Spitfire's first(?) Pilot ?

[Alex Smart]

Having a small problem in finding the name of a Spitfire's first(?) Pilot. The one who flew it from the "factory " to its first Squadron.
Would it have been a Pilot that worked for the "factory", an ATA or a Pilot sent by the Squadron to collect it ?

Thanks
Alex

[Buckeye30]

In most cases flown from factory (first to an MU for checks etc.) by an ATA pilot from one of the Ferry Pools; from 1939 to 43 they came under Ferry Command, then Transport Command. ATA had an Advanced FTS at their HQ at White Waltham, Berks. At various times housed Nos. 3 and 1 Ferry Pilots Schools.


Nick

[paulmcmillan]

What about initial test flights at factory

[Chris Goss]

ATA was not formed until after the war started so could not have delivered first Spitfires

[Chris Goss]

From Geoffrey Sinclair:


Test pilots at Supermarine pre-war included Joseph Summers, George Pickering and Jeffrey Quill while Alex Henshaw joined after the war began. Henshaw was moved to head of test pilots for the Castle Bromwich. As production grew the system evolved so pilots tended to serve tours at the factories. Some books,

Sigh for a Merlin by Alex Henshaw

Spitfire: A Test Pilot's Story and Birth of a Legend: The Spitfire by Jeffrey Quill.

[Alex Smart]

Thank you Gentlemen for your help. The aircraft in mind was a named one. Have searched the Squadrons it was with for names up to the date of its loss, Pilot was rescued from the channel. So am looking now for its first eary days pilot(s) to complete the task.

[Alex Smart]

Thank you Gentlemen for your help.
The aircraft was a Vc from a Westland Contract number B124305/40, from September 1941
38MU, October 1942 then to 130 Sqdn also October 42.
So anything of "factory" pilots from there around that month or 38 MU ?
Thanks

[Col Bruggy]

Alex,

Would you, by any chance, be referring to Spitfire Vc EE641 "BOROUGH OF FALMOUTH"?

Col.

[Alex Smart]

Hi Col, Correct as usual