In April 1942, II(AC) Squadron ‘borrowed’ a Spitfire MkII Serial Number P7194. It had been left behind at North Weald by its former squadron and was awaiting collection/disposal by a MU when Sqn Ldr Alan Houseman,deputy Squadron Commander of II(AC) ‘claimed’ it.
Later that day after a servicing party sent from RAF Sawbridgeworth had prepared it for flight, he flew it back to Sawbridgeworth.
It was subsequently remarked in II(AC) squadron code and used as a squadron hack. Some time later the powers that be took the aircraft away. Can anyone shed light on what squadron officially had the aircraft prior to II Squadron removing it from North Weald, and what became of the aircraft after it was taken away?
By: Denis - 27th October 2013 at 15:34
Thanks for posting that link,
I’m not convinced that the references are for the same aircraft though, Reading between the lines seems to indicate that there were maybe two Spitfires in use.
II(AC) sent Mustangs to North Weald for gun harmonisation as there were no shooting in butts at Sawbridgeworth. It was while delivering those Mustangs that the Spitfire was found and then ‘liberated’ One or two weeks passed before being flown by S/L Houseman. That could have been the second flight mentioned. Apart from that, Dyce not being in the immediate neighbourhood either!
By: hunterxf382 - 27th October 2013 at 02:22
According to this very quick Google search – the reg may be wrong, and there is a possible answer:
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?10802-Stolen-Spitfire
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October 27, 2013 at 12:59 am