Eventual Fate of Spitfire N3277

[Chris Goss]

N3277 was captured 15 Aug 40, repainted in German markings with the letter A and then flown presumably to Rechlin. Did it become CJ+ZY and was it then fitted with a DB601? Other sources say it was EN830 which was fitted with a DB 605

[Buckeye30]

HI Chris. CJ-ZY was marked with the RAF serial very small above the serial, not quite visible but 2 letters and 3 numbers so not N3277. Gert Heumann (Germany correspondent for "Flying Review") in a May 1965 article identified her as EN830 fitted with DB605A engine no. 00701990 (might be possible to confirm that).
N3277 was probably the Mk.1 meant to have a DB601 on 24 April 1941 but abandoned.


Regards
Nick

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Nick-most helpful

[Buckeye30]

N3277 was sent to the D-B aero-engine factory at Backnang but they didn't have facilities to fit the 601.
EN830 lasted until 14 Aug. 44 when destroyed at the Echterdingen test centre in an Eighth AF attack also targeting Sindelfingen D-B plant both Primary Targets. This was Mission 552, 1st. Div. B-17s.
All 3 in Stuttgart area.


Nick

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Nick. An article dated 1966 (!) confirms all of this including when N3277 went back to Rechlin. The puzzle now is the Spitfire s used for propaganda purposes with the two colour wing undersurfaces

[Buckeye30]

Hi Chris. By 2-colour do you mean black port wing ordered until June 11? There are a couple of photos of P9317, 1 with cockades 1 with crosses.
Cockades should not have been on undersides officially until 11th but there were exceptions when flown over France.

Nick

[Chris Goss]

Correct Nick

[Buckeye30]

Chris I think P9317 most likely, considering markings. G-X in the propaganda material had non-standard RAF insignia and possibly a smoke device in front of the tailwheel. Both had "B" scheme camo.
Regards
Nick


https://asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/RAF...n-1940-07.html


https://asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/RAF...ptured-01.html

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Nick

[Chris Goss]

It appears that last mention was when it was with 5./Jagdfliegerschule 5 at Bernay in 1942 which in late 1942 became Jagdlehrer-Überprüfungsgruppe. Last record end of March 1943