Couple of interesting Spitfire Mk I pics

[lasermonkey]

Hi, I'm currently building a number of 1/72 Spitfire Mk Is, the goal being to do at least one from each squadron operating during the Battle of Britain. So far it's coming along quite nicely, but in the process of deciding exactly which aircraft od do, I came across these two pictures. First up is R6596/QJ*S from No 92 Sqn. What intrigues me is that the fin flash colours appear to be reversed:

I've seen this on a No 610 Sqn Spit, so it's certainly possible. If anyone knows of any other photos of this aircraft, I'd be deeply indebted if you could share.

Secondly, this No 41 Sqn Spit seems to have light coloured windscreen frames:

This areas *should* be Dark Green, but it looks to be lighter than that, or for Dark Earth for that matter. I'm wondering whether it's a replacement, unpainted or primed example. I seem to remember seeing a photo of another 41 Sqn Spit which had light coloured canopy framing.

If anyone has any thoughts or comments, I'd be glad to hear them.

Cheers,

Mark.

[Don Flynn]

I'd say the same thing your thinking Mark

[jenko]

Cannot help you out with the aircraft, but the top photo I am certain was taken at RAF Manston. I recognize the hangers in the back ground. (These were transfered from RAF Westgate in 1916). However 92 Squadron were based at Manston from 9th.January 1941 to 20th. February 1941. They did visit Manston in late 1940. ( picture of this in the Aircam book) Some of the aircraft were the new 1b (canon wing) certainly R6596 looks like it does have the tell tail bulges on the wing.

Not a lot of help but a bit of back ground.

Dick

[MASH4077]

Could possibly be a Free French pilot showing his nationality?

Tony

[The wooksta V2.0]

Orthochromatic film perhaps?

[Dave Fleming]

The light coloured screen aircraft has possibly been retro-fitted with an armoured windscreen, or possibly a damage replacement one.

You might be right on the fin flash - not unheard of for a mistake in painting

[Dave Gibson]

Orthochromatic film perhaps?

I don't think so. The fuselage roundel rules that out. Mind you, I don't have a good alternative suggestion.

Dave.

[thx6667]

What intrigues me is that the fin flash colours appear to be reversed:

Happened more than a few times!

[Miggers]

That top pic is at Pembrey in August 1940.

R6596(QJ*S)is Alan Wright's.His three B of B Spit 1's were all coded "S".

His impressive score during the B of B were shared between those three airframes,R6596 being one of them.

QJ*P(N3249)is Titch Havercroft's.

He bent it during a night landing at Pembrey on the 31st of August.

N3249 was repaired and went to 602 in December 1940.

Mark

Edited August 15, 2010 by Miggers

[Steven Eisenman]

As for the fin flash, there was a lot of confusion early on. Note that each of the aircraft has a flash of different sizes. IIRC, the picture of DW*O clearly shows the reversed fin flash. There is also a profile of DW*L in On Target #2 Britain Alone.

There is a better picture, just don't have it. Again you can see differing dimensions.

As for the canopy frame, might well be a replacement.

Edited August 16, 2010 by Steven Eisenman

[GrouchoMark2]

Second photo has a mix of flat top and rounded canopies so possibly in middle of changeover? with erks not had time to paint.

Planes have no fin flashes and roundels all over the place. So much for painting and marking to a given standard-and that's a peacetime photo.

Groucho

[JosephLalor]

QJ*P(N3249)is Titch Havercroft's.

He bent it during a night landing at Pembrey on the 31st of August.

N3249 was repaired and went to 602 in December 1940.

Mark

It wouldn't take too much imagination to figure out a nickname for Titch if he was serving today. I didn't know about his mishap, though I was aware that Geoffrey Wellum damaged his Spitfire in a night landing at the same airfield by httting a light, the type of which I can never remember. He was foxed by the nose blotting out his view of the runway on approach.

Joseph

[Edgar]

Second photo has a mix of flat top and rounded canopies so possibly in middle of changeover? with erks not had time to paint.

Planes have no fin flashes and roundels all over the place. So much for painting and marking to a given standard-and that's a peacetime photo.

Those a/c are painted to the proper standard; early aircraft carried no fin flashes. A November 1939 order mentions the roundels, where and when required, but no fin flash. In early 1940, probably due to operational difficulties in France, an order was issued that rudders were to be painted r/w/b, but Fighter Command said it couldn't be done, because of the risk of rudder flutter, due to interference by the weight of the extra paint, and suggesting that the stripes should, instead, be painted on the "vertical surfaces and tailplanes." An alternative suggestion for a yellow stripe was also dismissed, since it would compromise the fighters' camouflage on the ground (maybe this is where the Hurricane's wide red fin l/e came from?)

hitting a light, the type of which I can never remember

Goose neck?

Edgar

[bobgpw]

Joseph,

Chance Light is what you are thinking of. Usually trailer mounted to light the landing area - specifically the touchdown zone.

Goose necks are like glorified watering cans with a wick coming out of the neck. Used until relatively recently (a colleague of mine bemoans night flying and having to place the goose necks). Can't take a joke, shouldn't have joined. :shithappens:

Bob

[brewerjerry]

Happened more than a few times!

Hi

I second that .....

I have a colour 1942 photo of a spit with a reversed fin flash.

cheers

Jerry

[JosephLalor]

Joseph,

Chance Light is what you are thinking of. Usually trailer mounted to light the landing area - specifically the touchdown zone.

Goose necks are like glorified watering cans with a wick coming out of the neck. Used until relatively recently (a colleague of mine bemoans night flying and having to place the goose necks). Can't take a joke, shouldn't have joined. :shithappens:

Bob

Thanks Bob, that's the one.

Joseph

Edited August 28, 2010 by JosephLalor