question about Spitfire IX MH737…

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By: allan125 - 11th March 2013 at 12:08

Hi Olivier

Thank you for the link to your collection – you have some nice pictures in there – where did you obtain the 132 Squadron photo please?

Thanks also for the mention of 2TAF – I have the whole 4 volumes and had seen the picture before, but never with the names attached!

Please keep the forum advised as to what model of Spitfire IX you finally make in case we can help you further.

cheers

Allan

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By: joanblaue - 11th March 2013 at 09:00

Gentlemen, many thanks for your kind replies.
You have an impressive knowledge about Spitfires and related subjects…and I understand I have a poor one.
Since I would like to go with an early Mk IX, I couldn’t go with MH737 any more…

Once again many thanks for your replies.
cheers
Olivier

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By: joanblaue - 11th March 2013 at 08:48

Hi Olivier

Welcome to the forum – as an amateur historian of 125 Airfield/Wing I was very interested in your photo, taken on 15 December 1943 at Detling, do you hold any other pictures of 132 Squadron at all?

Many thanks Allan for your reply.
I see you know the subject with perfection !
I have few photos about the Spitfire but understand that this is probably the only one about 132 sqn.
This photo is also depicted on “2 TAF, vol.1, pg 56” with one other about the ceremony.

You can reach a part ( more to come ) of my album here :

http://s1025.beta.photobucket.com/user/joanblaue/library/#/user/joanblaue/library/SPITFIRE?&_suid=1362991632718006768981135056623

Once again many thanks for your kind reply.
cheers
Olivier

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By: allan125 - 10th March 2013 at 16:55

132 Squadron photo at Detling

Hi Olivier

Welcome to the forum – as an amateur historian of 125 Airfield/Wing I was very interested in your photo, taken on 15 December 1943 at Detling, do you hold any other pictures of 132 Squadron at all?

The 125 Airfield ORB simply describes the event as “Spitfire “Ethel Marsden” was presented to 132 Squadron at an informal ceremony attended by A.V.M. Dickson, A.O.C. 83 Group” – whereas of course the photo actually shows the C.O. of 15 Wing G/Capt Jamie Rankin, and the 125 Airfield O.C. W/Cdr John Lapsley, as well as Sir Hugh Garrett, and A.V.M. Dickson, with an incorrect spelling of Dixon – and the dog is called “Dingo”, the 132 Squadron Mascot.

“Ethel Marsden” was actually allocated to 132 (City of Bombay) Squadron on 26 September 1943, and was coded FF-F (Spitfire LFIX MH486) – Sir Hugh Garrett was a retired member of the Indian Civil Service and former acting governor of Sind Province, then living in Torquay, who wrote his autograph on the nose of the aircraft. (Details from: Gifts of War by Henry Boot and Ray Sturtivant).

cheers

Allan

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By: Eddie - 9th March 2013 at 19:41

Yes, quite. When I originally wrote it, I said something like “It is evidence for…” but when I reworded some of it, that point got lost.

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By: Mark12 - 9th March 2013 at 19:36

I’m sure Mark doesn’t mind the question – after all, if he’d taken the word of experts at face value, incorrect conclusions would have remained (Spitfire IXc, anyone?).

The serial is indeed the key. MH350, shown here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexandernilssen/7280850902/ has the later type intake and extended horn balances. This aircraft was delivered in July 1943, so earlier than MH737 (delivered in September). Mark may have the data on when those mods came in.

You have to be a bit careful here.

MH350 has a long filter intake now, but was it originally built with one? It suffered a Cat. B flying accident being recategorised E and then B again on 12 October 1944 and allocated to No. 420 Repair and Salvage Unitof No. 84 Group, 2nd TAF for attention. Repairs were performed by Air Service Training Ltd between 16 November 1944 and 24 March 1945. That is a big accident.

MH434 was originally built with a short intake.

Mark

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By: Mark12 - 9th March 2013 at 19:17

I have images of MH550 and MH779 that bracket MH737 in the build schedule. These three aircraft span a build of 178 aircraft and were delivered from the factory on 27 August 1943, 28 September 1943 and 1 October 1943 respectively…just five weeks. Both MH550 and MH779 have the long universal air intake and the extended horn elevator.

Mark

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By: joanblaue - 9th March 2013 at 17:15

Universal long air intake with extended horn elevator.

Mark

Mark, thanks for your reply.
Just another question : why ? I mean how could you be so sure about this ?
Is it “readable” with the s/n number ?

Thanks again for your help.
cheers
Olivier

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By: Mark12 - 9th March 2013 at 17:04

Hello,

My questions are :

Do you think it is a short carb intake behind Sir Hugh Garrett ?

What kind of elevator ?

…and finally is there any other pic of this MH737 ( not the FF-Y / BS435 depicted by C.E. Brown….) ?

Many many thanks for your help.

cheers

Olivier

Universal long air intake with extended horn elevator.

Mark