Hi all.
Any help on this subject, and I owe you big.
Today, continuing with the clearout of stuff in my house, I came across all the stuff my Mum had kept of my Grandad’s from WWII. He served on HMS Belfast in the Battle of the Atlantic, amongst other battles in the war.
In the collection of stuff, was all his papers and telegrams that he recieved. Medical papers from when he was shot in the knee and the skull.
I found a very old picture of a Spitfire in the collection too. My Mum said that it was given to my Grandad by his brother about 5 years after the war ended.
Pictured below, is W3170, said to be the “Henley Spitfire”.
A few questions which I wonder if anyone here could answer?
1. Why is it called the Henley Spitfire?
2. Is it still around today? If so whats its current state.
Any info or up to date pictures of it, and like I said I will owe you one.
Many thanks guys.
By: Mark12 - 24th August 2003 at 21:57
From the guru:-
We have W3170 as ‘Henley-on-Thames and District’
By: A330Crazy - 22nd August 2003 at 12:43
Geoff cheers mate, i’ll do that, thanks for the email addy. 🙂
Lets hope I get some good info back…fingers crossed.
By: von Perthes - 22nd August 2003 at 07:36
A330crazy,
I suggest that you e-mail Henry Boot, author of the forthcoming AirBritain ‘bible’ on presentation Spitfires, and a mate of mine. His e-mail address is- [email]enboot@yahoo.com[/email] Anything you want to know on presentation Spitfires he’s your man.
He’s always on the lookout for photos of presentation Spitfires, so it would be a good idea to attach a copy of your photo to the e-mail. You never know, it might be one he hasn’t got a photo of.
Geoff.
By: Moggy C - 21st August 2003 at 23:39
If you are headed for Henley the rowing museum might be worth a visit. The following piece gives a start date for a special exhibition, but not a finish date
“FROM the legendary Dunkirk Little Ships to soaring Spitfires, Thames at War: Secrets, Spies and Spitfires, which opens at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames on April 11, 2003, provides a fascinating insight into the strategic importance of the River Thames as a crucial line of defence, as well as the vital role played by the riverside communities during the Second World War.”
Moggy
By: kev35 - 21st August 2003 at 23:30
Andy.
Just to add to Moggy’s excellent information, P/O Skalski was captured. If you go up to Henley-on-Thames go through the old newspapers for the dates Moggy has given you. They are probably on microfilm now which makes things easier. If they have a history centre check their photographic archive and even the minutes for council meetings. I believe the amount required for a ‘presentation’ Spitfire was 5,000 pounds.
Just a shot in the dark but could the second line be ‘Dartford’?
Regards,
kev35
By: A330Crazy - 21st August 2003 at 23:24
Moggy cheers for that mate. Quite a sad fate it had. I will still go up to Henley on Monday to see if I can find anymore on it.
I’ll let you know of my findings on Monday evening.
Thanks once again for taking your time to help me, its greatly appreciated. 🙂
By: Moggy C - 21st August 2003 at 23:19
Not finished yet!
On 27 August, there was a major No. 11 Group operation over France, of two linked circuses, designated numbers 85 and 86, which were scheduled to take place that morning.
Circus 86’s target was Lille Power Station, which was to be attacked by 9 Blenheim bombers of No. 2 Group’s 18 Squadron, escorted by 11 fighter squadrons. Preceding the Lille attack by a full 55 minutes, Circus 85 was designed to provide a diversionary attack on Longuenesse Aerodrome at St. Omer by four Blenheim bombers of 139 Squadron, escorted by a further 12 squadrons of fighters.
One of the losses noted for the latter op, No 85 was:
Spitfire Vb W3170. P/O H Skalski of 72 Squadron. Failed to return.
Moggy
Looks like the bits will be buried deep in the soil around St Omer.
By: A330Crazy - 21st August 2003 at 23:14
Thanks for the info Moggy
Its very helpful. I’ve decided im gonna take a trip up to Henley on Monday next week to see if I can find out anymore on this spit.
If anyone else comes up with anything, please gimmie a shout.
Im trying now to work out what the writing on the fuselage says too… got the top line worked out,
“Henley on Thames”
But as for the second im stumped… looks as if the word “Dart” is in the text?
Cheers again Moggy. 🙂
By: Moggy C - 21st August 2003 at 22:54
Sorry, I’ve edited the info above, but I must say it’s far less interesting.
It was ordered as a Mk1, may have started construction as a Mk2, but it very definitely falls into the serial batch that were actually produced as Mk V..
Moggy
By: Mark12 - 21st August 2003 at 22:53
Moggy,
That will be W3170 ‘Henley-On-Thames’.
A new book is in preparation on Presentation aircraft, the bulk of which were Spitfires. It is by Henry Boot edited by Ray Sturtivant. Air Britain etc.
Mark
By: A330Crazy - 21st August 2003 at 22:50
Guys thanks for the help… redtop I found it on the list on the site you gave, W3170 but it doesn’t have any ifo about it, except that its a MKV spit.
Moggy Its a “W” at the begining of the reg number, but thanks for taking the time to help. 🙂 Much appreciated.
Does anyone have anything else?
By: Moggy C - 21st August 2003 at 22:44
Quite correct about the naming.
There was a nominal price for a Spitfire, and once a collection from a town or a company reached that level an aircraft was ‘presented’ and named.
If this is W3170 its an Eastleigh built MkV, first flown on the 2nd May 1941. From 9 MU it was issued to 74 Squadron on the 16th May, then 72 Squadron on the 27th July. This is where its service record ends. It is unlikely that it survives in any form today.
Moggy
By: redtop - 21st August 2003 at 22:33
have a look at the link below for more info on “presentation” spitfires, can’t help with current info though…
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August 21, 2003 at 10:20 pm