Mystery Spitfire photo

[72modeler]

Stumbled upon this while exploring the IWM photo collection. Very interesting Spitfire, markings and camouflage-wise! Anybody have more on this one? Amusing artwork, to say the least. According to the photo caption, picture was taken in 1943 and the Spit in the background is a 309th FS, 31st FG machine.

Mike

 

 

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205371218

[Procopius]

27 minutes ago, 72modeler said:

Stumbled upon this while exploring the IWM photo collection. Very interesting Spitfire, markings and camouflage-wise! Anybody have more on this one? Amusing artwork, to say the least. According to the photo caption, picture was taken in 1943 and the Spit in the background is a 309th FS, 31st FG machine.

Mike

 

 

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205371218

The American Beagle Squadron was the 2nd FS, part of the similiarly Spitfire-equipped 52nd FG. This is Spitfire QP-A of Lt Richard "Dixie" Alexander, from Grant Park, IL, about seventy miles south of my home. He enlisted in the RCAF and flew with 133 (Eagle) Squadron in the RAF, and between his time in the RCAF and with the USAAF claimed at least four and possibly six victories before being shot down and taken POW on 30 May 1944. He lost his arm in an accident in 1947 and was medically retired from the USAF as a captain in 1948. He died in 1993.

 

EDIT: And he wrote an autobiography!