Trying to find 249 Sqn Hurricane code.

[SpitfireZPC]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to find the code letters and a serial number for a Hurricane of 249 Squadron that Butch Barton flew during the Battle of Britain.

It's for an illustration, but I can't seem to find any photos or details anyway.

Best,

Chris

[Alex Smart]

Hello Chris,
Squadron code was "GN".
A/c serial for a F/Lt R. A. Barton I have V6625 on 5th September 1940.
Sorry can't find a/c in Sqn letter.
Alex

[RSwank]

Oddly, on this link it claims that on 2 Sept 1940, Barton's plane, V6625 was coded US-K as the plane had just been taken over from 56 squadron. If Barton was shot down in that plane on 5 Sept, is it possible the plane still had those markings? (Search of V6625 on the link).

http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_parnall.htm

[Alex Smart]

Hello Ro,
Good news re "US-K" if the refs used for the code confirmation is correct then it may well be that the codes and a/c letter had not been changed by the 5th. Can this be checked out ?
"Aces High , vol 1" has -
15 Aug 40 through to 24 Aug a/c "N".
2 Sept a/c "K".
S/D in a/c "K" on the 5th Sept.
27 Sept 40 a/c "T"
Another (?) "T" on 4 Feb 41.
Followed thereafter by a/c serial numbers.
"Aces High vol 2" has -
15 Aug 40 a/c P3055.
2 Sept "US-K" , V6625.
11 Sept P3579.
15 Sept V6693.
27 Sept V6729.
29 Oct V7538.
So
15 Aug = "GN-N" = P3055.
2 Sept = "US-K" = V6625.
27 Sept = "GN-T" = V6729.

Question is - would the ground team have had V6625 and re-coded her by the 5th to "GN-K" or perhaps time to just remove the "US" code?
Alex

[SpitfireZPC]

Thank you kindly gents! So 'US-K' V6625 seems safe?

[Graham Boak]

There's a BoB story (squadron unspecified) of a visiting Hurricane Mk.II prototype having the squadron code numbers added whilst the pilot was having a cup of tea and chatting. There's another photo of a battle-damaged Spitfire with neither unit nor individual codes. So it may be possible that a previous unit's codes were retained for three days, but I doubt that it is "safe".

Similar but probably unverifiable stories: in 20 Days in May Brian Cull refers to a 607 Sq Hurricane as AF.C although it had only been taken over from a previous unit the day before. Now whatever may happen on a English airfield at the height of the BoB, I don't think it would have happened on a French airfield, and that not 607's original base, in frantic days of the early Battle of France. In Malta: The Spitfire Year, Christopher Shores (et al) refer to Beurling's 249 Sq Spitfire BR301 as UF.S, it having been left behind on Malta when 601 Sq left for the Western Desert. As this was in a quiet period, I suspect that here code retention would be unlikely.

[Many Souffan]

Hello.

On the 1st september, released from operational state to allow the transfer of aircraft and personnel to North Weald, two Flamingo's and a DH 87 from 24 Sqn. arrived to tranfer airmen and small kit (dixit form 540) and left at 11.30.
Afterwards a change was made by Cdr V.F Beamish DSO AFC, Commanding officer of Noth Weald.
Only the pilots of 249 Sqn. will come with their Hurricane to relieve the very tired pilots of 56 Sqn.

The Hurricane of 249 Sqn were equiped with the old Tr9 HF radio not suitable in the 11 Group operations. So the pilots of 56 Sqn. returned to Boscombe Down with the kites of 249 Sqn. The Hurricanes of 56 Sqn. with VHF Radio were used with their Codes (US-.) by 249 Sqn. pilots until the 5 September.

In the morning of this day the GN codes began to be paint on Hurricane of B Flight.

In the afternoon, Flt Lt Barton led his Blue section in his Hurricane V6625 always coded US-K he attacked probably A Dornier of II/ KG 2 but he was attacked by a Bf 109 E. He baled out Safely. He was avenged by Sgt Davidson (P3667/ US-?)

A little info on 15 september Sgt Palliser Got a Do 17 probable with P3615/ US-G.

Have a nice day.

[SpitfireZPC]

Thank you for the information.