Of course the most famous Spitfire from D-Day, ML407 OU-V “Vicky”, is thankfully still flying today, but I was wondering whether her ‘wingman’ MK732 OU-U ‘Baby Bea III’ is still around and flyable these days?
In 1994 MK732 was repainted in her 485 (NZ) Sqn colours in which she’d part-claimed a kill with ML407 on D-Day. It was a magic moment to see (if only on TV rather than in the flesh) the two Spitfires flying together fifty years later for the D-Day commemorations. I was wondering are they getting together again for the 60th?
I was also wondering, how many other Spitfires extant today took part in the battle of the 6th of June 1944? Whether flyable, static or even unrestored, are there any other D-Day veteran Spitfires around other than the two above?
By: DazDaMan - 6th June 2004 at 18:15
Another one, Spitfire VB BL370. In fact, on the D-Day rememberance thread, there are shots which her pilot took whilst over the beaches in the same aircraft.
(You probably know that by now, Dave! ;))
By: DazDaMan - 6th June 2004 at 18:08
the ex-TFC MkIX ML417, now at Chino, was another D-Day veteran (I think).
What niggles me is that she was originally a C-wing, normal-span Spit, but restored as an E-wing with a pointy tail and clipped wings!
Still, she flies, and that’s sh*tloads more important! 😀
I seem to remember MK959 **might** have been another D-Day participant – anyone care to correct?
By: Bauke - 6th June 2004 at 17:09
MK732 Very active in The Netherlands
Dave,
MK732 is stille very active in the Netherlands. But, has changed her outfit a bit. D-Day stipes are long gone and ‘upgraded’ into a KLu aluminium look.
Regards, Bauke Post
By: Ant.H - 6th June 2004 at 12:23
Hi Dave,
MK732 is still active today,although she shed her D-Day markings a couple of years agao and now flies in her old Dutch AF colours…
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/spitfiremk2a/mk732_gallery1.html
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June 6, 2004 at 11:34 am