Geoffrey Sinclair

Not sure I understand the question given the Texan was the T-6 / AT-6 / SNJ / Harvard but assuming Texan means AT-6D. Air Arsenal North America notes 512 RAF Harvard III were built between AT-6D construction numbers 14383 and 17013, so 512 RAF, 2,119 US. Which would indicate the Harvard III was a standard AT-6D. Another 20 for the RN were construction numbers 14732 to 14751.

Doubt you are responsible for any confusion. The RAF Documentation, First contract card notes serials L1547 to L2146, 600 aircraft. Contract summary card, Requisition 26/36 Contract 527112/36 for 520 mark I plus 80 for other governments. All 80 for other governments were allocated an RAF serial and have entries in the contract cards and delivery logs against the relevant serial noting which country they were sold to. The 80 include the following contract as far as the RAF is concerned. Requisition 215/38 Contract 966177/38 for 20 mark I purchased for Canada. So the RAF was noting where the aircraft were going to and using the RAF serial for its record keeping, rather than allocating it to another aircraft. I do not see anything wrong with intended as a description, similar for the Hurricanes from the order sold to other countries. They all had RAF serials allocated, I have no information what serial was painted on each at roll out or put on the data plate, but there is a good chance it was the purchaser's, not the RAF one, given the data plate for RCAF 323 and that other Hurricanes in the order were sold to South Africa and Turkey as ex RAF aircraft, not contract diversions/deletions. It probably depended if the purchaser let Hawker know early enough.

Thanks for the URL, nice site, a little outside current main activities of what was built, when and where they ended up. Interesting to note the RAAF listing from mid 1943 for Bankstown has it at 33 degrees 55 minutes South 150 degrees 58 minutes East, 50 feet above sea level. 2 runways proposed but obviously not done before the RN took over. Usage as a fighter airfield and aircraft park, 27 fighter dispersals, 1 splinter proofed dispersal. Number 2 Aircraft Park was in residence 19 December 1940 to 28 March 1945.

Delivery Logs: P3059, taken on charge 5 June 1940, to 10 MU 11 June 1940, to HB? CFF? 19 June 1940, to 10 MU 20 June 1940, to 501 Squadron 9 July 1940 Battle of Britain Then and Now: 18 August 1940, bounced by BF109s of JG26 over Canterbury 1.30pm, shot down by Oblt. G. Schoepfel, Pilot Officer K.N.T. Lee admitted to hospital with leg wounds, aircraft SD-N a write off.

Do you have an acceptance date for Bu.No. 49664? The USN reports treat the following as diversions from their original contracts, that is accepted as standard F4U then converted, XF4U-3 Bu.Nos. 02157, 17516, 49664 and XF4U-4 Bu.Nos. 49763, 50301. While it treats XF4U-4 Bu.Nos. 80759-80763 as new aircraft, part of the F4U-4 contract, 3 accepted in September and 2 in December 1944. The War Production Board notes the acceptance, all in 1944, of 2 XF4U-3 (1 each in February and April) and 7 XF4U-4 (all in December). The USN reports 02157 accepted on 15 August 1942, crashed 31 March 1943 17658 accepted on 11 August 1943 Which leaves 49664, probably accepted as a standard F4U in January 1944, assuming builds in Bu.No. order. Of course when it comes to the many experimental types when they were officially accepted has little relationship to when they were first flown or modified. So from U.S. Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects: Fighters 1939-1945 By William Norton comes 17516 first flew in its modified state on 26 March 1944, 49664 on 20 September 1944, while 02157 contributed little. The book also has XF2G-1, 13471-2, 14691-5, with 13471 first flight 26 August 1944, 3rd example to USN on 27 November 1944. The USN again treats the aircraft as diversions and has XF2G-1 acceptances as 1 in April 1943, 2 in December 1943 and 5 in September 1944, none of which are mentioned in the War Production Report.

It will be interesting to see what the BuAer records have. The only original documents I have for Brewster's Corsairs are production figures and contract numbers, the comment about quality was from a tour of the various web sites and references to try and figure out production by version once it was obvious there were differences. Everyone agreed the number of Brewster built Corsairs for the RN and usually mentioned the quality issues as well.

Yes, direct shipments. No idea of whether the aircraft were crated in merchant ships, deck cargo on tankers, on escort carriers etc. No Corsairs (or Avengers, Hellcats and Wildcats for that matter) were officially exported from the UK, any that left were part of military moves. The figures being quoted are raw, number in, number out. As another example, total Hawker Typhoon exports April 1940 to December 1945 number 6, versus all those deployed to France and Germany. So there are clearly 2 classifications, exported which the report counts, or left as part of a military move, which are not counted as exports. The UK imports and export figures are mostly from Archives file AIR 19/524. Exports from the UK of obviously non UK built types, April 1940 to December 1945. 1 Caudron Goellard, 1 Caudron Simoun, 3 Dewoitine, 1 Farman, 6 Fiesler Storch, 1 Junkers 88, 2 Messerchmitts, 1 Morane, 2 Potez. 494 Airacobra, 1 Airacomet, 1 Baltimore, 226 Boston, 15 Brewster, 54 Dakota, 116 Liberator, 3 Lockheed Electra, 4 Marauder, 9 Maryland, 67 Glenn Martin, 181 Mohawk, 170 Mustang, 60 Northrop, 229 Tomahawk, 4 Vega Gull Imports were 480 Airacobra, 1 YP-59A, 7 Baltimore, 731 Boston, 33 Brewster, 896 Dakota, 751 Liberator, 3 Lockheed Electra, 7 Marauder, 87 Maryland, 204 Mohawk, 1,898 Mustang, 61 Northrop, 461 Tomahawk. Yes more exports of Airacobra than imports, all Airacobra exports went to Russia, The YP-59A Airacomet to the US, most of the rest to the Middle East/North Africa/Mediterranean, except most Dakota and Liberator, plus 67 Mustangs, and 86 Mohawks to India, 62 Mohawk and 60 Northrop to South Africa,

We know the Spitfires sent to Malta from the UK on Wasp and Furious were counted as exports, and that also applies to other carrier runs to places like Takoradi. However if the RN in Britain loads RN aircraft onto an RN carrier which then heads overseas it is quite possible they are counted as military movements. Given reports of escort carriers loaded with Corsairs sailing from Britain to India and the Pacific in 1944/45 with no exports recorded that would be my operating conclusion - officially military movements. While there is a need to equip the training units, the UK imported 721 Corsairs plus those arriving as equipment of the squadrons that had formed in the US, I doubt the training units needed that many even allowing for attrition. As of 25 December 1943 the RN says it had 54 Corsair II in the UK and 93 overseas, total 147, of these 21 and 73 respectively were classified as reserves, with reserves including 25 aircraft in transit and up to 48 aircraft awaiting modification or shipment in the US. There were a total of 68 Corsair II in the US and West Indies Area. Corsair I, a non operational type, strength was 11 in the UK (9 reserves) and 63 overseas (22 attached to first line squadrons working up and 30 reserves) All of the overseas Corsairs were in the US and West Indies area. So 74 I and 147 II versus 95 I and 230 II accepted in the US by the end of 1943.

The RN and RNZAF Corsair Production Story. The USN does not separate out the F4U-1 from the F4U-1D (Corsair I and II). USN report, Corsair I/II, 325 accepted in 1943 Corsair I/II, 278 accepted in 1944 + 370 for New Zealand. The standard references state the RN received 95 Corsair I and 510 Corsair II, or 2 more than the US report, the RNZAF reports receiving 237 I and 127 II, or 6 less than in the USN report, there were theatre transfers to the RNZAF from the USN. The New Zealand aircraft were accepted January to August 1944. F3A/Corsair III, 430 accepted in 1944, everyone agrees, including on the build quality. FG/Corsair IV, 698 accepted in 1944, Corsair IV, 231 accepted in 1945 + 60 for New Zealand The standard references state the RN received 857 Corsair IV, with another 120 cancelled, so total order 977, versus the USN 929 actually built, 72 more than the RN reports delivered to it. Given the USN reports production for the RN was 42 in July and 38 in August 1945 it seems clear the extra aircraft were not delivered before the end of the war. The 60 mark IV for New Zealand were accepted January to April 1945. The UK imports report tracks deliveries of aircraft to British forces, excluding those that arrived as part of military units. So the difference between production and imports should in theory equal the aircraft in RN units that formed in the US. As far as I am aware the following are all imports from the US, given the UK export report does not have any Corsair but does have Tomahawk exports, which indicates if Corsairs were shipped from the UK, other than in a military unit, they would have been listed as exports. The import report says 11 Corsair I to UK July to October 1943. Corsair II, 165 to India January 1944 to November 1944 and 1 more in March 1945, total 166 and 204 to UK November 1943 to October 1944. Grand total 370 Corsair III, 39 to India in July, 3 in August and 1 in October 1944, total 43 and 272 to UK March to August 1944, 8 from November 1944 to February 1945, 1 in June 1945, total 281. Grand total 324. Corsair IV imports look like this, Month / Australia / India / UK Sep-44 / 0 / 0 / 52 Oct-44 / 0 / 126 / 45 Nov-44 / 0 / 19 / 46 Dec-44 / 9 / 30 / 17 Jan-45 / 0 / 16 / 5 Feb-45 / 40 / 62 / 0 Mar-45 / 27 / 29 / 0 Apr-45 / 34 / 2 / 0 May-45 / 26 / 0 / 22 Jun-45 / 0 / 0 / 21 Jul-45 / 46 / 0 / 17 Aug-45 / 3 / 0 / 0 Sep-45 / 22 / 0 / 0 Total / 207 / 284 / 225 Grand total 716.

