Identity of captioned captive Spitfire MK.Vc?

Yes, I suspect that you are right.

If post-capture by the Luftwaffe the ‘norm’ is for lots of bods posing with the prize!

Maybe BR392 is still sitting out there in the desert….keeping that P40 company! 😉

Many thanks Andy… its good to see that interpretation of RAF markings is as much of a can of worms as those used by the Luftwaffe. My gut reaction is that this photo was taken before it went missing, but I’d love to be proved wrong…

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

I don’t think there can be much doubt it is BR392.

As to the comment regarding markings, I suspect that correctly re-marking aircraft in accord with the latest AMO was not top of the priority list just then in that theatre. Even if it was, as we have seen time and again, interpretation of how markings should be applied varied wildly and widely. Until I found the evidence I would have doubted that a Spitfire IX (in 1943) was marked with red and yellow blade tips. But it was!

Thanks again chaps…

Perhaps if somebody is able, they could be kind enough to ask Ray as to what state BR392 was in when it went “missing”?

Also, I have a supplementary question put by one of the members of the LEMB which is even further outside of my comfort zone. To quote Steve directly:

“That’s interesting, but it raises another question about this aircraft, if it is BR392. Starting in May 1942 RAF markings changed from the Type A and A1, as seen in the topic photo, to the Type C and C1 (with the thin white and yellow rings). If BR392 was lost in September ’42, then that seems to be a long five-month period where this Spitfire was improperly marked. Possible, no argument, but not likely.”

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Ray Sherk was reported recently as still with us in Ontario and will feature in an article in the coming August 2012 Flypast.

He still flies his own small floatplane at 90 years old.

A complete coincidence that his name should come up twice in the same week.

Mark

Just to clarify ‘missing’.

Whilst he may well have been posted missing at the time, that is no longer his status; ie he does not appear on the Alamein Memorial and neither is he a casualty with a known grave. One must presume POW, but I have not checked. The only RCAF casulaty by the name of Sherk was lost in a Whitley over the UK.

Many thanks indeed Mark… so this could indeed be a Beute/captured example, even if there is as much chance it could have been photographed before it went missing…

Thanks again 🙂

Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

North Africa.

BR392< Vc 601 Sqn Matruh ‘sheet 8423’ 1545 hrs. Cat E. Operational. Missing after pilot reported out of petrol on R/T 29.9.42, P/O R.J.F.Sherk J 15237 (Can) missing.

Mark

Vokes (tropical) filter and codes that look to be UF = 601 Squadron.

Am looking through ??392 possibilities, but tiredness and red wine may beat me tonight!