Spitfire photo

Hi Dan,

I have just come across your thread regarding the photo of the force landed spitfire in North Africa.
I have been researching the pilots of 81 Sqn for many years and I am affraid to tell you that the aircraft in the photo does not belong to P/O “Gus” Large RCAF.
Having spoken some years ago to a fellow 81Sqn pilot flying in the same sqn, Gus Large crashed into the sea in an engagement with the enemy on 01/01/43, neither his body or aircraft were found, he is commemorated on the Malta memorial to the missing.
Further enquiries for your aircraft for 01/02/43, from the “Bible” of this conflict, “Fighters over Tunisia”, suggest that your initial observation that the pilot may have walked away may be correct.
On this day the Luftwaffe claimed 8 kills, the RAF however admit to five losses.
81 and 242 Sqn were in action that day, 242 losing 4 aircraft, and 81 sqn, 1.
Three 242 sqn pilots and aircraft were shot down without trace, the pilots, Sgt’s Mallinson, Murray, and Greenshields, are commemorated on the Malta memorial, again suggesting they crashed into the sea, with no bodies being recovered.
Sgt Plummer, of 81 sqn, seems to have met the same fate.
The other loss of this day was Sqn Ldr Secretan, OC 242 Sqn.
He was shot down by two 109’s but managed to force land hi aircraft, his report of this incident states that once he was clear of the a/c the 109’s straffed the wreck.
He was helped back to allied lines by locals.
Your photo doesn’t show much sign of straffing, but it looks like the best explanation for your a/c.
I hope this is of some help to you.