The pathfinder force was typical for raids that July/August. Bomber Command had a nominal 3 squadrons of Mosquitoes (2 and a half operational) but that translated to 36 serviceable aircraft with operational crews on 17 August 1943. 5 Group, in the last wave, used what they called the "Time and Distance" method as an alternative to the pathfinders. It would be good to find what the definition of scientist and civilian are in the various casualty reports, there were the civilians living in the area plus lots of families of workers and a number of high skill engineers, drafts/trades people and so on working on bleeding edge equipment, including guidance systems, not necessarily counted as scientists. The number of casualties, and material damage, from bombings were extremely variable, warnings that were heeded and good shelters were the usual best defence. The incendiary watches that most bombed locations learnt to employ were people out looking for and making safe incendiary bombs to prevent fires taking hold, showing how "safe" being out in a raid was, they certainly took casualties, usually small versus the number of people involved. There are stories of personnel at Peenemunde running into burning buildings to save important items. Most human settlements have military significance, the cross roads, the river crossing, on the high ground, the rail station, the siding and so on, even just the buildings themselves. The many small and medium sized ones rarely had shelters or warning systems, casualties per ton of bombs dropped on them tended to be at the higher end. The casualties in the labour camp are a warning about ideas of bombing such camps, it was a fraction of the bombing done early in the raid due to mismarking. Using the W.R. Chorley books, Bomber Command Losses, Peenemunde Raid 244 Killed, 45 PoW, 1 injured, 20 safe (plus any casualties in damaged aircraft). The injured and safe were from 3 Halifaxes, one crashed on take off, one on landing and one was written off as the result of a night fighter attack. Counting the above 3 Halifaxes a total of 43 aircraft lost, 10 Halifax II, 8 Halifax V, 4 Lancaster I, 3 Lancaster II, 16 Lancaster III, 2 Stirling III. Luftwaffe night fighter losses reported as 12, 3 were lost to 141 Squadron Serrate equipped Beaufighters and returning bomber gunners claimed 5 kills. Earlier in the night a 10/NGJ1 nightfighter mistook a returning Do217M for a Wellington and shot it down. Apart from that the nightfighters claimed 42 kills, 3 were disallowed, 18 have been matched or probably matched to RAF losses in Nachtjagd War Diaries and most losses were definitely due to nightfighters. For completeness, 1 Mosquito lost on Berlin raid, 2 crew killed (nightfighter kill), 1 Mosquito crashed on landing from the raid, crew injured and 1 Special Duties Halifax II was lost over L'Aigle France, 7 crew killed. German preliminary raid report, using it and looking at Peenemude using online maps can give you an idea of the area hit by bombs. PEENEMUENDE, 8a 1151 - Min of Pub, Inf. & Prop, E. 1679 - Chief, Orpo., Transl. of German doc. - AD1K Report 2521/45, 17/18 AUGUST. The alarm lasted from 2311 hours until 0340 hours over a wide area and there were 300 penetrations, of which 10 paid a visit to Berlin. Bombs dropped: 1000 H.E. (60 duds or D.A.), an untold number of incendiary and phosphorous bombs and drums. Casualties: 6 - 800 dead, 300 injured and about 9000 were rendered homeless. Several hutted camps and settlements in Kaarlshagen were destroyed and about 20 houses destroyed and nearly all others damaged in Trassenheide. Karlshagen is reported as being 90% and Trassenheide 30% destroyed. The road to Peenemuende was severely damaged. One industrial complex at Karlshagen was damaged and the development works in Peenemuende 80% destroyed. The A.4 assembly plant and the power station and oxygen plant as well as the administrative building and drawing office of the East Plant were destroyed. Light and water supplies, telephone and works railway were put out of action. The greater loss was not so much in the destruction of buildings as in the loss of material and accommodation for the staff.

To move from the specific to the more general for the night. Peenemunde raid 17/18 August 1943, Three aiming points, scientists' and workers' living quarters, the rocket factory and the experimental station, the pathfinders shifting between the aiming points during the raid. Bombs dropped, Pathfinders, Halifax, 21 attacking, 7x1000 GP, 11x1000 MC, 81x500 MC, 552x40 pound High Explosive, 60x250 pound target indicator Lancaster, 70 attacking, 67x4000 HC, 122x1000 MC, 195x500 MC, 1416x40 pound High Explosive, 162x250 pound target indicator, 216 flares Main Force, Stirling, 50 attacking, 10x2000 HC, 31x1000 GP, 17x1000 MC, 9x500 GP, 45x500 MC pound High Explosive, 984x30, 480x4 "X", 14,100x4 pound incendiary Halifax, 189 attacking, 115x2000 HC, 17x1000 GP, 149x1000 MC, 38x500 GP, 894x500 MC High Explosive, 2226x30, 510x4 "X", 28,170x4 pound incendiary Lancaster, 251 attacking, 166x4000 HC, 8x4000 MC, 610x1000 GP, 591x1000 MC, 69x500 GP, 324x500 MC pound High Explosive, 6084x30, 780x4 "X", 38,280x4 pound incendiary 1 Lancaster attacked Sylt, 1x4000 HC, 6x1000 GP, 2x500 GP pound High Explosive 1 Lancaster attacked Sylt airfield, 1x4000 HC, 2x1000 GP, 2x1000 MC pound High Explosive 1 Halifax attacked "other target", 56x30, 720x4 pound incendiary 3 Lancasters each made 2 attacks, the primary covered above, the secondaries dropping a total of 3x500 MC and 24x40 pound High Explosive The Mosquito raid on Berlin, 8 attacking, dropped 24x500 MC and 8x250 pound high explosive. As can be seen above while there is a typical/average load there was plenty of variation. The campaign summaries list the Halifax as dropping one 8,000 pound and 467x4,000 pound bombs. Wellingtons 1,931x4,000 pound bombs

The dust baffle part was on the belief such baffles might/would be visible in photographs. The coating part was in the same reports.

No comments to make about paint schemes. Data from the RAAF weekly reports and British production reports. Coastal version Beaufighter production was only mark I at Fairey August 1941 to January 1942, Bristol started VIc in February 1942 (only 1 for the month), Fairey in March. Mark X production began in December 1942, but given the first 60 tend to be classified as VI (Interim Torpedo Fighter), really in March 1943, by which time Fairey was building the last six VIc. Mark XI production was January to April 1943. So if you wanted coastal version Beaufighters those were your choices. The first RAAF Beaufighter order was under Overseas Indent (OI) 910 in mid 1941, for 54 aircraft. In the 21 August 1941 report confirmation was being requested of the Beaufighter delivery schedule ex UK of 12 in December 1941, then 14 per month January to March 1942, the confirmation arrived within a week. The 27 November 1941 report from the UK has the first 12 aircraft in various stages of assembly, and the first to be test flown "this week", but none were shipped until February 1942. In March 1942 the RAAF went to a 73 squadron plan, the 54 Beaufighters ordered on OI 910 were joined by another 308 on OI 1110, a reply to the request came within a week, little chance of any of the extra order. In early May OI 910 was expanded by an additional 18 for wastage requirements, at 6 a month from May. Then came reports of mark VI tentatively allocated for August and September, again 6 per month. In early September OI 1110 dropped to 18 aircraft at the same time as the first mark IV shipment was notified. In early November 1942 the 6 aircraft per month shipments were to be continued indefinitely as wastage requirements, by late November the number shipped and arrived was greater than the number on order, even though quotas were running towards a month behind, 102 Beaufighters had arrived or were reported en route. So OI 1110 was raised to 72 aircraft, to cover 12 months wastage, July 1942 to June 1943, presuming there would be approval, which came later. So a total of 144 officially ordered to date. The two lost on the SS Ceramic on 14 January 1943 were going to be replaced but effectively never were. The shipping quota was raised from 6 to 8 per month for 4 months from February/March onwards to replace those on Ceramic and build up a reserve in Australia against further losses at sea, with the extra quota to be extended if there were any further such losses. However four more lost at sea (plus 10 Ansons) on 2 April 1943 on the SS Melbourne Star were again effectively never replaced. By end June 1943 the number arrived plus those en route once again exceeded the number on order, by mid August 12 more, the initial idea was to order another 36, quickly amended to 72, and in early October it became OI 1334, finally approved in early November, raising the total order to 216, by which time 162 Beaufighters had arrived and 12 were en route. First Australian Beaufighter production was in May 1944, with 112 accepted by the end of the year. To the individual aircraft. The ADF serials site was updated in September 2019, so this is a chance to see if it still has any holes. Also like most RAAF aircraft the Beaufighter aircraft cards, accident and casualty reports are mostly digitised and can be viewed on the Australian Archives web site. As are the squadron history sheets. Interestingly the RAF Delivery Logs record the RAAF serials of the Beaufighters which helps cross checking, unlike say the Spitfire entries. Why the RAAF ended up with 20 out of the 163 mark XI built is unclear, possibly while waiting for the definitive mark X to come into production. The RAAF issued 218 Beaufighter serials, while reporting 210 were imported. The difference of 8 is made up of the 6 lost at sea, plus A19-218/LX815 which was officially the pattern aircraft for local production (Like L4448 for the Beaufort production), meaning it was not classified as an RAAF order. In the 25 March 1943 report one of three Beaufighter on an unnamed ship was damaged crossing the Atlantic and offloaded at New York, this was most probably A19-105/EL412 which ultimately ended up in India on 28 August 1943 and SOC 22 February 1945. Note also in March 1943 A19-109/EL518 arrived damaged in transit and needed repair before RAAF service. The initial batch of T serial mark I for the RAAF were taken on RAF charge 21 December 1941, nearby serials that stayed in Britain are reported as being delivered to Maintenance Units in late November. There does not seem to be any major delays between production and packing for shipment. The UK export report is built on the weekly summaries so tends to have 4 and 5 week months, the following table is reported UK Beaufighter exports, reported Australian imports (which are for the calendar month), and notes. Why the RAF thinks 226 Beaufighters were exported to Australia and what happened to the difference of 8 aircraft is unknown, nor when they wre exported. Essentially a continuing supply, no clear breaks. Month / Export / Arrive / Jan-42 / / / Feb-42 / 14 / / Mar-42 / 37 / 2 / Apr-42 / 3 / 18 / May-42 / 7 / 19 / Jun-42 / 10 / 19 / Jul-42 / 1 / 4 / Aug-42 / 3 / 8 / Sep-42 / 3 / 1 / Oct-42 / 11 / 7 / Nov-42 / 11 / / Dec-42 / 6 / 11 / Jan-43 / 5 / 5 / 2 lost at sea, 14 January 1943, on SS Ceramic Feb-43 / 2 / 6 / Mar-43 / 12 / 8 / 1 reported unloaded in New York due to damage, probably A19-105/EL412, one needing repairs on arrival, A19-109/EL518 damaged in transit Apr-43 / 8 / 7 / 4 lost at sea, 2 April 1943 on SS Melbourne Star (plus 10 Ansons) May-43 / 13 / 3 / Jun-43 / 10 / 9 / Jul-43 / 14 / 11 / Aug-43 / 4 / 12 / Sep-43 / 4 / 6 / Oct-43 / 10 / 6 / Nov-43 / 8 / 6 / Dec-43 / / 6 / Jan-44 / 4 / 4 / Feb-44 / 9 / 6 / Mar-44 / 5 / 2 / Apr-44 / 7 / 10 / May-44 / 5 / 2 / Australian Beaufighter production begins, 1 in May, 2 in June, 8 in July. Jun-44 / / 4 / Jul-44 / / 8 / Total / 226 / 210 / The 3 February 1943 report from the Air Member for Engineering and Maintenance states A9-93 (ex EL438) was the first dihedral tail Beaufighter delivered, at 2 Aircraft Park for erection, ADF serials have it arriving in January 1943. A19-2 as of 19 July 1944 it was at 1 Aircraft Performance Unit, with Wright engines, awaiting return of reconditioned fuel tanks and with cowl gill modifications proceeding. As of 20 September it was ready for the latest test flights, on 4 October 1944 a dihedral tail plane was being installed, in mid November undercarriage door modifications were being done, in January 1945 hydraulically operated undercarriage doors were being installed and so on. For hopefully better detail than in the weekly reports, A9186 307 RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 1 Aircraft Performance Unit Dec 43 - Nov 60 is digitised

