SPITFIRE Serial numbers

[Sean_M]

Perhaps this topic has been covered before. If so I would appreciate a link.

I have not been near the work bench for about a month. Work, a does of the flu and this dreadful English weather has left me in a bit of a modelling slump. Mu Late IXc sits with cockpit done and that's about it. I keep going from pillar to post in trying to decide a final subject. I bought the Aces of the Empire Decal Sheet so I have enough choices. Perhaps too many

When ever I try and research a subject further, I come unstuck. I know many spitfire were converted i,e. Initial VB's into early MK IX and so on. Can anyone give me a rule of thumb on the serial numbers. I was talking to a chap at a decal stand hoping to find the Decals for EN199 as I was about to do the "Malta Spitfire". He said oh that's definetly a MK V. I know that the Museum is a restored aircraft.

I look forward to your help and replies

Regards

Sean

[Wez]

Perhaps this topic has been covered before. If so I would appreciate a link.

I have not been near the work bench for about a month. Work, a does of the flu and this dreadful English weather has left me in a bit of a modelling slump. Mu Late IXc sits with cockpit done and that's about it. I keep going from pillar to post in trying to decide a final subject. I bought the Aces of the Empire Decal Sheet so I have enough choices. Perhaps too many

When ever I try and research a subject further, I come unstuck. I know many spitfire were converted i,e. Initial VB's into early MK IX and so on. Can anyone give me a rule of thumb on the serial numbers. I was talking to a chap at a decal stand hoping to find the Decals for EN199 as I was about to do the "Malta Spitfire". He said oh that's definetly a MK V. I know that the Museum is a restored aircraft.

I look forward to your help and replies

Regards

Sean

When you say converted it's a bit yes/no. The serial number batch may have been ordered as Mk.V's but the contract was changed and they were delivered as Mk.IX's still retaining the original Mk.V serial block (the serial numbers being associated with the contract, not when the aircraft was delivered), additionally, Mk.IX's were seen as a stop-gap and production didn't fully switch over to Mk.IX's until sometime later. This is why you'll see Mk.V's with later serial numbers than Mk.IX's and they weren't built as Mk.V's and converted to Mk.IX's.

Spitfire the History by Morgan and Shacklady has a lot of detail regarding serial numbers.

Edgar's your man for detail like this.

Wez

[Daniel Cox]

Hi Sean,

The chap you spoke to was mistaken, EN199 was a Merlin 61 powered Eastleigh built Spitfire IX that first flew during 28 November 1942.

Cheers,

Daniel.

P.S. I hope you are feeling better.

[Sean_M]

Hi Sean,

The chap you spoke to was mistaken, EN199 was a Merlin 61 powered Eastleigh built Spitfire IX that first flew during 28 November 1942.

Cheers,

Daniel.

P.S. I hope you are feeling better.

Daniel do you have any pics or More detail on EN199. There are plenty as it now stands as restored aircraft. I have overspent on the variations from eduard (as usual) so I may yet do it as an early MK IX if the current project does not suite

Regards

Sean

[Daniel Cox]

Hi Sean,

No I don't, you will find a little more info though if you visit page 34 of the Spitfire Production Page: http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p034.html

Cheers,

Daniel.

[Mark12]

Daniel do you have any pics or More detail on EN199. There are plenty as it now stands as restored aircraft. I have overspent on the variations from eduard (as usual) so I may yet do it as an early MK IX if the current project does not suite

Regards

Sean

There are ten images of EN199 in Volume I of 'Surviving Spitfires' including in service shots with several units..

At one time I owned the wings of EN199 for fitment to my Mk XII EN224. They were not a matching pair. At least one had been changed during service/accident damage.

PeterA

[Daniel Cox]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for reminding me that I must purchase your books on surviving Spitfires (after we come back from January holidays).

Cheers,

Daniel.

[Mark12]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for reminding me that I must purchase your books on surviving Spitfires (after we come back from January holidays).

Cheers,

Daniel.

Daniel

I would not leave purchasing Volume I too long. Stock is getting low...and we are near Christmas.

Peter