By: Collis - 10th February 2015 at 21:33
Great thread – I’ve seen IX EN398 discribed at the highest scoring Spitfire. Possible a V which started as a mark I and lasted through the war, could have more kills.
By: Camlobe - 9th February 2015 at 21:25
Not the first time AB 910 has worn stripes. In the mid-’90’s, she wore the colours of 402 City of Winnipeg, complete with stripes…
50 years after she first wore them over the Normandy beaches.
Camlobe
By: Edgar Brooks - 9th February 2015 at 21:09
Bowyer, in “Aircraft for the Many,” lists 64, 118, 130, 234, 303, 345, 350, 402, 501, 504, 611 Squadrons, plus around 40 in U.S.A.A.F. hands.
By: Bob - 9th February 2015 at 20:52
Plenty of MkV in use in late 44 and into 45 – just watching some gun camera film from the Balkans e.g. 253 Sqdn and 352 (Yugoslavia) Squadron all using MkVs…
Spitfire V “K”
Spitfire V “P”
Spitfire Vc “SW-K”
Spitfire V “SW-P”
Spitfire Vc “SW-F”
Spitfire V “SW-Z”
Spitfire V “SW-B”
By: Monsun - 9th February 2015 at 20:48
Oh, and not forgetting 63 Squadron which carried out gunfire spotting for the Navy’s heavy guns on D-Day.
Probably the last time a Mark V fired its guns in anger was an aircraft of 276 (ASR) Squadron which attacked and sank a German midget submarine off Antwerp in March 1945.
By: Tango Charlie - 9th February 2015 at 20:35
64 Squadron for sure.
Mark
Interesting. Am I right in thinking that towards wars end especially after the invasion that confidence was sufficient enough within the top brass to allow what would be possibly considered obsolete Spitfire marks to fly again at the front line?
Was it a case of needing to use them in anticipation of numbers required for the allied side, or expected numbers of axis defenders that necessitated every machine and pilot to be available and take part?
As already stated a 109G was bought down by a Mk V, performance of successive Spitfire Marks improved (I think) throughout the war. Given the advantage of height and a diving attack most early war fighters from either side presumably were still quite capable of inflicting death and destruction on their enemy, even those with just 303’s and not cannon equipped.
By: DazDaMan - 9th February 2015 at 20:31
X4272 started life as a Mk.I…!
By: Mr Merry - 9th February 2015 at 20:26
News to me, thanks for the info. I didn’t realise Mk V’s were still operational.
By: Monsun - 9th February 2015 at 20:23
234 and 611 Squadrons as well
By: DazDaMan - 9th February 2015 at 20:12
501 Squadron.
Spitfire VB X4272/SD-J even managed to bring down a Bf109G on D+2.
By: Mr Merry - 9th February 2015 at 20:06
Mark, can’t have been many others thought?
That said not much Luftwaffe opposition at that time, a Mk V can strafe as well as a Mk IX I suppose.
By: Mark12 - 9th February 2015 at 20:01
64 Squadron for sure.
Mark
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February 9, 2015 at 7:51 pm