The RAAF states A9-93, ex EL438 was the first dihedral tail Beaufighter delivered, arriving in January 1943. A19-73 to -93 (and beyond) were mark VIc, T or EL serials. The ADF Serials A19 Beaufighter page has a number of photographs. T5258 was a mark VIc. The Book U-boats destroyed by Paul Kemp credits U-418 as sunk by "B" or 236 squadron, on 1 June 1943, 56.31N, 8.55W, F/O M.C. Bateman as pilot, Lt-Cdr. F.J. Brookes RN specialist ASW officer as observer, 4 rockets fired, only evidence was a large patch of green water, attack graded as serious damage, later (September) upgraded to a kill, and the pilot received the DFC. No mention of the 30 May 1943 attack by Catalina G/210 Squadron. Coastal Command's weekly report notes on 30 May 1943 in the Bay of Biscay, a Catalina dropped 4x270 (250?) pound Torpex depth charges on a U-boat which slowed down. For 1 June in the Bay of Biscay a Beaufighter fired 8 rockets at a U-boat which entered the water short of the target, no results seen.

The RAAF reported dust problems with Merlins, so ran some tests with locally made dust baffles "intended as an alternative to any kind of air filter", on Mosquito A52-42 in late 1944/early 1945. The result in January 1945 was an immediate order for 50 sets to be forwarded to the Mosquito squadrons. Also after hail damage to the main and tail plane leading edges of A52-9 and A52-26 tests were done coating the edges with what the RAAF called Christofin, "material has been subjected to shot blast tests and has marked resistance to abrasion", the results were good enough to make it a standard treatment for Mosquitoes, including those already in service. Again tested in late 1944 and made the rule in early January 1945.

The Battle of Britain Then and Now lists Pilot Officer G.H.A. Wellam with 92 squadron. No idea about what modifications were done to K9998, the following is the service record to November 1940, in the hope others can date the various modifications and whether they were done at squadron or maintenance unit level to give an idea of the possibilities. K9998 Taken on Charge 9 May 1939, Allotment Number 14451 22 May 1939, First flight 1 June 1939, Pilot date 3 June 1939, delivered the same day, 6 MU Brize Norton 22 August 1939, 504 Squadron 2 November 1939, 603 Squadron 4 days later, AST 4 MU 24 February 1940, 92 Squadron 2 July 1940, 7 OTU 1 November 1940, Westlands SAS "B" 4 November 1940, back to 7 OTU later in November, ultimately became 2822M, SOC 4 December 1941. How much is the aerial tied in with the move from HF to VHF radios? Geoffrey Sinclair

