Identity of Crash Landed Spitfire I Dunkirk

[kaki3152]

I hate it when I buy a book for one picture! The book is "Spitfire Life of the Legend" by Robert Jackson, a coffee table book marketed through Barnes & Noble. Luckily I got it for $2 plus S&H
This picture of a crash landed Spitfire I with early 1940 markings,probably on Dunkirk beach. Any ideas?

[Dan Johnson]

I do believe that is P9374 that just flew after an extensive restoration. One heck of a coincidence that you ask right as it flew

Where's Andy Saunders when we need em?

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/sho...d.php?t=110762

[Andy Saunders]

Yes, indeed!

P9374, which flew again for the first time just two days ago.

There will shortly be a site dedicated to P9374.

I will post a link once I know the web address.

[SpitfireZPC]

Hi guys, couple of quick questions about P9374 -

Did it not sport the codes 'GR-J' over Dunkirk? I just wondered why the restoration only has the letter 'J' on it.

Also, I read in The Battle of France: Then and Now that it was found in 1981, but I've been told it was in 1980.

Any insights would be appreciated!

Cheers,

Chris

[Andy Saunders]

No, just the letter 'J'.

The GR codes had been removed and I offer a theory as to why in my book "Spitfire P9374".

It was discovered in 1980. Recovered in 1981.

[SpitfireZPC]

Cheers Andy.

[Buffnut453]

At the time of Dunkirk, 92 Sqn was changing from GR to QV unit code letters so it's feasible that P9374 had its GR letters removed prior to QV being applied. Equally, depending on when the aircraft arrived on the Squadron, it could simply have had "J" applied as an individual marking because there wasn't time to apply all the markings. Dunno which option is the most likely.