Hurricane gate guardian

Thanks for all the gen Mark12 and everyone else.Much appreciated.

The aircraft at Bridgenorth in 1960 were two Spitfires, a 5B BM597, a 5c AR614 and Hurricane II that is now in the museum at Washington. There were also a Hunter 5, Meteor 4 and a Vamire 5 dotted around the camp.

John

Careful now. We have Bridgnorth first period and Bridgnorth second period with unmarked silver MK V Spitfires.

The most logical explanations for the arrival of the Spitfire at Bridgnorth as “4353M”/(AB871) in 1948 are that at its previous abode, 6 SoTT at RAF Hednesford the ‘M’ serial was not applied until departure, and they got it wrong or both aircraft, AB871 and BL614 exchanged ‘M’ IDs whilst at 6 SoTT. I see now the school was disbanded in 1948, triggering the move to Bridgnorth.

BL614 is a surviving Spitfire and part the RAFMus Collection.

Mark

Thanks Mark 12.thats some confusion sorted .I had been told it was a Hurricane, no wonder I couldn`t trace it. While we are on the subject,was that the Vampire that Hereford ATC had afterwards?

The aircraft at Bridgenorth in 1960 were two Spitfires, a 5B BM597, a 5c AR614 and Hurricane II that is now in the museum at Washington. There were also a Hunter 5, Meteor 4 and a Vampire 5 dotted around the camp.

John

The plot thickens,but it is very interesting.So what happened to AB871 then after Bridgenorth.Was it scrapped?,as I don`t believe this one is still around is it?.

In the 1950’s a number of silver painted Mk V Spitfires were on gate guard duty without serial ID. They caused some considerable confusion and speculation as to their true identity.

It is reported that on arrival at RAF Bridgnorth one such Spitfire carried the maintenance serial 4353M. This aircraft was subsequently moved to RAF Credenhill on an unknown, date but somewhere between 1948 and 1961.

Spitfire AB871 and BL614 have consecutive Maintenance serials 4353M and 4354M respectively.

When on display at Bridgnorth, from a single image, the Spitfire appears not to be carrying an ID but was distinctive by virtue of several features including no gear doors. Images of clearly the same Spitfire at Credenhill in 1960/1 show the same silver Spitfire with no ID.

The aircraft was subsequently camouflaged and painted at Credenhill with the ID AB871 based on it being formerly 4353M. Subsequent inspections on site Henlow for BoB film usage revealed a fuselage data plate out of sequence for AB871 but perfect for BL614 and by 1974 it carried this ID at RAF Colerne.

Somewhere along the line circa pre 1948 the records for these two Spitfires appear to have got intertwined.

Mk XVI Spitfire TE392 was gate guard at Credenhill from Feb 1970 until Aug1984.

Mark

The entry in the enlarged (probably 2nd) edition of Veteran and vintage Aircraft by Leslie Hunt states
HEREFORD RAF Credenhill Spitfire 5 AB871 / M4353. In the City 124 ATC Sqdn have Vampire T11 XE982, No 22 Special Air Service Sqdn have Vampire T11 WZ550 / 7902M.

The third edition states
HEREFORD RAF Credenhill Hawker F1 WT612 and WT651. Vampire T11 XE982 / 7564M is with 124 Sqdn ATC. Vampire T11 WZ550 / 7902M is with HQ’s Special Air Service Sqdn. Spitfire XVI TE392.

Wrecks and Relics 9th edition 1984 says that both the parade ground Hunters had moved to Halton by June 1983 leaving only spitfire XVI TE392 / 7000M. It also says under Hereford that 124 Sqdn ATC still keep Vampire T11 XE982 /7564M in Eign Road.

This all just seems to muddy the waters and implies that there were 2 vampires in the area and possibly 2 Spitfire gate guards at different times (which may explain the camouflaged and silver paint finishes mentioned in previous posts) plus a couple of early Hunters. I am sure MK12 can set the record straight on the Spitfires.

Interesting to know that at one stage the Spitfire was silver. It was camouflaged when I photographed it.

Thanks Mark 12.thats some confusion sorted .I had been told it was a Hurricane, no wonder I couldn`t trace it. While we are on the subject,was that the Vampire that Hereford ATC had afterwards?

In the early sixties RAF Credenhill had a Spitfire mk5 and also a Hurricane.I know what happened to the Spitfire but does anyone know what happened to the Hurricane and what was it`s identity.Thanks in anticipation.

If this helps.

In 1961, the ‘other’ aircraft on guard opposite the the silver Mk V Spitfire…was a Vampire.

Mark