A BBMF Spitfire

It’s RM689, I think – note the tailwheel in the first pic.

Thanks

I didn’t see that.

I shall keep looking…

It’s RM689, I think – note the tailwheel in the first pic.

I think I have found PS915 ‘in action’ in the film.

Hopefully Mark12 can confirm.

It looks like a PRXIX and it is carrying the codes AI-A….

E.I.E.I.O. plus 1

A little research on a downloaded still reveals yet another code combination for TB382….AI-G.

Not just the three blade broad root Dowty prop, but this combined with the distinctive ‘fingerprint’ of the studio applied ‘distressing’ of the roundel.

To the top right AI-B is TE476. A ‘Markaddie’ also briefly fitted with a Dowty three blader. No, not identified from this shot 🙂 but the position of the fuel drum, trolleyacc, removed cowling, chock and background match exactly a shot taken by Ron Cranham at North Weald.

Mark

… and also **-Q, AI-A, AI-E, AI-F, AI-H, AI-O, AI-P, AI-R, BO-B, BO-H, CD-*,CD-A, DO-A, DO-L, DO-M, EQ-*, EQ-A & LC-A.

…and I am sure there are more to come.

Mark

E I E I O? 😀

BUT I have found another picture of it in my collection as DO-M.

… and also **-Q, AI-A, AI-E, AI-F, AI-H, AI-O, AI-P, AI-R, BO-B, BO-H, CD-*,CD-A, DO-A, DO-L, DO-M, EQ-*, EQ-A & LC-A.

…and I am sure there are more to come.

Mark

Sorry Mark12..

I was so busy looking through my books, I did not see your reply..

I knew you would be first to have the answer AGAIN….

Thanks

PDS.

Certain identifying features?

Yes, I just found it…

Bob Rudhalls first book.. page 131.

TB382.. 3 Blade prop. 6 Tubular exhaust stubs. No wingtip nav lights..

Mind you SM411 is identified the same!?

BUT I have found another picture of it in my collection as DO-M.

I must get out more.

Any reason why?

The process:-

1) It is long nose with universal filter so therefore a Mk IX or a Mk XVI.

2) It is a non flyer because it is carrying the wire aerial, has no nav lights etc.

3) It has the three aperture 12″ wheels.

4) It has the three blade broad root Dowty propeller. Although there were other static aircraft briefly fitted with this prop arrangement, TB382 fitted with such a prop was the principal taxier and start up machine along with SM411 with a three blade DH prop. The close up aircraft.

5) It has the round straight exhausts as opposed to the flared, slightly upturned and in some cases irregular exhausts.

6) TB382 is the logical choice before even looking at the other three blade IX/XVIs to eliminate them

7) Comparison with chip marks on the front of the cowlings/fasteners, stains adjacent to the access panel on the front side cowling, stain lines on the camou adjacent to the ‘AI’ all match with the TB382 data base images at various stages through the filming with 30 odd shots of TB382 I have on file.

Mark

Any reason why?

Certain identifying features?

No, not a Markaddie.

A high back Mk XVI – TB382.

Mark

Any reason why?

No, not a Markaddie.

A high back Mk XVI – TB382.

Mark

Is it not a Mark Addie?

Yes, Think you are right.. But which one???

Anyone like to guess??

Is it not a Mark Addie?

Bear with me Mark12…

I need convincing that the ‘action shot’ from the film they have used in the book is actually PS915…

If you look at the 2 images below. It does not look like a PRXIX to me. Okay they heavily modified them…

The obvious differences are Rudder, Prop, Canopy, Aerial mast, Tailwheel, Radiators??

Mark12 convince me please…

Pictures in ‘Born Again, Spitfire PS915’ shows it painted in Silver with a red spinner and underwing serials in 1954 and in 1956 it was re-painted in PRU Blue with a Yellow spinner…

PDS

Yes but only in the captions to Black and White photographs.

There is also a fine shot on page 31 with a fully armoured front screen assembly in the BoB film!! It is coded AI-R so it must be PS915 like the other shot (actually taken by Ron Cranham and supplied to Wally Rouse by myself).

Not confidence building on the captions front. 🙂

Incidentally this book is currently on ebay and someone here was looking for it recently

Mark

Interpreting B/W images it seems PS915 when operated by the THUM flight had at least two liveries, overall silver and overall PR Blue both sporting the post WWII ‘A’ type roundel and equi-coloured fin flash. Spinner colour varied over the period and an underwing serial was carried initially.
Mark

Pictures in ‘Born Again, Spitfire PS915’ shows it painted in Silver with a red spinner and underwing serials in 1954 and in 1956 it was re-painted in PRU Blue with a Yellow spinner…

Spitfire PRXIX – PS915 at Woodville in 1947 was in post war colours. Silver.
It was repainted to represent PS888 of 81 Sqn PR Unit, and was THE LAST Spitfire to fly an Official sortie in the R.A.F. This took place at R.A.F. Seletar, Singapore on 1st April 1954. It was subsequently named ‘THE LAST!’. I took photgraphs before, during painting and after. Apparenty, the only person who did. I supplied the ground crew with some white paint and brush. PS888 was in wartime colours. PRU Blue and Med Sky Grey. Although it should have been in Silver, it was time expired, and sold with PS890 and PS836 to the Royal Thai Air Force as Instructional Airframes.
PS890 was sold to the U.S.A. and now flies in France fitted with a R-R Griffon and Conta – Rotating propeller from a Shackleton.

I could’nt resist a comment, you know me “big gob”.

Are you saying you are pond life or you don’t listen to him? Anyway there must be better things to do on your days off!!!

You cant say that about our stormin, he is a bottomless pit of aircraft information and technical knowhow for which he is well renouned at BBMF for sharing with the pond life that hangs on his every word.