Mark 12,
Three of the Spitfires ended their service in the overall silver/red spinner these were 158,161 and 162. The other three in Green/red spinner,two with the three colour boss and one (160 )with the two colour boss. I think I know the source for dating the picture which is incorrect as in October 1960 only two were airworthy 161 and 163. 161 the camera ship was silver overall at the time of the picture I know it looks Sh***y, but silver it was. The red spinner (there were only two colours used Green or red) was introduced during service beginning in late 1951 and early 1952 and applied as the aircraft went for inspections.This was in line with the Seafire red spinners who for a short period had actually adopted red (A Flt) Blue (B Flt) and yellow (CFlt.) The date of the introduction of the three colour boss began with a Chipmunk in June 1956 and folowed by the arrival of the three Vampires in July already painted at DeHavillands. Then introduced progressivly as aircraft came in for serviceing.

The Spitfire TrVIII G AIDN (type 499 !!!!!)was demonstrated to the Air Corps in Jan 1950 and flown by W/Comm Boyd with passenger Mr Morgan (no first names mentioned) was this by any choice Eric Morgan?
HTH
Tony K

Irish Hawker Hector/Hind

Hi Alex,
I believe that it was two Hectors recovered. One in very bad condition, the other is believed to be the fuselage of K8130 Irish Air Corps serial 88. I understand that work progresses at a slow rate at an undisclosed location. 88 was damaged landing on 3 September 1942 at Rathduff Co. Tipperary and after temporary repairs on site it was flown back to Baldonnel on 11 September and then WFU.
HTH regards,
Tony Kearns

Hurricane impounded!!!

Von Perthes,
Hurricane P5178 flown by P/O Paul Mayhew 79Sqn. was not impounded but purchased by the Irish Government and became serial no. 93 in the Irish Air Corps. Mayhew was interned but later escaped. Goorge Peters is buried at Rathnew Co. Wicklow. The sea gave up his body on the Wicklow coast. He was buried with full military honours. The third pilot that day was Nelson-Edwards—-the famous. He was picked up by a passing vessel.
Tony Kearns

Spitfire Vb BM533 EB-W 41 Sqn

Seafire RXi68

Is there any information as to how much of the original Irish Air Corps Seafire exists ? It was at a Technical College in Dublin prior to going to the UK. On each number of occasions when I visited the College it seemed to be cut up more and more and parts destroyed. There were no wings. Is it a question of building a Seafire around the manufacturers plate?
Regards to all
Tony K

Neutral Countries at War

Hi Eric,
Your mention of the ASI hit the memory button,great to hear from you I do remember you and hope that you are doing very well in UK. Best wishes
Tony K

Neutral Countries at War

Eric Mc, as this is a historical forum and in an unpolitical context I would like to mention to Eric Mc a fellow Dubliner that the name of the country is Ireland (Eire in the native tongue). Under the 1937 Constitution it was changed from the Irish Free State. You are of course quite correct that there is no memorial but all are honoured each year as Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in all wars.
Allan 125 Mentions the fact that German dead from all over Ireland were reinterred in Glencree 12 miles South of Dublin. I often wonder why the UK authorities did not do the same for its dead. Many lie in lonely and isolated graves. I have visited many, usually after trudging many miles over narrow tracks having left my car. How difficult it must be for elderly relatives to visit the last resting places. On the other hand the Germans come to Glencree every year to honour their dead in a dedicated location.
Tony K