Spitfire identity at North Weald 1988/89

The production people on PoC had enormous issues with the vinyl squadron codes peeling off in flight.

For the bulk of the filming they were all removed and a little bit of dialogue written in for S/L Rex after the Blenheim incident saying “I’ve had all the squadron codes removed.. in case it happens again” (That’s paraphrased, not verbatim) to explain their absence.

Moggy

Even so, there are a couple of brief shots later on in the series with one Spit (possibly a replica) clearly showing the “NS” codes…

..that 3-ship formation as mentioned by 92fis. from an old press photo in my collection.

Both shots are clearly of MH434, so are clearly not the same year. Your camo photo appears to show the aircraft without codes, and I have it logged at the 1990 North Weald show as coded CK-D which rules 1990 out.

The production people on PoC had enormous issues with the vinyl squadron codes peeling off in flight.

For the bulk of the filming they were all removed and a little bit of dialogue written in for S/L Rex after the Blenheim incident saying “I’ve had all the squadron codes removed.. in case it happens again” (That’s paraphrased, not verbatim) to explain their absence.

Moggy

NH238 and PL983 were operated by OFMC around that time and often appeared as a three ship formation team along with MH434. I remember seeing them at Biggin hill in 1989 and at one of the Duxford shows that year, if i remember correctly they flew as a two ship formation at Dx because PL983 overheated while waiting to take off. I believe it was Mark Hanna in PL983.

The aerial on the spit is a good clue that it is MH434.

Just in case anyone is interested, the episode of Poirot featuring MH434 is being broadcast next Tuesday (14th July) on ITV3 at 7.55pm.

It looks as though the question has been answered, but just to add my confirmation, I have a similar photo of MH434 at North Weald in May 1988 showing the registration and the same Mustang (Empire of the Sun markings) to the right and Gary Numan’s Harvard in the background.

I didn’t take a photo of G-MKIX, and since I have a soft spot for Spitfires I’m sure I would have done had it been present.

I can now provide the full details, which I found I did have a work 😉

Below is an extract of the timeframe in question showing when the various schemes were worn by MH434.

B of B scheme for “Piece of Cake” (no codes) – 1988
NS-L BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-X BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-E BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-K BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
Overall Pale Grey scheme for “Poirot” TV series – 05/1988
PRU Blue scheme – 1989
Norwegian PRU Blue scheme – 1989
BoB Green-Brown scheme (no codes) – 1990
CK-D (RAF) for “Perfect Hero” TV series – 1990
CK-D (RBAF) – 1991

If anyone has any more detail around the dates then please let me know

All I can do is quote from my photo records (don’t have access to actual photos at this time)

MH434 “Cake” colours (no codes listed): North Weald 15.5.88; Coventry 30.5.88; Brize Norton 18.6.88; Coventry 6&7.8.88

“Poroit” colours (although I’ve noted them as Miss Marple – at least they’re both Christie)/PRU Blue (didn’t notice the difference at the time 😮 ): Finningley 17.9.88; North Weald 13.5.89; Duxford 11.6.89; Biggin Hill 18.6.89; Swansea 20.8.89; West Maling 28.8.89

RAF colours CD-K: North Weald 12.5.90; Mildenhall 26.5.90; Duxford 8.7.90; Alconbury 12.8.90; West Malling 26&27.8.90; Duxford 16.9.90; Duxford 31.3.91; North Weald 18&19.5.91

RBAF colours CD-K: Biggin Hill 15.6.91; Duxford 14.7.91; Alconbury 4.8.91; Duxford 15.9.91; North Weald 17.5.92

reverting to RAF colours AV-H: Mildenhall 24.8.92

NH238 was photographed in “Cake” colours (again, no codes): Biggin Hill 18.6.89; Boscombe Down 9.6.90; Biggnin Hill 20.6.92

other Spits photographed in “Cake” colours:
PL983: Staverton8.5.88; Biggin Hill 8.6.89; Boscombe Down 9.6.90; Biggin Hill l20.6.92
ML417: Coventry 5,6&7.8.88

IIRC the green/brown scheme was applied for “A Piece of Cake” (and possibly dark Blue World too – but not sure on the latter)…

Piece of Cake, certainly, but MH434 didn’t appear in Dark Blue World – that was Spitfire VIII MV154….

