Does any one have any lists or info to identify the following on Data/Modification plates attached to Spitfires ?

1. Modification Numbers relating to the modification carried out.?

2. The Factory code, ie GAL, CBAF, FL, MU1 etc for the factories that carried out the modification work.?

3. Any data base for the production numbers stamped on the mod plates that correspond to the aircraft RAF serial numbers ?

Incidentally,  while I’m sure this has been answered else where,  as Ive seen the question a few times : correct me if Im wrong but,  the number 30064/325 stamped on the back of any Spitfire data plate is simply the data plates part number. It has nothing to do with any parts, work or RAF serial number.

regards

Jon

A couple of war time photographs showing both sides of P8088.

Incidentally, the note next to the comment,’Named Bette’ says ‘Reilly Ffoull’ which is a reference to the character Captain A.R.P Reilly-Ffoull from the wartime cartoon strip ‘Just Jake’ in the Daily Mirror newspaper.
This piece of nose art was added to P8088, as it was to a number of Spitfires, in deference to the BoB pilot Basil Gerald ‘Stap Me’ Stappleton.

Q;- When did Spitfire P8088 NK-K get named Bette ?

I believe this question arose earlier in this thread.
The definitive answer to this is as follows,

Alex Lumbsden the pilot decided to name the aircraft after his girl friend Bette and discussed this with her on or prior to Thursday 17th April 1941.
On 17th April his girl friend Bette sent him a telegram with the message’
‘Good luck to Bette the Spitfire’.
On 18th April 1941 Alex Lumbsden added an entry to his log book that simple says next to that days hours flown in P8088 ‘Named Betty’.

An interesting snippet of historic triva for you all.
(I hope the uploaded scans of the pilots log book and telegram have uploaded clearly)

cheers Jon
(Hopefully some war time photos of Borough of Lambeth to follow shortly)

Borough of Lambeth P8088

Im obviously very pleased to see how much genuine interest there has been in the history of P8088.
Just to keep the record straight, here is some info which I trust will help.

From the box of museum pieces, which also included an original museum display board. The fuselage section that you see consists of alot of original material. How much is difficult to be accurate depending on if you are going by weight or surface area, but the following, I hope helps to clarify this.
There are some sections that were so badly bent or corroded that I could not heat treat and straighten so they are still in a box. All parts that could be annealed and sympathetically re-shaped have been included in the rebuild.
To help identify the original P8088 remains with in the fuselage I have not repainted any of the original material and these parts show up very nicely as they are nearly all devoid of paint. Any new material or old original skins etc from other aircraft have been left in original paint or green zinc coated where necessary.
Where parts of original frames are installed, a complete new frame has been installed for support and the original parts fitted over or on it.

By doing this I have, I hope, managed to ensure that as much of the original aircraft that was recovered is all safely and permantely constructed into a fuselage section which will ensure none of the original parts of P8088 can be lost or sold of as ‘trinket ebay bits’.

Incidentally I have been lucky enough to contact Peter Lumbsden, the son of Allen the WW2 pilot of Borough of Lambeth P8088. He has original photos of his father flying P8088 and also a picture next to a display of the remains when it was in a museum. Also his log book of his time flying her. Im certainly intrigued to see these and will endeavour to add all this info with pictures to my web site of interesting ‘stuff’
There is also a great picture of the original ‘Spitfire fund collection for Borough of Lambeth’ which I shall post.
http://www.spitfires.talktalk.net
when I have met Peter some time later this year.
All of this has taken alot of time so please bear with me, but please enjoy as it progresses.

Other comments..
Frame 5 back to front….ooops…blimey, dead right, how did I miss that……..I will rectify that shortly. I obviously didnt see the wood for the trees, or is it the fuse for the frames.
Up for sale at 150K. Well this is actually a price put forward by Legendary aircraft and includes alot more than just buying it, eg discussion and plan to rebuild etc etc. I wont cover this more here as you can see what is being offered on the web site. I havent actually put a personal sale price on the remains at the moment, although Im sure you will appreciate that these aircraft certainly deserve being preserved and I have to admit that I hope my efforts will one day prove to be a worth while investment.
In the mean time I have used the fuselage to take to scout events. This has allowed alot of people to enjoy it, sit in it and generate some cash for the scouts, a group I think are worth supporting and also give kids alot of great experiences. (sales support pitch over)
Any way I hope you are all pleased to see that P8088 has to a reasonable level survived and will now, one way or another, pass into future history for others to enjoy.

In response to question of kit showing aircraft as a MK I….
P8088 was actually a MK IIa.

In my experience I always use a wide angle lens.
It allows a deep depth of field which means you can get some of the aircraft in as well as sky horizon and ground. ‘ie get the big picture.
It also reduces the effect of camera shake and so helps keep focus.

Avoid shooting when sun is direct over head, it makes for short shadows and a dull pic. The ‘Golden hour’ about 1 hour before sunset is always the best if you can get it !

Carry spare batteries & Keep the Lens clean. Obvious stuff but easily overlooked.

Here’s a selection of wide angle stills from video we have taken over the years

Oh yes … try and use the best camera you can afford. The Number of times Ive gone up with and small pocket job only to spoil what could have been a great shot… Kick myself ? all the way home.

regards
Jon R