Two Spitfires with LY code captured in 1940

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

In going over some images in the EOE data base, I find what appear to be two PRU Spitfires with the LY code that are in German hands. One apparently was taken when a plane force-landed in France on August 17, 1940, and two others show what I thought were the same aircraft with wheels down, possibly on display. There are subtle differences between them, however, which leads me to believe that there may have been two different PRU Spits that force landed in German-controlled areas during 1940.

Does anyone have any insight into this?

Thanx,

[Andy Saunders]

Hi Larry!

Seems an age since we sat chatting over a coffee here in Sussex!

I used to have an original shot of what I think was the aircraft you are talking about and it showed two or three German soldiers with it. I surmised, I think, that it was K9791 of PDU/1 PRU as I could not come up with another "candidate". This was F/Sgt Taylor-Gill, POW. My photo came from a JG 27 pilot and was presumably taken by him - not that this helps any!
Somewhere I have seen pics of it on display. At least, presumably the same aeroplane?

Andy Saunders

[Revi16]

Here's a Captured Spitfire list,

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/fo...?showtopic=310

Regards,
Mike

[Fairlop]

Larry,

The crash-landed Spitfire should be almost sure K9791 failed to return from a sortie over the Ruhr on 17/8/1940. F/S J.D.T. Taylor-Gill becoming POW.
I know three pictures of that machine with wheels down, displayed at the "Victory in the West" exhibition in Vienna at the end of 1940.

Hope this helps,
Michal

[montana]

I remember reading there were two Spitfire type C based at Seclin before 10 May 1940. One (P9308) crashed at Templeuve (Belgium) on 19/5/40 and the pilot (P/O John H. Coleman) was killed. The other was under repair and captured by the Germans in a hangar at Seclin.

Rgds.

[Brian]

Hi Larry

I have a note that Spit PR1C P9331 of 212 Squadron suffered a glycol leak following take-off from Meaux near Paris on 7 June 1940, and force-landed at Champagne airfield near Reims (believe F/Lt Wilson, pilot). French were asked to destroy it but failed to do so and captured intact by Germans.

Cheers and Happy New Year
Brian

[Chris Goss]

I have somewhere a scan of a P registered PDU Spit in a hangar after being captured

[SteveB]

I am surprised that the new book by Wojtek Matusiak has not yet had a mention. "Merlin PR Spitfires" ISBN 0-9582296-2-7 details are at
http://www.venturapublications.com/s...9e1ain3e47u8f1 and on the Mushroom Model site.

This book, which is up to Wojtek's usual high standard, includes details and photos of three captured LY coded PR Spitfires K9791, X4385 and X4712.

Happy New Year to everybody

Steve

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

From the LEMB link they must be X4712 and X4385.
Both were coded LY.

Alex

[Fairlop]

Hello,

Just today I found another view / photo of K9791 displayed in Vienna. See this link http://cgi.ebay.de/Orig-Foto-Flugzeu...QQcmdZViewItem
A chase on E-bay can grow ...

Regards,
Michal