Calling all Spitfire students!

[desmojen]

Hi Guys!

I just started work on Airfix's magnificent 1/24 Spitfire 1a. It is my intention to finish the model as Al Deeres Kiwi 1 (KLB of 54 Sqn). Now before you all tell me that the Airfix kit has decals for that one, I'll chip in with, but have they?

From reading the book 'Nine Lives' Al himself relates that he had at least three Kiwis and that they were numbered

So far, all I've done to the model is re rivet one upper wing. I've already ascertained, from two photos in the novel, that I do not need to add wheel well strenghtheners on the upper wing surfaces. I do have two other burning questions though.

1. What is the serial number for Kiwi 1?

2. Should it be wearing half and half underside colours? (or a variation thereof)

So here's what I know, gleaned from the novel. Al picked up a brand new Spitfire from the Supermarine factory at Eastleigh on March 8th 1939. The first time he mentions that his own Spitfire was christened Kiwi 1 was during reference to a flight over Dunkirk on May 16th 1940. He was shot down by a Do17 gunner over Dunkirk on May 29th 1940 and crash landed on the beach.

So, I can't confirm from that that the aircraft he picked up became Kiwi 1, but can confirm the dates in question.

The two photos I have in the book seem to show both wings as being light in colour underneath, but, the starboard side underfuselage is without a doubt black

Does anyone have any good ideas, facts or photos that will help please?

TIA,

Jen.

Edited February 22, 2008 by desmojen

[silverkite211]

I will say that, as far as I know the Airfix 1/24 scale kit and every other kit that has offered those markings always seem to do 'Kiwi III'.

[perry]

Jen, I think Edgar's knowledge is needed here!

[Silver Fox]

Hi Guys!

I just started work on Airfix's magnificent 1/24 Spitfire 1a. It is my intention to finish the model as Al Deeres Kiwi 1 (KLB of 54 Sqn). Now before you all tell me that the Airfix kit has decals for that one, I'll chip in with, but have they?

From reading the book 'Nine Lives' Al himself relates that he had at least three Kiwis and that they were numbered

So far, all I've done to the model is re rivet one upper wing. I've already ascertained, from two photos in the novel, that I do not need to add wheel well strenghtheners on the upper wing surfaces. I do have two other burning questions though.

1. What is the serial number for Kiwi 1?

2. Should it be wearing half and half underside colours? (or a variation thereof)

So here's what I know, gleaned from the novel. Al picked up a brand new Spitfire from the Supermarine factory at Eastleigh on March 8th 1939. The first time he mentions that his own Spitfire was christened Kiwi 1 was during reference to a flight over Dunkirk on May 16th 1940. He was shot down by a Do17 gunner over Dunkirk on May 29th 1940 and crash landed on the beach.

So, I can't confirm from that that the aircraft he picked up became Kiwi 1, but can confirm the dates in question.

The two photos I have in the book seem to show both wings as being light in colour underneath, but, the starboard side underfuselage is without a doubt black

Does anyone have any good ideas, facts or photos that will help please?

TIA,

Jen.

IIRC Al Deere used N3183/KL-B to shoot down a Bf109 and an Me110 on the 24th and 25th May respectively. I believe this is the aircraft depicted in the Airfix kit. I have never seen a picture of his aircraft explictly marked as Kiwi I, II or III.

The black and white underside is right for a Dunkirk era Spitfire.

[desmojen]

N3183 is the one I thought it might be. The kit does not depict that one as it is a P registered aircraft. Should it be half black/half white or white with one black wing? I'm thinking half and half.

I have another photo which shows the ailerons being a different colour. Are they likely to be silver, or are they for some reason swapped so they are white on black wing and vice versa?#

Jen.

[Edgar]

You've picked a right one, here. Deere flew several Spitfires, gaining victories in (some of?) them. His first (and this is the one in which he was shot down 28-5-40) was N3180, in which he got five, but he did get the two victories in N3183, as well. The Airfix kit, according to the PSL book, is P9390 (Aircam S.1 has it, wrongly, as P9398,) in which he got 1/2 an unconfirmed Ju88, but there were, also, P9383, R6895, X4019, R6981, & R6832. On July 9th., he crash-landed, after colliding with a 109 (in P9383;) he was shot down 15-8-40 (R6981?) and again 28-8-40 (R6832?) On 31-8-40 his entire section, of three, were destroyed, on take-off, by a bomb, and that was probably R6895. If the ailerons, on a black/white Spitfire, appear a different colour, it's entirely possible that they were left in original silver, to avoid having to re-balance them.

Edgar

[desmojen]

Aah, Edgar! You are a complete star, as ever!

N3180 it is then. Just need to nail down the paint job then, oh, and the canopy. Blown, or not?

Jen.

[Edgar]

As far as I've been able to discover, the fully blown canopy was referred to as the "Spitfire III type," and that wasn't fitted before April, 1941, so a domed top, but flat sides, is likeliest. N3180 first flew 13-11-39, which puts it within the black/white series, but also means that the fuselage roundels would have been red/blue, initially; some Squadrons added the white ring, as ordered, from 19-3-40, others didn't. Having an even-numbered serial, it should have had the "A" scheme (which we're used to seeing,) with no underwing roundels. Being an early airframe, the seat would have been metal, therefore probably, green (though the PSL book advocates black.) The u/c retraction system, by then, should have been fully hydraulic, so the controls (part no. 36?) need bringing up-to-date. Rudder pedals only had a single crossbar. The prop would have been 3-blade, so the lumps of lead, moulded on the front ends of the engine bearers, should come off (only if you're displaying the engine, obviously.)

Edgar