First unit issued to other than initial delivery to Maintenance Unit, also second unit if there was a quick reassignment, and when officially lost. Issue dates generally seem similar to other Hurricanes with nearby serials. Some of the entries are hard to read, so if people have better dates please post them. P3714, 253 Sqn 12 June 1940, 1 CRU?/4 MU 4? September 1940, later became mark II DR341, Russia P3715, 238 Sqn 18 June 1940, 19 MU 20 Jun 1940, 242 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 30 Jun 1943 P3716, 229 Sqn 4 June 1940, 15 MU 2 July 1940, SOC 1 Apr 1942 P3717, 238 Sqn 18 June 1940, 19 MU 20 June 1940, 253 Sqn 13 July 1940, later became mark II DR348, Russia P3737, 605 Sqn 3 July 1940, SOC 1 November 1940 P3738, RAF Station? ?llck 5 July 1940, 232 Sqn 21 July 1940, SOC 22 Sep 1940 P3739, Transferred from 22 to 5 MU 16 August 1940, 141 Sqn 20 August 1940, SOC 16 March 1942 P3755, 87 Sqn 25 June 1940, SOC 27 December 1940 P3757, 1 RCAF Sqn 26 June 1940 P3758, 73 Sqn 21 June 1940, SOC 2 September 1940. P3759, 245 Sqn 26 June 1940, became mark II DR349, Russia. P3760, CFF 11 June 1940, SOC 19 August 1940 P3761, 245 Sqn 26 June 1940, SOC 29 December 1941 P3767, 238 Sqn 11 July 1940, 263 Sqn 15 JUly 1940, SOC 1 April 1941 P3768, transferred from 20 to 47 MU 14 August 1940, Middle East, "Unknown Destination" 9 November 1940 P3770, 3 Sqn 11 July 1940, 504 Sqn 16 August 1940, SOC 11 September 1940. P3771, 3 Sqn 11 July 1940, Rolls Royce 20 July 1940, SOC 31 May 1943 P3772, 3 Sqn 12 July 1940, 504 Sqn 14 September 1940, SOC 27 May 1941 P3773, 3 Sqn 11 July 1940, no further information P3774, 3 Sqn 12 July 1940, 504 Sqn 14 September 1940, SOC 21 September 1940 P3854, 7 OTU 17 June 1940, 5 OTU 13 August 1940, SOC 22 May 1941 P3858, 1 RCAF Sqn 26 June 1940, SOC 18 September 1940 P3859, 1 RCAF Sqn 26 June 1940, SOC 19 September 1940 P3860, 607 Sqn 4 July 1940, SOC 8 October 1940 P3861, 249 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 5 March 1945 P3862, 249 Sqn 13 July 1940, CAT E 30 May 1944 P3863, 73 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC June 1944 P3864, 242 Sqn 13 July 1940, AMDP 19 August 1940, 242 Sqn 25 August 1940, SOC 17 January 1941 P3865, 73 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 23 September 1940 P3866, 249 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 12 May 1941 P3867, 302 Sqn 27 July 1940, SOC 4 March 1941 P3868, 249 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 13 September 1942 P3869, 1 RCAF Sqn 22 July 1940, SOC 31 August 1940 P3872, 1 RCAF Sqn 30 June 1940, SOC 2 November 1940 P3873, 1 RCAF Sqn 30 July 1940, SOC 10 October 1940 P3874, 1 RCAF Sqn 30 July 1940, SOC 2 September 1940 P3875, 111 Sqn 18 July 1940, SOC 2 September 1940 P3882, 151 Sqn 2 July 1940, SOC 30 September 1940 P3883, 1 RACF Sqn 11 July 1940, SOC 19 November 1940 P3884, 601 Sqn 12 July 1940, SOC 31 December 1946 P3885, 601 Sqn 12 July 1940, SOC 13 August 1940 P3886, 601 Sqn 12 July 1940, SOC 28 September 1944 P3887, 310 Sqn 19 July 1940, SOC 1 September 1940 P3888, 310 Sqn 19 July 1940, SOC 11 September 1940 P3889, 310 Sqn 19 July 1940, SOC 1 November 1940 P3890, 257 Sqn 9 August 1940, 303 Sqn 10 August 1940, SOC 8 September 1940 P3897, 1 Sqn 12 August 1940, SOC 11 September 1940 P8816, 501 Sqn 7 August 1940, SOC 26 November 1940 P8817, Transferred from 5 to 50? MU 22 August 1940, sold to South Africa the same day. P8818, 601 Sqn 25 July 1940, SOC 23 September 1940 R2680, 238 Sqn 7 August 1940, SOC 27 April 1943 R2681, 238 Sqn 8 August 1940, SOC 27 November 1944 V7200, 79 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 14? September? 1940? V7201, 46 Sqn 12 July 1940, CAT E 27 May 1944 V7202, 46 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 31 December 1940 V7203, 242 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 30 January 1941 V7204, 87 Sqn 13 July 1940, SOC 4 January 1941 V7205, 32 Sqn 24 July 1940, SOC 12 August 1940 V7206, 43 Sqn 23 July 1940, SOC 27 January 1941 V7207, 87 Sqn 13 July 1940, To FAA, Cat E 13 October 1944 V7208, 213 Sqn 23 July 1940, SOC 28 September 1944 V7209, 73 Sqn 23 July 1940, Robin Sites? (Ship name?) 8 April 1941 V7222, 111 Sqn 14 August 1940, 13 MU 27 August 1940 for repairs, SOC 22 November 1942 V7224, 213 Sqn 14 August 1940, CAT E 30 September 1943 V7225, 87 Sqn 14 August 1940, SOC 26 August 1941 V7226, 87? Sqn 12 Aug 1940, 213 Sqn same day, SOC 30 September 1940 V7227, 87 Sqn 13 August 1940, 213 Sqn 13 August 1940, SOC 22 August 1940 V7228, 87 Sqn 13 August 1940, 213 Sqn same day, SOC August 1940 V7229, 601 Sqn 9 July 1940, no loss date given V7230, 501 Sqn 3 August 1940, SOC 4 January 1941 V7231, 87 Sqn 29 July 1940, SOC 13 August 1940 V7232, 46 Sqn 29 July 1940, SOC 11 Oct 1940 V7233, 87 Sqn 29 July 1940, SOC 13 August 1940 V7234, 501 Sqn 3 August 1940, converted to Mark II DG617 V7235, 267 Sqn 9 August 1940, 303 Sqn 10 August 1940, SOC 31 May 1941 V7276, transferred from 5 to 47 MU 3 August 1940, South Africa 20 August 1940 V7281, transferred from 5 to 47 MU 7 August 1940, South Africa 20 August 1940 Early Hurricane contracts summary, when some orders were still being fulfilled, numbers ordered and built Requisition \ Contract \ Maker \ Order \ I \ II \ IIA \ IIB \ IIC \ Sea \ Notes 26/36 \ 527112/36 \ Hawker \ 580 \ 580 \ \ \ \ \ \ Includes 60 for other governments. Completed 8 Nov 1939 215/38 \ 966177/38 \ Hawker \ 20 \ 20 \ \ \ \ \ \ For Canada, originally part of contract 527112/36 195/38 \ B19773/39 \ Gloster \ 100 \ 100 \ \ \ \ \ \ Completed 9 Aug 1940 195/38 \ 962371/38 \ Gloster \ 500 \ 500 \ \ \ \ \ \ Completed 13 Jul 1940 195/38 \ 962371/38 \ Hawker \ 292 \ 292 \ \ \ \ \ \ Brooklands, completed 20 Jul 1940 195/38 \ 962371/38 \ Hawker \ 232 \ 232 \ \ \ \ \ \ Langley, completed 17 Jul 1940 56/38 \ 751458/38 \ Hawker \ 300 \ 300 \ \ \ \ \ \ Includes 12 for other governments. Completed 15 Feb 1940 239/38 \ 964753/38 \ CCF \ 40 \ 40 \ \ \ \ \ \ Completed 2 Aug 1940 5/E1/39 \ B85730/40 \ Gloster \ 1700 \ 1250 \ \ 33 \ 417 \ \ \ Ordered as 500 then an extra 1,200 7/E1/39 \ B62305/39 \ Hawker \ 3738 \ 500 \ \ 429 \ 1138 \ 1671 \ \ Original order for 2,679 a/c? 11/E1/40 \ B62305/39 \ Hawker \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Aircraft counted In previous line, this order for 1,059 a/c? 4/E1/40 \ B158177/40 \ Gloster \ 450 \ \ \ \ 450 \ \ \ In summary card as 720 aircraft but 270 cancelled 8/E1/39 \ SB6648 \ CCF \ 560 \ 386 \ 174 \ \ \ \ \ 1/E1/41 \ SB6648? \ CCF \ 200 \ \ 150 \ \ \ \ 50 \ Some contract card summaries say order was 50 I and 150 II. 5/E1/40 \ B124304/40 \ Austin \ 300 \ \ \ \ 300 \ \ \ All \ All \ Totals \ 9012 \ 4200 \ 324 \ 462 \ 2305 \ 1671 \ 50 \ All \ All \ Hawker \ 5162 \ 1924 \ \ 429 \ 1138 \ 1671 \ \ Delivery logs totals are 1924 I, 418 IIA, 1768 IIB, 1008 IIC, 44 IID All \ All \ Gloster \ 2750 \ 1850 \ \ 33 \ 867 \ \ \ Delivery logs agree with contract card summary All \ All \ Austin \ 300 \ \ \ \ 300 \ \ \ Delivery logs agree with contract card summary All \ All \ CCF \ 800 \ 426 \ 324 \ \ \ \ 50 \ The data without column markers, Requisition Contract Maker Order I II IIA IIB IIC Sea Notes 26/36 527112/36 Hawker 580 580 Includes 60 for other governments. Completed 8 Nov 1939 215/38 966177/38 Hawker 20 20 For Canada, originally part of contract 527112/36 195/38 B19773/39 Gloster 100 100 Completed 9 Aug 1940 195/38 962371/38 Gloster 500 500 Completed 13 Jul 1940 195/38 962371/38 Hawker 292 292 Brooklands, completed 20 Jul 1940 195/38 962371/38 Hawker 232 232 Langley, completed 17 Jul 1940 56/38 751458/38 Hawker 300 300 Includes 12 for other governments. Completed 15 Feb 1940 239/38 964753/38 CCF 40 40 Completed 2 Aug 1940 5/E1/39 B85730/40 Gloster 1700 1250 33 417 Ordered as 500 then an extra 1,200 7/E1/39 B62305/39 Hawker 3738 500 429 1138 1671 Original order for 2,679 a/c? 11/E1/40 B62305/39 Hawker Aircraft counted In previous line, this order for 1,059 a/c? 4/E1/40 B158177/40 Gloster 450 450 In summary card as 720 aircraft but 270 cancelled 8/E1/39 SB6648 CCF 560 386 174 1/E1/41 SB6648? CCF 200 150 50 Some contract card summaries say order was 50 I and 150 II. 5/E1/40 B124304/40 Austin 300 300 All All Totals 9012 4200 324 462 2305 1671 50 All All Hawker 5162 1924 429 1138 1671 Delivery logs totals are 1924 I, 418 IIA, 1768 IIB, 1008 IIC, 44 IID All All Gloster 2750 1850 33 867 Delivery logs agree with contract card summary All All Austin 300 300 Delivery logs agree with contract card summary All All CCF 800 426 324 50 Geoffrey Sinclair

Nachtjagd War Diaries by Theo Boiten gives full RAF aircraft details, but usually only the Luftwaffe pilot and unit, matching Bomber Command Losses to Luftwaffe kill claims. I do not know of any encounters between RAF bombers and Sturmstaffel aircraft. Forgot to originally add Jagdgeschwader 300 by Jean-Yves Lorant and Richard Goyat, two volumes, the first of which covers to September 1944. Geoffrey Sinclair

Yes, P3886 was built with fabric wings. In theory N2426 was the last mark I rolled out of Hawker Brooklands with fabric wings, taken on charge 26 October 1939. Then came the emergency of mid 1940. So from early June 1940 and into July a number of Brooklands built Hurricanes are marked as having Fabric Wings in the RAF contract cards, namely P3714 to P3717, P3737 to P3739, P3755, P3757 to P3761, P3767, P3768, P3770 to P3774, P3854, P3858 to P3869, P3872 to P3875, P3882 to P3890, P3897, P8816 to P8818, R2680, R2681, V7200 to V7209, V7222, V7224 to V7235, V7276, V7281. P3886 arrived at 10 MU 24 June 1940, 601 Squadron 12 July 1940, 50 (MU?) 43 Group 9 December 1940, (unreadable) SAS 11 December 1940, 25 MU 23 December 1940, 1 Squadron 2 February 1941, 59 OTU 14 March 1941, Arrived India 19 April? 1944, SOC 25 September 1944. Battle of Britain Then and Now has P3886 damaged on 26 July 1940 with 601 squadron, due to engine trouble. Geoffrey Sinclair

Thanks Ewen for the photographs, showing the Spitfire from Furious clearly survived the Indomitable experience. Then comes where it was unloaded. Assuming in Gibraltar it requires a serial that appears there without any details of the ship it was carried in. EN981 is marked as Malta 11 September 1942 in the Delivery Logs and lost 31 January 1943, while EN976, 978, 979 and 980 are marked Malta 12 June 1942, and their histories say they were shipped on Empire Shackleton and Guido. EN981 aircraft history says 38MU 23-5-42 82MU 7-7-42 Gibraltar 29-9-42 Destroyed in air raid SOC 31-1-43. The Spitfire shipment to Gibraltar marked as to/in A6017/SS612 is reported to have arrived 27 September and totals 19 aircraft, meaning EN981 is needed to match the reported September exports to the Mediterranean area. There is no mention of EN981 in the lists of Spitfires that served with the Malta based squadrons. As listed Furious loaded EP serial Spitfires in Britain, usually noted in the Delivery Logs dated early August 1942 So maybe EN981 was on Furious and then Indomitable but more likely on a merchant ship. No other obvious candidates either listed as to Gibraltar or to Malta.

The amended story. Operation Spotter/Quarter (the second being the RAF name) 16 Spitfires were loaded on the Cape Hawke which departed Britain 10 February, arriving Gibraltar 23 February. February 1942 exports of Spitfires to Mediterranean official total 16. HMS Eagle first fly off attempt sailed 27 February returning the next day due to defects in the Spitfire long range fuel tanks. One Spitfire may have been cannibalised for spares. Operation Spotter, HMS Eagle sailed on 6 March and the fly off was on the 7th. 15 Spitfires, all arrived. HMS Eagle returned to Gibraltar on the 8th. Spitfire serials, "Spotter", AB262, AB264, AB329 to AB338, AB341, AB343, AB344, AB346 (AB333 unserviceable, to operation Picket), total 15 Operation Picket/Scantling, 16 Spitfires were loaded on the Queen Victoria which departed Britain 4 March, arriving Gibraltar 14 March. March 1942 exports of Spitfires to Mediterranean official total 16. Operation Picket, which became Picket I when some of the navigation aircraft did not appear, HMS Eagle sailed on 20 March, probably with 16 Spitfires on board, and the fly off was on the 21st, 9 Spitfires, all arrived, the fleet returning to Gibraltar on the 23rd. Operation Picket II, HMS Eagle sailed on 27 March, 7 or 8 Spitfires on board, 7 were flown off on the 29th. This left 1 Spitfire in Gibraltar, being AB500, the only one of the Queen Victoria shipment that lasted past 9 May, the date of Operation Bowery, the next delivery of Spitfires to Malta from Gibraltar. Spitfire Serials, "Picket I", AB333, AB340, AB342, AB454, BP844, BP845, BP846, BP849, BP850, "Picket II" AB263, AB347, AB348, AB418, AB419, AB420, AB451. Picket I aircraft are those reported as being part of the operation and/or, or on Malta before Picket II on March 29. The Spitfires on USS Wasp during operations Calendar and Bowery. Operation Calendar, USS Wasp arrived at Glasgow on 10 April, loaded 52 Spitfires on 13 April and departed the UK on 14 April, flying 47 of them off on 20 April, returning 5 to Britain, arriving back at Scapa Flow on 26 April. Operation Bowery, USS Wasp arrived at Glasgow on 29 April, loaded 47 Spitfires and departed the UK on 3 May, flying them off on 9 May, recovering one, BR126, that had a problem and later flying it off to Gibraltar. In addition to the USS Wasp shipments 28 Spitfires loaded on Empire Heath and 4 on Guido sailed as part of convoy OG.82 on 8 April, arriving Gibraltar on 20 April. The April 1942 exports of Spitfires to Mediterranean official total is 79 (47+32). Another 32 Spitfires were on Empire Conrad which departed Milford Haven on 20 May, arriving Gibraltar on 27 May and 32 more on Hopetarn (ship name is given as Hopetown or Hope Farm in some of the aircraft histories), departing Liverpool 26 May, arriving Gibraltar 2 June. The May 1942 exports of Spitfires to the Mediterranean official total is 111 (47+32+32). HMS Eagle loaded 17 of the Spitfires at Gibraltar and joined Wasp on 8 May, all 17 arrived in Malta. Since this is an attempt to reconstruct the Operations Calendar and Wasp lists there is no guarantee it is complete, it requires correct interpretation of accurate documents, any contributions are welcome. There is a certain amount here of working backwards from the known solution. To find the candidates for Spitfires loaded onto USS Wasp all Malta Spitfires whose history does not mention a ship and a) reports being at RAF Abbotsinch or Renfrew before 30 April, or b) are on Malta by end June 1942, or c) have a delivery log entry of Malta in April or May 1942, or d) have loss dates before August 1942 or e) are mentioned in Malta: The Spitfire Year before August. Plus the following 3 Spitfires, BR122, FF 19-3-42 39MU 24-3-42 82MU 26-3-42 Takoradi 8-4-42 126S 'O' Abandoned over sea N of Malta 9-8-42 SOC 10-8-42 is included. Despite the reference to Takoradi, which is also in the Delivery Logs, it is first mentioned in Malta: The Spitfire Year on 15 June. Reported to have served with 126 and 601 Squadrons, so it is included here. BP978, has a problematic history in the online records, FF 1-4-42 39MU 2-4-42 47MU 17-4-42 Malta 7-5-42 SOC 16-5-42 Middle East 145S FAC2 17-12-42 Malta 1-8-43 Hit trees attacking MT Fier Albania 18-11-43. It is possible the details of BP977 at Malta have been added to BP978, which was then simply sent to the Middle East. BP978 is not in Spitfires Over Malta or Malta: The Spitfire Year, it is in Brian Cull’s book on 249 Squadron as T-O/GN-O, but this could be post 1942 service. It is included here. BP866, FF 27-2-42 AAEE 28-2-42 comparison trop trials AB320 with 90gal overload tank 29MU 15-3-42 Malta 1-5-43 185S Malta FAC2 18-3-44 SOC 28-4-45. It is first mentioned in Malta: The Spitfire Year on 17 October, which would indicate the 1-5-43 entry in the history is actually 1-5-42, it is reported to have served with 126, 185, 229 and 1435 squadrons and so is included here. Operation Calendar/Newman. Spitfires that were at Abbotsinch on or before 12 April or have loss dates before 9 May are considered to be Calendar aircraft BP874, BP954, BP955, BP956**, BP958 (Flew to North Africa), BP961**, BP962, BP963, BP964, BP965**, BP966*, BP967**, BP968, BP969, BP970, BP973, BP974, BP975, BP976, BP977**, BP979*, BR112*, BR116, BR117*, BR120, BR121**, BR123**, BR124, BR125, BR126, BR129, BR176, BR180, BR182**, BR183, BR184, BR187, BR188, BR190, BR192, BR194**, BR195*, BR196*, BR199, BR203*, BR204, BR226, BR227*, BR242* and BR246*, total 50. * Not mentioned before Operation Bowery, ** not mentioned in Malta the Spitfire Year, while BP956, BP967, BR123 and BR182 do not appear in the lists of Spitfires operated by the Malta based squadrons. The two additional Spitfires are BR127, mentioned in Malta the Spitfire Year as being on Wasp for Operation Calendar while BR185 is reported at Malta on 28 April, making a total of 52. The following 3 Spitfires are Calendar aircraft that returned, based on their histories of a trip to Abbotsinch that ended up in a UK Maintenance Unit after Wasp returned BP977 FF 1-4-42 39MU 2-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 39MU 25-4-42 Malta 8-6-42 601S FACB 26-6-42 Middle East 1-7-42 NWAfricanAF 1-11-43. This assumes the 39 MU date is out by a day or the Spitfire flown off Wasp before it docked, and it was then used on Operation Bowery. BR195 FF 26-3-42 8MU 27-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 6-4-42 ff Malta Scottish Aviation 2-5-42 82MU 1-10-42 Heribonaka 30-10-42 Takoradi 1-12-42 Middle East 31-12-42 NAfrica 30-11-43 MedAAF 30-6-45 to RHAF 27-9-45 BR246 FF 2-4-42 8MU 3-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 12-4-42 47MU 3-5-42 Empire Conrad 10-6-42 Malta 249S Engine cut on convoy patrol ditched off Malta 13-8-42 SOC 14-8-42 FH35.15 The other two returned Spitfires were BP965 which was lost on Operation Bowery and BR126 which landed back on USS Wasp on Operation Bowery. Operation Bowery/Oppidan (http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/020718g.pdf). The Spitfires on USS Wasp for Operation Bowery were BP866, BP965 (Lost on flight to Malta), BP971 (Lost on flight to Malta), BP972*, BP977*, BP978*, BP980, BP989, BP990, BP991, BP992, BP993, BR122, BR126 (Landed back on Wasp), BR128, BR130, BR131, BR133*, BR136, BR137, BR161*, BR229, BR244, BR248, BR251, BR282, BR283, BR285, BR290*, BR291, BR292, BR293, BR294, BR300*, BR301, BR303, BR306, BR344, BR345, BR346, BR347, BR348, BR349, BR350, BR352, BR353 and BR354*. *Not mentioned in Malta The Spitfire Year. One Spitfire crashed on take off but no information on the serial number except BR133 is also not mentioned in the lists of Spitfires that served with the Malta squadrons. So two lots of negative evidence. It is the only Spitfire not in one or both of the Spitfire Year and Malta squadrons serials list. Bowery, the Spitfires flown off HMS Eagle. These 17 come from the 32 Spitfires delivered on 20 April 1942 by Guido and Empire Heath to Gibraltar plus AB500 from the Queen Victoria. Six can be definitely confirmed by mentions in Malta the Spitfire Year, and/or their loss date. Almost all the delivery log entries have the date 4 April 1942, 18 of which say Takoradi, but both ships sailed to Gibraltar, loaded cargo from Spanish and/or Portuguese ports then returned to Britain in convoy. Given four of the six confirmed serials have Takoradi in their delivery log entries simply having Malta is not strong enough evidence. The list from Brian Cull, Spitfires over Malta has 15 entries, while missing 2 of the confirmed serials in Spitfire Year. So the working conclusion is the Cull list plus the 2 from Spitfire Year are most likely to be the correct serials. BP870, BP871*, BP872*, BP875, BP877*, BP878, BP950, BP951, BP952*, BP953, BP960, BR106, BR107*, BR108*, BR110, BR111 and BR169. (* in Spitfire Year on or before 17 May, while BR107 and BR169 are not in Cull.) Operation LB/Hansford, 17 Spitfires were loaded onto HMS Eagle at Gibraltar, the fleet sailing on 17 May with all 17 flown off on 19 May and all arriving. This meant all Spitfires shipped to Gibraltar to 17 May, plus the one that landed back on Wasp and transferred to Gibraltar, had been sent to Malta. Spitfire Serials, "LB", AB469, AB500, BP873, BP876, BP957, BR109, BR115, BR119, BR126, BR163, BR165, BR166, BR170, BR173, BR175, BR177 and BR179. Operation Style/? HMS Eagle loaded 31 Spitfires from Empire Conrad at Gibraltar and sailed on 2 June (the day Hopetarn arrived), all 31 flown off on the 3rd, 27 arrived at Malta. BR232, which was on Empire Conrad, was sent to the Middle East, being lost while with 601 Sqn on 6 July 1942, near El Daba, Egypt. Spitfire Serials, "Style", BR198, BR230, BR231, BR246, BR254, BR295, BR305, BR308*, BR311, BR312, BR313*, BR315, BR316, BR317, BR320, BR321, BR322*, BR355*, BR356, BR357, BR358, BR359, BR360, BR362, BR363, BR364, BR377, BR380, BR381, BR383 and BR384, *Shot down on flight to Malta Operation Salient/Maintop HMS Eagle loaded the 32 Spitfires from Hopetarn at Gibraltar and sailed on 8 June, all 32 flown off on the 9th, all arrived at Malta. Spitfire Serials, "Salient", AB464, AB465, BP860, BP861, BP867, BP868, BP869, BR233, BR323, BR324, BR325, BR327, BR328, BR365, BR366, BR367, BR368, BR379, BR382, BR385, BR387, BR388, BR459, BR460, BR461, BR463, BR464, BR465, BR562, BR564, BR565 and BR566 Convoy OG.85, departed Liverpool 13 June, arrived Gibraltar 25 June, included Empire Shackleton with 18 Spitfires, Guido with 12 Spitfires, Lublin with 2 Spitfires, total 32. Convoy OG.86 departed Liverpool 2 July, arrived Gibraltar 14 July, included Empire Darwin 22 Spitfire, Empire Kestrel 4 Spitfire, Empire Tern 6 Spitfires, total 32. The aircraft histories say 2 Spitfires on Empire Gem, but it was sunk in January off North America, they are assumed to be on Empire Tern. All up 64 Spitfires, but official exports for the month to the Mediterranean were 60, Empire Kestrel being officially loaded in July. A Special Erection Party was established at Gibraltar in July 1942 to assemble and test fly aircraft crated from Britain by sea for the reinforcement of Malta Operation Pinpoint/Colima HMS Eagle loaded the 32 Spitfires from OG.85 and sailed on 14 July, the day OG.86 arrived, flying off all 32 on 17 July, 31 arrived in Malta, the fleet returned to Gibraltar on the 16th. Spitfire Serials, "Pinpoint", AB520, AB531, AB532, AR464, AR489, BR373, BR374, BR375, BR376, EN829, EN954, EN955, EN968, EN972, EN973, EN976, EN978, EN979, EN980, EP117 (crashed on take off), EP122, EP131, EP132, EP135, EP136, EP137, EP138, EP139, EP140, EP190, EP196 and EP200. Malta The Spitfire Year reports EP200 present on Malta on 13 and 14 July as GL-T. Operation Insect/Knapsack HMS Eagle loaded 31 Spitfires from OG.86 and sailed on 20 July, flying off all 31 on 21 July, 30 arrived in Malta. EP195, shipped on Empire Kestrel, was reported to be still at Gibraltar on 31 December 1942, there is a report some Spitfires in OG.86 suffered damage in transit. Spitfire Serials, "Insect", AB377, AB526, AB536, BR378 (lost on take off, in Spitfire Year as EP378), EP187, EP189, EP194 (did not take off), EP197, EP201, EP203, EP205, EP207, EP209, EP255, EP257, EP259, EP260, EP290, EP297, EP305, EP306, EP313, EP316, EP330, EP331, EP336, EP338, EP339, EP341, EP343 and EP344. The Empire Clive with 32 Spitfires on board departed Milford Haven on 19 July and arrived Gibraltar on 3 August, official exports for the month to the Mediterranean were 36, the Empire Clive and Empire Kestrel. Operation Bellows/Grinnell, part of the Operation Pedestal Malta convoy. HMS Furious loaded 40 Spitfires in the UK, sailing on 4 August, one Spitfire, EP703, was flown off as a test leaving 39 on board. Official Spitfire exports to the Mediterranean for August were 39. HMS Furious joined convoy WS.21S on 7 August, 38 Spitfires were flown off on 11 August, 1 landed on HMS Indomitable (flight deck 15 feet longer than Wasp, ship 1 knot faster) reportedly slightly damaged (into barrier?), subsequent fate unclear (pushed over the side?), 37 arrived at Malta, Furious arrived at Gibraltar on 12 August, presumably unloading the unserviceable Spitfire there, later fate unclear ,the candidate for this is EP697 which does not appear to have served at Malta, Struck off Charge on 4 November, so before Operation Torch. HMS Indomitable was damaged by 2 hits and 3 near misses by 500 kg bombs on the 12th, whether the Spitfire survived is unclear and, if it did, where it was unloaded is also unclear, the reported pilot, Sgt. A.B. Stead flew a Spitfire to Malta as part of Operation Baritone. The selection of Spitfire serials for Operation Bellows uses RAF Delivery Log entries for Malta on 4 August 1942, and no mention of a ship name in the aircraft histories, which gives 35 serials, plus one where the date is 2 August and two where the loss date is 17 August, for a total of 38 out of the 40 loaded in Britain. Spitfire Serials, "Bellows", EP310, EP410, EP448, EP457*, EP459, EP467, EP471, EP472, EP517, EP519, EP521, EP541, EP546*, EP550, EP553, EP554, EP663, EP669, EP685, EP691, EP695, EP696, EP697, EP698, EP700, EP701, EP703 (flown off as test), EP706, EP708, EP709, EP711, EP712, EP714, EP716, EP717, EP718, EP722, EP727 plus 2 more currently unknown. *Reported in the RAF Delivery Logs as lost on 17 August 1942. Also EP561 and EP786 were at Abbotsinch on 31 July, to 82 MU 4 September and 82 MU 19 September respectively, and so could replace EP703 as the test aircraft. EP703 history: 38MU 27-7-42 RAF Abbotsinch 3-8-42 SEU FACB 19-9-42 Scottish Aviation 215MU 31-7-43 SS732 5-8-43 Casablanca 18-8-43 Middle East 31-1-45 SOC 16-1-46. Marked as Malta 4 August 1942 in RAF Delivery Logs. EP561 is Gibraltar 16 October 1942, EP786 in Middle East Takoradi 1 October 1942 in the Delivery Logs. Operation Baritone/Headlong HMS Furious loaded 31 Spitfires from Empire Clive and EP194 from Empire Darwin, Operation Insect, sailing on 16 August, flying the aircraft off on 17 August, 1 was lost on take off, 2 had to be abandoned and 1 did not take off due to an injured pilot, 28 arrived at Malta, the fleet returning to Gibraltar on the 18th. This means one of the Empire Clive shipment was left at Gibraltar and one was returned from Operation Baritone, these two being EP412 and EP551, neither of which have records of service with units at Malta. EP412 went into service with Gibraltar based 520 Squadron, EP551 is reported lost on operations 15 January 1943. Spitfire Serials, "Baritone", AR466, AR470, AR471, AR488, AR497, BR236, BR482, BR486, BR488, BR496, BR498, BR529, BR534, BR591, BS160, BS161, BS168, EP152 (Abandoned), EP186, EP188, EP194 (Lost on take off), EP199, EP329, EP332, EP340, EP345, EP412*, EP551*, EP573, EP606 (Abandoned), EP612, EP619 and EP621. * one of these did not sail on Furious and was returned to Gibraltar after its intended pilot was injured in the crash of EP194. Official Exports of Spitfires to the Mediterranean were 91 in September (28 on the Empire Cabot, 27 on the Empire Franklin, 16 on the Empire Heath, 19 to destination A6107 and 1 on SS612 (both A6107 and SS621 arriving Gibraltar 27 September 1942)) and 282 in October 1942. Operation Train: HMS Furious arrived in Gibraltar on 25 October to load 31 of them, sailing on 28 October, flying 29 of the Spitfires off on 29 October, all arrived at Malta. Direct flights between Gibraltar and Malta by Spitfire V fighters had already begun. The https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/ reports non carrier borne Spitfire fighter arrivals as 2 from Gibraltar 25 October, 5 from Gibraltar 6 November, 3 from Gibraltar 8 November, 2 from Gibraltar 13 November, 1 from Gibraltar 14 November, 2 from Gibraltar 20 November plus 1 from Algier-Bone 21 November and 1 from Benina 1 December. So as of the final third of November Middle East Spitfires were able to fly direct to Malta and by early 1943 the arrivals included some mark IX. Malta the Spitfire Year reports the 25 October Spitfires delivered were mark Vc, flown by Flt Lt John Henry Bateman Burgess and Flt Sgt L.G. Pow RCAF, 2 machine guns retained and 15 more were sent with EP724 lost 14 November, so a total of 17. The book A History of the Mediterranean Air War Volume 2 reports probably around 19 November, Squadron Leader Adrian Warburton flew a Spitfire fighter from Gibraltar to Malta, shooting down a Ju88 on the way. The British Aircraft Export Report says 15 Spitfire Fighters did the journey, all arriving, 2 in week ending 30 October, 10 in Week ending 6 November and 3 in week ending 20 November, total 15, not quite agreement with the daily reports from the Maltagc web site. It is possible Spitfire Year is counting the arrivals from North Africa. 15 is the total used here. Spitfire Serials, Operation Train (which seems to have the same name for both the RN and RAF) and the direct flights. Further research will be needed to separate the Spitfires that flew direct from those that came from HMS Furious along with the two that did not take off from Furious and were presumably returned to Gibraltar, plus confirm the ones selected here. Almost all of the November exports of Spitfires to Gibraltar had arrived before HMS Furious and the remainder had arrived before the carrier sailed. The selection criteria used here are as follows, being reported in Malta on 1 November of 1 December, lost on or around Malta to March 1943 and/or reports of service with several of the Malta based squadrons. Essentially the list is a best estimate. Reported as on Malta 1 November, AB535, AR551, AR556, AR559, AR560, AR565, AR595, EP433, EP473, EP520, EP567, EP622, EP652, EP720, EP721, EP728, EP790, EP791, EP818, EP835, EP842 and EP843 total 22. Reported as on Malta 1 December, EP404, EP436, EP444, EP658, EP833, EP834, EP844, EP915 and ER647, total 9. AR496 Malta 18 Dec AR561 Gibraltar 14-9-42 Malta 1435S Abandoned after bomb hung up 1m S of Kalafrana 30-1-43 SOC 1-2-43 FH75.30. EP460 Gibraltar 14-9-42 Malta Ran out of fuel and ditched off Malta 18-1-43 FH49.15, 229 Sqn EP557 Gibraltar 1-11-42 Abandoned on convoy patrol 13-12-42, 249 Sqn EP609 Gibraltar 14-9-42 Lost height on overshoot and crashed Hal Far C3 8-11-42 SOC 9-11-42, 185 Sqn EP641 Gibraltar 14-9-42 Missing from ground attack mission nr Scicli Sicily 15-2-43 SOC 17-2-43 FH77.20, 229 Sqn EP823 Lost off Malta 19 November, 185 Sqn EP828 Probable, given reported service with 126, 249 and 1435 Sqns, but no dates EP832 Crashed off Malta 23 Nov, 229 Sqn EP955 Missing off Malta 17 Oct, the month is clearly wrong, assumed Nov or Dec 42. 229 Sqn EP965 Gibraltar 1-11-42 241S Crashed Hal Far C3 25-3-43, 249, 601 Sqn, 241 Sqn Western Desert had Mark Vc from Feb 43. ER226 Gibraltar 1-11-42 C2 ops 12-11-42 NAfricanASC 31-10-43 Middle East 21-6-45 SOC 29-8-46, 229, 249, 601 Sqn ER641 Gibraltar 9-11-42 India 1-12-42 NWAfrica Missing from sweep over Sicily 28-2-43, 229 Sqn BS511, EN113 mark IX reported sent to Malta 14 Dec 1942. The PR Spitfires that served in the Middle East mostly to all ferried through Malta and some were sent to Malta from the Middle East. The following PR.IV are reported to have served with 69 Sqn, AB300, BP885, BP908, BP911, BP915, BR424, BR431, BR653, BR662, BR663, BS359 and BS367. In the Delivery Logs BS500 has Malta but no dates. And the following have Malta with dates in the period November 1942 to February 1943, BR656, EN153, BS495, AB310, BS359, BR647, BP905 and BS496. The following have Malta and Middle East mentioned in that order with dates of 6 and 7 November 1942, BR424, BS367, BS364, BR426, BR646 and BS358. H. M. SHIPS DAMAGED OR SUNK BY ENEMY ACTION 3rd. SEPT. 1939 to 2nd. SEPT. 1945 Published in 1952 as C.B.4273 (52), security level confidential. INDOMITABLE, 12th August 1942, D.N.C 4B/R123. Two Direct Hits and three Near Misses with 500 kgm delay action fuzed Bombs. Time out of action: 6 months INDOMITABLE was subjected to an attack by enemy aircraft while operating South West of Sicily at 20 knots. Hit No. 1 landed near the forward lift and perforated the upper gallery deck and exploded above the upper hangar deck. A hole 20 ft. by 12 ft. was blown in the upper gallery deck and one 20 ft. by 28 ft. in the upper hangar deck. Severe structural and splinter damage was caused between the flight and lower gallery decks and inboard to the middle line. The forward lift canted up 5 ft. on the starboard side. There was a minor fire in the hangar and the R.U. ammunition to 'A' 1 and 'A' 2 4.5 inch guns ignited. Hit No. 2 landed abaft the after lift, perforated the upper gallery deck, and exploded just above the upper hangar deck. The upper gallery for a width of 20 ft. and the upper hangar for 16 ft. were destroyed and a large hole was blown in the flight deck. The lower gallery deck and the lift structure sustained minor damage. A small fire was started near the torpedo body room but the warheads were undamaged. Near Miss No. 1 grazed the port pom-pom director and exploded 5 ft. from the hull at the upper hangar deck level. The side plating between the lower and upper gallery decks was destroyed. Structural and splinter damage extended for 52 ft. inboard. Near Miss No. 2 exploded 25 ft. underwater to port abreast C.2 O.F. tank. The ship's side was blown in over an area of 40 ft. by 20 ft. and minor internal damage was sustained. The wing compartments in the vicinity of the explosion were flooded causing a heel of 8 degrees to port. This was corrected by counter flooding. Near Miss No. 3 exploded underwater off the port quarter causing minor structural damage and a few splinter holes through the hull above the waterline. Fighting Efficiency - Seriously impaired, The forward lift, 'A' 1 and 'A' 2 4.5 inch mountings and 'B' director were out of action. The after lift was temporarily out of action. Geoffrey Sinclair

