Spit AR501

I wouldn’t have thought that AR501 could’ve been too clapped out if she’s still flying 60 odd years on.

Hmmm. That’s because she survived a period of being 2nd line and unwanted, to then become very very valuable! Also AR501 is flying 1. because of a Battle of Britain Film ‘restoration’ 2. a 1975 restoration at Duxford by a under recognised combined team, and 3. lots of hard work by OW staff and careful flying. Oh, and 4. a ’50 year check’ by Westlands! 😀

AR501

Hi Sq/L
I have the print in question hanging on my landing.
the little paragraph of text in the bottom left hand corner tells me that it represents a raid on Lille and Courtrai on Oct 9th 1942.
The first raid by the 306th BG.
It also goes on to say that the Spitfire in question took part in a diversionary sweep in support of the raid that day.
I then referenced ‘The Mighty Eighth War Diary’–R Freeman and it states that the RAF sent Spitfires as a diversion to Circus 224.
The U.S. also sent P38’s of the 1st FG as a diversion also.
Their last mission with the eighth before transfer to the middle east.
I think it’s unlikely that the Spitfires of 310 Sqn flew in close formation with the 306th as depicted in the picture.
The print was produced to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the raid.
All the best
Andy.
PS.I’ll try looking up the Mustang you mentioned later.

Originally posted by Sq/L Scramble.
AR 501 would’ve escorted the 306th (if it’s happened at all) somewhere around late ’42 either October or November as the raid depicted in ‘Thurleigh Prelude’ was on one of their first raids on Lille, France, which would place it either October 9th 1942 or November 8th 1942 though they did go again on January 13th 1943 and then not again until September 9th the same year.

Originally posted by Mark12
AR501 would have been with 310 (Czech) Sqd based at Exeter with a possible detachment to Bolt Head.

It should not be too difficult to check no. 310 ORB at the PRO for those respective dates.
If you can’t do that, I will try to check some CzechAF related publications.
Escort missions were usually codenamed Ramrod (earlier there were Circuses, but I don’t think any involved US bombers).
Rhubarb was a fighter-only mission.
V.

October/November 1942

AR501 would have been with 310 (Czech) Sqd based at Exeter with a possible detachment to Bolt Head.

Rhubarbs to Northern France.

Mark

Sorry, I should’ve made it a bit clearer in my last post, The 306th painted P-51 would be around mid ’44 to the end of the war.

AR 501 would’ve escorted the 306th (if it’s happened at all) somewhere around late ’42 either October or November as the raid depicted in ‘Thurleigh Prelude’ was on one of their first raids on Lille, France, which would place it either October 9th 1942 or November 8th 1942 though they did go again on January 13th 1943 and then not again until September 9th the same year.

I wouldn’t have thought that AR501 could’ve been too clapped out if she’s still flying 60 odd years on.

AR501 went to 58 OTU, which usually means it was clapped out, in March 1944. Then after an accident and repair to the Central Gunnery School in April 1945.

Mark

I would guess it would have to be somewhere between mid ’44 and the end of the war. The relative lack of enemy fighters at this time woul’ve made the skies over europe somewhat safer for a single P-51 to venrure forth, but as I say it is a guess.:rolleyes:

What sort of date are we talking here?

Mark