Mk I Presentation Spitfire R7154 – Accrington, Church and Oswaldtwistle

I would like to thank all of you for your assistance in identifying the history of this aircraft for me. Again thank you.

Apparently coded ON-O

I have ‘30.9.41 – Engine failed South west of Cape Wrath, force landed Sandwood Bay, Sutherland, Sgt Kilburn safe.’

Geoff.

Hello folks, I was wondering if anyone could help me trace the History, Squadrons and Pilots of Mk 1 Spitfire R7154. She was a presentation Spitfire bought in 1940 by donation (Spitfire Fund) of the people of Accrington, Church and Oswaldtwistle. The photograph of the aircrafts cockpit was taken c. 1941. Can any help trace this aircraft or does anyone have any photographs or any knowledge of the spitfire’s war time history?

Hi, welcome to the forum.

The entry for this aircraft in ‘Spitfire – The History’ shows the following information:

First flight, 26 February 1941
12 MU, 1 March 1941
124 Sqn, 7 May 1941
Forced landing, Sandwood Bay, Caithness, 30 September 1941
Struck off charge, 30 March 1942

124 Sqn was reformed with Spitfire Mk 1’s at Castletown, in the extreme north of Scotland, for the defence of Scapa Flow, on 10 May 1941. It moved to Biggin Hill on 17 November 1941, having then re-equipped with Spitfire VA’s.

I have no further details than that, I’m afraid. You could try a “Google” search on 124 Sqn to see what that brings up.

Another track is to obtain copies of the 124 Sqn Operational Record Book (F540/541) for the period 1 May – 31 Oct 41, from the National Archive at Kew and check what details are recorded in there. These forms usually record which pilots flew what aircraft on whatever day.

If you ask them, the RAF Museum can also supply a copy of the Aircraft Movement Card (AM Form 78). See their website.

BR

Laurie.