Spitfire fighter serials in Malta the Spitfire Year, currently unmatched Help required to confirm correct serials. Date \ Serial \ Possible serial, pilot/sqn reported flying the aircraft on the date 24-Apr-42 \ BR975 \ BP975, "K" Flt Lt Barnham, 249 or 601 sqn 10-Jun-42 \ BR309 \ BR300, 249 Sqn "W", Wt Off Gray, aircraft crashed on landing 5-Jul-42 \ BP887 \ P O Halford, 185 Sqn (BP887 was a PR IV, BP877 reported lost 12 May) 6-Jul-42 \ BR845 \ BP845, F O McLeod (249 sqn?) 7-Jul-42 \ AB562 \ BR562? (1 mention on 7, 2 on 8 July) 7th P O Paul Brennan X-R, 8th P O Hesselyn X-R 7-Jul-42 \ BR378 \ Arrived with or lost on Insect, 21 July. Sdn Ldr Lucas, "V" 8-Jul-42 \ BR223 \ "S" P O McLean 20-Jul-42 \ BR389 \ BR380, 3, 4, 7, 185 Sqn Sgt Parker 21-Jul-42 \ EP378 \ BR378, Sgt L Evans, lost on take off from Eagle 23-Jul-42 \ BR135 \ BR130, 1, 3, 6, 7 (2 mentions on 25 July, 1 on 28), 25th 249 Sqn "Z" Sgt Beurling, 249 Sqn "Z" P.O Round, 28th "Z" P O McElroy 11-Oct-42 \ EN200 \ EP200, 126 Sqn? "Q" Flt Lt Bill Rolls 14-Oct-42 \ EP322 \ EP332, 1435 Sqn "A", Sgt Whitmore (126 Sqn V-A?) 17-Oct-42 \ BP866 \ BP860, 8, 9, P O Seed "Q" Geoffrey Sinclair