Hi Arthur,

G-MKIX (NH238) was also painted up in a similar Camo scheme and appeared in ‘Piece of Cake’ alongside MH434 and they looked very similar. Their RAF serials were painted in small black letters just forward of or under the elevator from memory.

The main giveaway (if the serials are not visible) would be that NH238 has the “Doug Arnold wing” fitting of four 20mm cannon….

Hi Arthur,

G-MKIX (NH238) was also painted up in a similar Camo scheme and appeared in ‘Piece of Cake’ alongside MH434 and they looked very similar.

And probably still is!

Thanks very much folks.

I’ll get airliners.net to change photo 773971 to MH434, and delete photo1469110 and change the date of 1469109 to the 13th May 1989.

Does anyone know if G-MKIX there that day anyway? I’ve seen another photo on a.net of G-MKIX in a BofB scheme with no codes like MH434. That is maybe where the confusion has arisen.

Hi Arthur,

G-MKIX (NH238) was also painted up in a similar Camo scheme and appeared in ‘Piece of Cake’ alongside MH434 and they looked very similar. Their RAF serials were painted in small black letters just forward of or under the elevator from memory.

Thanks very much folks.

I’ll get airliners.net to change photo 773971 to MH434, and delete photo1469110 and change the date of 1469109 to the 13th May 1989.

Does anyone know if G-MKIX there that day anyway? I’ve seen another photo on a.net of G-MKIX in a BofB scheme with no codes like MH434. That is maybe where the confusion has arisen.

I can now provide the full details, which I found I did have a work 😉

Below is an extract of the timeframe in question showing when the various schemes were worn by MH434.

B of B scheme for “Piece of Cake” (no codes) – 1988
NS-L BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-X BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-E BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
NS-K BoB scheme for “Piece of Cake” – c04-05/1988
Overall Pale Grey scheme for “Poirot” TV series – 05/1988
PRU Blue scheme – 1989
Norwegian PRU Blue scheme – 1989
BoB Green-Brown scheme (no codes) – 1990
CK-D (RAF) for “Perfect Hero” TV series – 1990
CK-D (RBAF) – 1991

If anyone has any more detail around the dates then please let me know

Both shots are clearly of MH434, so are clearly not the same year. Your camo photo appears to show the aircraft without codes, and I have it logged at the 1990 North Weald show as coded CK-D which rules 1990 out. The fact that it is without codes might suggest that when it appeared at North Weald (and in your photo) the repaint had not been fully completed, which would probably mean 1989 as I believe it was Grey in 1988. Only guessing though.

Regards
Willow

John,

Just to confuse you slightly more, the second picture shows the High Altitude fighter scheme that 434 wore for a few years. It came after the Grey ‘Poirot’ scheme, which was quite shortlived!

Bruce

Bruce,

Thats why I very rarely post without first checking, a lesson learned. Thanks for the correction.
The problem is now is that it throws my dates into question as well.
:rolleyes:

John,

Just to confuse you slightly more, the second picture shows the High Altitude fighter scheme that 434 wore for a few years. It came after the Grey ‘Poirot’ scheme, which was quite shortlived!

Bruce

All three pictures are of MH434.

As mentioned already the Camo scheme was worn for the filming of ‘Piece of Cake’, but the overall Grey scheme was, I believe worn for an episode of ‘Poirot’.

As to the dates, I would agree and say that the dates are wrong on one of them. From memory 1988 for the Camo scheme and 1989 for the Grey one, but would need to check my notes which are at home.

IIRC the green/brown scheme was applied for “A Piece of Cake” (and possibly dark Blue World too – but not sure on the latter), but I cannot remember what the overall grey/blue scheme was for, but seem to remember it was a short lived scheme.

But yes, I am sure they are both photos of MH434, albeit wearing different make-up, so I think the dates are wrong rather than the identity – I am sure one of the resident Spitfire experts will be along to confirm soon enough …

Well, the cannon configuration would suggest MH434 for both schemes to me (could be wrong though!)

I seem to remember that 434 wore more colour schemes than I’ve had hot dinners through the late 1980’s…

Regards;
steve