Falkland Islands Spitfires

Ok thanks Peter, I have a great fondness for these presentation Spitfires, the book ‘Gifts of War’ have made all of the difference in my research. I am lucky enough to own the actual compass used in X4616 and it takes pride of place on the wall in my living room.

Regards

Mat

Hi Mat

Can’t help too much but I feel that something must be wrong somewhere.

Bowen-Morris was with 92 Sqn from 12/9/40-23/6/41 when he was shot down over France. I also have a photo of Sgt David Lloyd in Falkland Islands III although in this shot the door is down, but from the scratches on the paintwork it is the same aircraft. Lloyd was with 92 from November 1940 to 19/8/41. Both photos just show the cockpit area so the individual code letter is not visible.

Maybe the records are not right or the aircraft has been painted incorrectly?

Peter

X4620 delivered to 611 Squadron at RAF Digby on 7th November 1940 by a ferry pilot. If you need further detail of her activity with 611 you can have it.

Just to confuse things a bit, I have a photo of Sgt Hugh Bowen-Morris of 92 Sqn sitting in the cockpit of Falkland Islands III. The aircraft has QJ codes but unfortunately the serial cannot be seen.

Peter

Hi Peter
I wonder if you could help in my research into Falklands Island IV X4616, this was sent to 92 Squadron in October 1940 and was badged as QJ-R, could it be that this is in fact the picture in the photograph? I have a picture of this plane with Ralph (Titch) Havercroft standing alongside, this was taken at Manston in February 1941. Any help here would be much appreciated.

Best Regards

Mat

I have been sent copies of the Log Books of John Niven DFC* as part of some research into gun camera film shot by him and there is X4615 in his log book during April-June 1941 while with 602 Squadron based in Ayr.

His son is a friend of one of my brothers and discovering his dad flew with the likes of Paddy Finucane, Al Deere and Ginger Lacey is quite amazing…

What was the population of the Falkland Islands back in WWII? Wikipedia reports the estimated population in 2012 was as little as 2,932 people. So there must have been a fair bit of wealth in the islands back then to raise that much money, £50,000.

Just to confuse things a bit, I have a photo of Sgt Hugh Bowen-Morris of 92 Sqn sitting in the cockpit of Falkland Islands III. The aircraft has QJ codes but unfortunately the serial cannot be seen.

Peter

Thank you again. I have emailed a link to this thread to their office.
mmitch

Just to add some more info from Air-Britian

X4613. 603/266. Lost wing and crashed, Gedney Hill, Lincs. 2.3.41
X4614. 66/92/53 OTU/501/53 OTU/58 OTU – Flew into hill in mist, Kingseat Hill, Clackmannan, 16.1.43
X4615. 610/602/61 OTU/ Cv VA/121/332/164/Cv PR.XIII. To Admiralty 5.3.44
X4616. 92/53 OTU/53 OTU/17 SFTS. SOC 23.11.44
X4617. 616/65/308. To Portugal 12.9.43
X4619. 58 OTU/73 OTU. SOC 27.7.44
X4620. 611/485/123/61 OTU/Cv PR. IV/8 OTU. SOC 25.8.44
X4622. 222. SOC 30.12.44
X4642. 609/66/57 OTU/303/306/61 OTU. Broke up in dive and abandoned, Bryneglwys, Denbigh, 5.8.42
X4643 72/485/61 OTU. To Admiralty 9.9.42

Abbreviations:
Cv.: Converted to (Mark)
OTU:- Operational Training Unit
SFTS: Service Flying Training School
SOC: Struck Off Charge

Source: Royal Air Force Aircraft X1000 to X9999 Air-Britain Publication. ISBN 0861301177 (1984)

Given that the request is for and on behalf of the Falkland Islands Government I’d have thought the AHB ought to have been providing all the information they need , and not relying on an appeal letter in the Daily Mail. Although I would agree that it might draw in other information that AHB might not have.

They might even supply all the information the Falkland Island Government requires without finding the need to redact certain bits of information. But they probably shouldn’t be holding their breath for that!

Thanks for replies. Gerry many thanks for that list. I shall pass the info on.
mmitch.

Hi mmitch,
I have a copy of the book ‘Gifts of war’.
You are correct, there were 10 Falkland Island spitfires.
The book sates that the Governor and peoples of the Falkland islands presented 10 spitfires with a donation of £50,000.

Falkland Islands 1 – X4614 was a mk1a and went initially to 66 squadron at Gravesend in October 1940 and then on to 92 squadron.
2- was X4615. went to 616 squadron in October 1940 and then on to 610 squadron.
3- X4617. Went to 616 squadron in October 1940 and then on to 65 squadron.
4- X4616. went to 92 squadron in October 1940.
5- X4622. Went to 222 squadron in November 1940.
6- X4619. Went to 602 squadron.
7- X4620. Went to 611 Squadron.
8- X4642. Went to 609 Squadron in October 1940.
9- X4613. Went to 603 squadron in October 1940 and then on to 266 squadron.
10- X4643. Went to 72 squadron in October 1940.

Cheers
Gerry

I see a first day cover with X4616 as well.

Spitfire – The Story of a Famous Fighter (Harleyford Publication) list the following as a Falkland Islands Spitfire: –

X4622

I’ve got “Spitfire” by Key Press, unfortunately there is nothing in the index to do with the Falklands. Any other key words i could look for as the book is 630 odd pages long!

http://www.stampedia.net/stamp/catalogue/stamp,179747/

What is required here is not the predictable quip but someone with either (or both) ‘Presentation Aircraft’ Air Britain Historians, or ‘Spitfire’ by Key Press. Both rather expensive tomes when published, I obtained neither, but wish I had – then I could answer the question with authority.

I have a photograph of Sgt G A Whipps of 602 Sqn sitting in one of the Falkland Island Spitfires.

Let me guess. Maybe they are buried in crates right below the Pt. Stanley runway?:angel: