Martin: No pictures of the Heron on the fire dump, but just a comment.
As we have corresponded, and you know well: there is some confusion between 14072 (XR443) and 14092 (XR445). It seems that 443 was the one which is now in the Al Mahatta Museum in Sharjah, while 445 was broken up at Booker. However, the one at Al Mahatta has “XR445” inside no 1 engine cowling!
I post this in case someone may have some information.

Interesting to think that more modern mark numbers (eg Mk 1) seem to have been issued from day 1. Maybe that dates from when F, B, C etc prefixes became common. Just flicking through my Jane’s 1958, the first ones I notice are the Beverley and Sea Vixen, both Mk 1s when there were no projected Mk 2s, as far as I know.

To quote Andy in post 89:

Yes, interesting stuff Mark12. It seems, then, that Mk (or MARK) was not used until later on in the Spitfire production runs.
However, so far as I can establish the earlier versions were all I, II, V etc with not a Mk in sight. If someone can show otherwise then I’d be really very keen to know!
😀

I have just been looking at a copy of “Aircraft Identification Friend or Foe?”, inherited from my father, published by the Aeroplane in 1940. It illustrates the “Spitfire Mk I”, as well as the “Hurricane Mk I”, “Blenheim Mk I and Mk IV F”, “Wellington Mk IA”, but the “Whitley IV”.

Sorry about the ink spot (which is very old!)

You bet, Jim! And much of our mutual pleasure with the Upwood Lincolns was due to the 115 ATC liaison officer, F/L JB Stephens whom both of us have been trying to relocate for years. Anyone know where he is now?

see:https://sites.google.com/site/lgarey/115sqdairtrainingcorps

And another

Sad to see that another Magister (F-AZZE) crashed with the loss of the two aboard a couple of days ago
http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/08/06/two-people-killed-in-fouga-magister-crash/