Correction to Operation Calendar report, BP965 is the fifth Spitfire to return to the UK on Wasp, since it is confirmed as being lost on Bowery. Operation Bowery, it is assumed the following Spitfires returned to UK in Wasp but then were used for Bowery. Wasp is reported as back at Scapa Flow on 26 April, to the Clyde on 29 April, no mention of where it unloaded non flyable Spitfires on return. BP965 FF 25-3-42 6MU 26-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 8-4-42 ff Malta 29-4-42 CE ops 10-5-42 SOC 17-5-42 BR196 FF 27-3-42 39MU 27-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 ff Malta 8-6-42 ? Shot down in sea off Malta 12-5-42 SOC 15-5-42 BR242 FF 1-4-42 39MU 2-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 ff Malta 8-6-42 126S Shot down in sea off Malta 13-7-42 SOC 17-7-42 Bowery, the 47 Spitfires flown off USS Wasp. The list I have has only 44 candidates, including BP965 and BP971 which were lost en route to Malta This is a new situation and requires additional information to solve. Graham Boak's spreadsheet is a working paper, not the final list that was published in Cauchi, which I do not have. Essentially this is a call for more candidates, Spitfires with reports of being sent from the UK to, or being on, or being lost at Malta to 17 May 1942 but not on operations Quarter or Picket, or Empire Heath or Guido. The list, BP965, BP971, BP972, BP977, BP980, BP989, BP990, BP991, BP992, BP993, BR121, BR126, BR133, BR136, BR137, BR161, BR196, BR229, BR242, BR244, BR248, BR251, BR282, BR283, BR285, BR290, BR291, BR292, BR293, BR294, BR300, BR301, BR303, BR306, BR344, BR345, BR346, BR347, BR348, BR349, BR350, BR352, BR353 and BR354 Bowery, the Spitfires flown off HMS Eagle. These 17 come from the 31 Spitfires delivered on 20 April 1942 by Guido and Empire Heath to Gibraltar. Six can be definitely confirmed by mentions in Malta the Spitfire Year, and/or their loss date. Almost all the delivery log entries have the date 4 April 1942, 18 of which say Takoradi, but both ships sailed to Gibraltar, loaded cargo from Spanish and/or Portuguese ports then returned to Britain in convoy. Given four of the six confirmed serials have Takoradi in their delivery log entries simply having Malta is not strong enough evidence. The list from Brian Cull, Spitfires over Malta as 15 entries, while missing 2 of the confirmed serials in Spitfire Year. So the working conclusion is the Cull list plus the 2 from Spitfire Year are most likely to be the correct serials. BP870, BP871*, BP872*, BP875, BP877*, BP878, BP950, BP951, BP952*, BP953, BP960, BR106, BR107*, BR108*, BR110, BR111 and BR169. (* in Spitfire Year on or before 17 May, BR107 ad BR169 not in Cull.) This conclusion, the "missing" Spitfires from Wasp and the change to BP965 highlight the way the evidence is thinning out and there is a real question whether it is useful to continue the analysis. As any errors in the early shipments inevitably go through to the later ones. Administrivia This is here in case the discussion cannot proceed any further and/or if anyone in the future wants to try again. The RAF had its own code names for at least some of the operations to fly Spitfires to Malta from aircraft carriers, summary of operations, Operation Quarter, HMS Eagle, flying off date 7 March 1942, 15 Spitfires on board, 15 launched, 15 arrived, RAF operation Quarter, 15 arrived. Operation Picket I, HMS Eagle, flying off date 21 March 1942, 16 (17?) Spitfires on board, 9 launched, 9 arrived, RAF operation Scantling, details of arrival not in report. Operation Picket II, HMS Eagle, flying off date 29 March 1942, 7 (8?) Spitfires on board, 7 launched, 7 arrived, RAF operation Scantling, 7 arrived. Operation Calendar, USS Wasp, flying off date 20 April 1942, 52 Spitfires on board, 47 launched, 46 arrived. Operation Bowery, USS Wasp, flying off date 9 May 1942, 47 Spitfires on board, 47 launched, 43 arrived. Operation Bowery, HMS Eagle, flying off date 9 May 1942, 17 Spitfires on board, 17 launched, 17 arrived. Operation LB, HMS Eagle, flying off date 18 May 1942, 17 Spitfires on board, 17 launched, 17 arrived, RAF operation Hansford, 16 arrived. Operation Style, HMS Eagle, flying off date 3 June 1942, 31 Spitfires on board, 31 launched, 27 arrived Operation Salient, HMS Eagle, flying off date 9 June 1942, 32 Spitfires on board, 32 launched, 32 arrived, RAF operation Maintop, 32 arrived. Operation Pinpoint, HMS Eagle, flying off date 15 July 1942, 32 Spitfires on board, 31 launched, 31 arrived, RAF operation Colima, 31 arrived. Operation Insect, HMS Eagle, flying off date 21 July 1942, 32 Spitfires on board, 31 launched, 30 arrived, RAF operation Knapsack, 28 arrived. Operation Bellows, HMS Furious, flying off date 12 August 1942, 39 Spitfires on board, 38 launched, 37 arrived, RAF operation Grinnell, 37 arrived. Operation Baritone, HMS Furious, flying off date 17 August 1942, 32 Spitfires on board, 32? launched, 28 arrived, RAF operation Headlong, 28 arrived. Operation Train, HMS Furious, flying off date 29 October 1942, 32 Spitfires on board, 29 launched, 29 arrived, RAF operation Train, 29 arrived. UK Archives files with relevant titles. ADM 223/338 Operation PINPOINT: aircraft to Malta ADM 223/339 Operation INSECT: aircraft to Malta ADM 223/544 Operation SPOTTER: reinforcement of Malta with Spitfires ADM 223/545 Operation PICKET (Phase 1): aircraft to Malta from HMS Eagle ADM 223/547 Operation PICKET (Phase 2): aircraft to Malta from HMS Argus ADM 223/549 Operation CALENDAR: transfer of Spitfires to Malta from USS Wasp ADM 223/552 Operation BOWERY: aircraft to Malta ADM 223/554 Operation LB: aircraft to Malta ADM 223/556 Operation STYLE: aircraft to Malta from HMS Eagle ADM 223/557 Operation SALIENT: aircraft to Malta from HMS Eagle ADM 223/559 Operation PEDESTAL: aircraft to Malta from HMS Furious ADM 223/560 Operation BELLOWS: aircraft to Malta from HMS Furious ADM 223/563 Operation BARITONE: aircraft to Malta ADM 223/566 Operation TRAIN: transfer of Spitfires to Malta from HMS Furious AIR 2/7698 Air Ministry and Ministry of Defence: Registered Files. Code B sequence (files registered 1936-1953). "Calendar": Spitfires for Malta flown off American carrier. ROYAL AIR FORCE: Malta Command (Code B, 67/18): Operations "Newman" and "Calendar": spitfires for Malta flown off American carrier. AIR 20/5461 Operation "Oppidan": Spitfire reinforcements for Malta AIR 20/5462 Operation "Grinnell": Spitfire reinforcements for Malta AIR 20/5543 Malta: weekly return of operational aircraft 01 July 1940 - 31 May 1942 AIR 22/213 State of aircraft: Malta AIR 22/213 State of aircraft: Malta. 01 February 1942 - 31 January 1944 AIR 23/5684 Super long-range Spitfire: reinforcements AIR 8/980 Aircraft reinforcements to Malta: use of U.S. Aircraft Carrier WASP CAB 79/19/24 1. HEADQUARTERS OF C-IN-C, PORTSMOUTH. 2. OPERATION "SCANTLING". 3. BOUNDARY BETWEEN INDIAN OCEAN AND PACIFIC... PREM 3/266/4 Flying in of Spitfires from USS Wasp and HMS Eagle PREM 3/267/2 Prime Minister's Office: Operational Correspondence and Papers. MALTA. Casualties: aircraft. Weekly summaries. Operation Oppidan may be part of Operation LB or Style and it is implied operation Newman would be Bowery or perhaps just the Eagle's part of it. Geoffrey Sinclair

