T6flyer
January 25, 2018 at 1:58 pm

Turkish Spitfire Mk.1s

I have read that the Turkish Air Force received 3 Spitfire Mk.Is – the first one being diverted from Poland (L1066) in September 1939 and then two others (P9956 and P9567) which arrived from Supermarine in 1940. They were serialled 2901-3 and remained in service for only a short time before being struck off charge due to a lack of spares I believe. 2902 and 3 were later received different RAF serials becoming HK854 and HK856.

Was there a 4th? Have read on another page of P9565 going out to Turkey in 1944. Can anyone tell if if this is correct? Would like to know more about this particular airframe if at all possible.

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By: T6flyer - 26th January 2018 at 10:28

Thanks to everyone coming to my aid again…so much appreciated. Just had an enquiry to build a model with a number 4 on the side…… so thought would be best to check here. Hopefully in future correspondence, the enquirer’s finger slipped when they sent the initial email. Will let you know.

Thanks again.

Martin

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By: antoni - 25th January 2018 at 16:36

P9565 spent its early life as a trials aircraft and probably best known for being fitted with a 30 gallon overload tank.

http://www.relishmodels.co.uk/the-spitfire-mk-ii-lr-.html

What the movement card reveals is that in 1940 is was converted to a Mk Va. So it may well have gone to turkey but as a Mk V not a Mk I.

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By: Mark12 - 25th January 2018 at 15:13

L1066 and P9566 in Turkey

HK854 in North Africa.

Mark

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By: jbs - 25th January 2018 at 14:45

Agree with the above statement.

There was an order for 15 Spitfire Mk.I aircraft placed, of which P9565 may well have been one, but only two (P9566 & P9567) actually arrived in country it seems.

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By: One of the Few - 25th January 2018 at 14:32

The information held on it`s movements does state that in August 1944 P9565 was sold to Turkey, but does`nt say if it actually went!.

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By: jbs - 25th January 2018 at 14:30

I think you may have the serials slightly awry,
2901 – Mk.I L1066
2902 – Mk.I P9566 (Class B reg – N-22)
2903 – Mk.I P9567 (Class B reg – N-23)

These are the only 3 Mk.I’s I have as going to Turkey, the rest were a mix of Mk.V, Mk.IX, a single Mk.XI, and Mk.XIX’s