Spitfire IX RK858-Russian AF

[kaki3152]

The Fighter Collection at Duxford has a Spitfire IX, serial number RK858 which was recovered in Russia. The aircraft was produced in October 44 and delivered to the USSR on December 1944.
As far as i know, the only VVS units that used Spitfire IXs in action were the 26th and 27th GIAP in the Leningrad front. It would appear that this Spitfire IX belonged to one of these units. Can anyone provide more info?

[bearoutwest]

Do you know of this site?
http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/englis...spit/index.htm

Not quite specific about RK858, but much on Soviet use of Spitfires.

Regards,
...geoff

[DavidIsby]

Yefim Gordon's book on Soviet Airpower identifies regiments with Spitfire IXs deployed near Moscow and Murmansk.

I believe that while Spitfire IXs gave good service for the Soviets, they never shot down any aircraft.

There also remain the reports that, postwar, the Soviets turned over a number of Spitfires to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force, who at the time were running units of P-51 and Mossies and so were familiar with (Packard) Merlins.

[markjsheppard]

Believe it was lost in 1946.

Post GPW records are still classified I believe.

I think the name of the pilot is known though cannot recall the unit.

regards

Mark