P3150 RAF Delivery Logs entry, Taken on Charge 22 June 1940, 5 MU 25 June 1940, 85 Squadron 5 July 1940, SOC 8 September 1940. P3150 was, in serial number order, the 421st Gloster built Hurricane, Official total Gloster Hurricane production was 304 to end May, 448 to end June 1940. V7420 was a Hawker Brooklands build, ToC 11 August 1940, 19 MU 17 August 1940, 43 Squadron 24 August 1940, SOC 6 September 1940. Geoffrey Sinclair

The Spitfires on Wasp during operation Calendar. Wasp arrived at Glasgow on 10 April, loaded the Spitfires on 13 April and departed the UK for Calendar on 14 April, flying them off on 20 April and assumed to return to the UK on 26 or 27 April. Since this is an attempt to reconstruct the list there is no guarantee it is right, it requires correct interpretation of accurate documents, any contributions are welcome. The numbers are as follows, 52 Spitfires loaded, 47 flown off, 5 returned to Britain with Wasp. It is assumed there is a good chance extra Spitfires were made available to ensure Wasp sailed fully loaded. To find the candidates from the Malta Spitfires the ones flown to Malta in Operations Spotter and Pickett were removed. Then all Malta Spitfires whose history indicates being at RAF Abbotsinch before 13 April, or are mentioned in Malta: The Spitfire Year before 20 April or have loss or Malta report dates in the histories or Graham Boak's spreadsheet or Delivery Logs before 20 April were included. That comes to 56 Spitfires. One has been removed from the list, BP978, FF 1-4-42 39MU 2-4-42 47MU 17-4-42 Malta 7-5-42 SOC 16-5-42 Middle East 145S FAC2 17-12-42 Malta 1-8-43 Hit trees attacking MT Fier Albania 18-11-43. Note how the 47 MU date is after the departure of Wasp, but the Malta date requires it to be delivered during Operation Calendar. BP978 is not in Spitfires Over Malta or Malta: The Spitfire Year. In the Delivery Logs BP978 has 2 loss dates, 16 May 1942 and 19 Nov 1943. BP977 is a Malta Spitfire but has a blank delivery log entry, take out Malta 7-5-42 SOC 16-5-42 from the BP978 and put it against BP977 and the history of BP978 as a Middle East Spitfire is clear. The following 42 Spitfires are Calendar aircraft based on the date criteria mentioned, BP874, BP954, BP955, BP956, BP958, BP961, BP962, BP963, BP964, BP965, BP966, BP967, BP968, BP969, BP970, BP973, BP974, BP975, BP976, BP979, BR112, BR116, BR120, BR123, BR124, BR125, BR127, BR128, BR129, BR130, BR131, BR176, BR180, BR184, BR185, BR187, BR188, BR190, BR192, BR199, BR204 and BR226. The following 2 Spitfires are Calendar aircraft that returned, based on their histories of a trip to Abbotsinch that ended up in a UK Maintenance Unit after Wasp returned. BR195 FF 26-3-42 8MU 27-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 6-4-42 ff Malta Scottish Aviation 2-5-42 82MU 1-10-42 Heribonaka 30-10-42 Takoradi 1-12-42 Middle East 31-12-42 NAfrica 30-11-43 MedAAF 30-6-45 to RHAF 27-9-45 BR246 FF 2-4-42 8MU 3-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 12-4-42 47MU 3-5-42 Empire Conrad 10-6-42 Malta 249S Engine cut on convoy patrol ditched off Malta 13-8-42 SOC 14-8-42 FH35.15 BP977 went on operation Bowery, the next Wasp operation, it was a spare for the first one. FF 1-4-42 39MU 2-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 39MU 25-4-42 Malta 8-6-42 601S FACB 26-6-42 Middle East 1-7-42 NWAfricanAF 1-11-43. That leaves 10 Spitfires of which 8 were on Operation Calendar, including 3 that returned with Wasp, were repaired and took part in Bowery. The other 2 were sent as part of Bowery. Flown off, BR117 FF 20-3-42 6MU 23-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 8-4-42 ff Malta 185S Shot down in sea off Malta 20-7-42 SOC 21-7-42 FH68.35 BR182 FF 19-3-42 39MU 23-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 8-4-42 ff Malta SOC 29-6-42 BR183 FF 19-3-42 39MU 23-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 8-4-42 ff Malta SOC Shot down in sea off Malta 11-10-42 BR194 FF 26-3-42 8MU 28-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 7-4-42 ff Malta 249S Bomb fell off and exploded on landing Takali 14-5-43 [Middle East 1-7-43]. Morgan and Shacklady history: Abbotsinch 7-4-42, ff Malta 249S crashed Takoradi May 1942, ME 1-7-43 [No indication there were Spitfire fighter bombers on Malta in May 1942] BR203 FF 29-3-42 39MU 1-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 ff Malta 185S CE ops 20-7-42 Shot down by Bf109s off Malta 23-7-42 FH29.30 BR227 FF 27-3-42 39MU 29-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 ff Malta 249S Shot down in sea off Malta 8-7-42 SOC 9-7-42 FH7.45 Returned to UK BR121 FF 20-3-42 6MU 25-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 8-4-42 ff Malta SOC 29-6-42 BR126 FF 25-3-42 8MU 28-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 12-4-42 ff Malta 185S 8-6-42 CB ops 15-6-42 SOC 31-7-42 FH39.30 Bowery BR196 FF 27-3-42 39MU 27-3-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 ff Malta 8-6-42 ? Shot down in sea off Malta 12-5-42 SOC 15-5-42 BR242 FF 1-4-42 39MU 2-4-42 RAF Abbotsinch 11-4-42 ff Malta 8-6-42 126S Shot down in sea off Malta 13-7-42 SOC 17-7-42 Note one of the flown off Spitfires should actually be a return, but no obvious way to decide, though the low flying hours on BR227 would make it a prime choice. The selection of these final 10 is from the Spitfires over Malta columns in Graham Boak's list, which lists the flown off group as operation Calendar, has blank entries for the returns and May 1942 and 5 June 1942 against the Bowery Spitfires. Geoffrey Sinclair