dark light

  • Mark12

Can you identify this airworthy Spitfire?

I was just filing away a bunch of B/W prints purchased on ebay a couple of months back and I came across this one. I couldn’t identify it. The prints were in the time band post BoB film up in to the mid/late 1980’s.

The key identifiers are:-

Mk IX/XI radiators
4 blade prop
Fixed or maybe locked down tail wheel
No cannons or stubs or not visible at this time.
Invasion markings
Type A underwing Roundels

After about half an hour I was finally able to pin it down.

Anybody else care to take up the challenge with supporting evidence?

Mark

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%202/xxSpitfire-01-001.jpg

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

140

Send private message

By: OFMC Fan - 11th December 2005 at 18:29

During the time these shots were taken was Ray Hanna the main pilot or were there some others.I am guessinthat Ray is the pilot in these shots.Quite a transformation in markings from a particular shot of MH434 at Booker 1970.
( the one of Ray taxying MH434 with Mark in the Cockpit)

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

20,613

Send private message

By: DazDaMan - 9th December 2005 at 08:24

Great stuff 🙂

I’d always assumed the markings I’d described were applied after the A-type roundels, not before! Oh well… :rolleyes:

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

9,127

Send private message

By: Mark12 - 8th December 2005 at 23:21

MH434…

…it is.

The over large centre red at Booker in 1972.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%202/9-MH434-59-001.jpg

A respray of the same basic scheme with the incorrect type ‘A’ roundel for 1974.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%202/9-MH434-58-001.jpg

The same scheme but with an adjustment to type ‘C’ roundels at Booker in 1976.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/Album%202/9-MH434-57-001.jpg

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

20,613

Send private message

By: DazDaMan - 8th December 2005 at 22:43

Sorry, I would have included my evidence, but had to go out.

I’d seen a photo of ‘434 with rather large-looking roundels beneath the wings. Granted, the red circle was more in keeping with the late-style markings she should have worn, but the outer blue ring was still much too large. So put 2 and 2 together….

Damned if I can think where I saw that pic, though (And I know for certain it’s not on my PC).

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

671

Send private message

By: Moondance - 8th December 2005 at 21:55

MH434, because Daz says so?

Yes, and with the evidence…Biggin Hill, 19 May 1974.

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

1,257

Send private message

By: Septic - 8th December 2005 at 20:58

How about PL983 just after the filming of Peice of Cake, had they just started cleaning off the film paint hence the D Day stripes.

Septic.

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

3,092

Send private message

By: dhfan - 8th December 2005 at 20:38

Absolutely no supporting evidence at all, and before I read Old Eagle’s post, the size and shape of the shadow under the spinner looks more like PR.XI than Mk.IX to me too. Which one I haven’t a clue.

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

482

Send private message

By: old eagle - 8th December 2005 at 20:18

The PR Spit that sat at Old Warden for some years, wasn’t that blue/invasion stripes ?
Senility stops the brain remembering the reg…..PL….?

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

4,023

Send private message

By: Yak 11 Fan - 8th December 2005 at 20:03

MH434, because Daz says so?

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

9,127

Send private message

By: Mark12 - 8th December 2005 at 20:00

MH434?

“Anybody else care to take up the challenge with supporting evidence?”

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

20,613

Send private message

By: DazDaMan - 8th December 2005 at 19:32

MH434?

Sign in to post a reply