographs.

There are other May 1940 look a likes in there to confirm thin yellow edge to the roundal

[PeterA]

P9374 would have almost cetainly have had three types of fuselage roundel applied in its brief life.

1) The factory finish Blue/Red type B at 35 inch.

2) The change to a Red/White/Blue type A at 35 inch post 23rd February 1940. And we have a shot of this coded GR-J and with no fin flash.

3) Post 16th May the fin flash was applied and in theory a type A1 Red/White/Blue/Yellow at 35 inch should have been applied. It was not. The belly landing images reveal that a non standard yellow ring, approx 2/2.5 inch wide, was just applied outside the existing type A roundel.

PeterA

[Andy Saunders]

Just an update on a publication date for the book.

I am currently working through the final page proofs and can confirm that it will be released at the Duxford Airshow on 27 May 2012. Foreword by Sqn ldr Geoffrey Wellum DFC.