The reason it looks blue is because that is how it should be. Here’s some background on it from the guy that researched it, namely myself. The scheme represents the aircraft flown by Flt Lt Ray Holmes of 541 Sqn RAF Benson, on 7th March 1945 when undertaking a PR mission to photograph the port of Harburg, to the south of Hamburg. He was intercepted by two separated Me262 jets but managed to evade them and still got his pictures. Anyone wanting a really good read should invest in a second hand copy (it’s out of print) of “Sky Spy” by Ray Holmes. There is no fancy artwork or mission symbols because the aircraft simply didn’t have them. There may have been a small code letter beneath the serial number but the Sqn Operations Record Book for the 7th March is not seeming to be in existance at the National Archive. Further research on the identity of the Spitfire concerned is ongoing at the present time and any code letter that turns up will be appended to the scheme at a later date. 😎

Roobarb

The pilots that flew the PR missions was this there only job or did they also fly the fighters in combat?

Nice pic that would be nice all stripped back to bare metal and polished.

However does the paint protect the metal from corroding to some point what is done to bare metal to stop the elemnts getting it’s wicked way with her can it be protected?

Like some type of lacqeur?

Im very surprised if anything is still left there as the scrap men around here take owt.!!

Whats the plans for the mossie taxi runs or just at idle?

Got some photo’s of that with the sump off and a few other shots somewhere.:rolleyes:

Give them a chance to show the other two programs then you can moan like old women all you like.:D

I agree 90 mins per showing might be best but with costs at a premium 30 mins was ok.

Engines were designed to be run and ran at full bore not to be looked at & polished.:D

Is there a few Historic ground run aircraft the likes of the Spitfire at museums that NEVER fly?

Thank you for sharing those.;)

I have copied some of them to show to my Grandfather a ww2 Navy gunner who has many memories of the war from the British side of things in the North Atlantic.