Warbird Information Exchange

Spitfire MK Vb s/n BM6____ WZ+Y 31st FG UK 1942

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Don't touch my junk!!

Excellent image for one of my next modeling project Thank you Jack

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Jack,

BM635.

309th FS, June 1942, at High Ercall.

Just 8 days service total before Cat B accident requiring 'Repair in Works'.

PeterA

How does the paint get so ratty looking after only 8 days of service total?

8 days AAF + 2 ytears RAF ?

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Don't touch my junk!!

Good point. On reflection those trees look more British winter than British summer. Part of the ratty look is the local overpainting of the RAF National Markings.

I am wondering if this image is post the Repair In Works. The next unit allocation is to the 67th (Obs) Grp Membury, 12th Squadron, then 67th (Recce) Grp Membury 109th Squadron. Off inventory Feb 1944.

Looking for a further reference, I see this image appears in Paul Ludwig's Ventura book. Here it is captioned as 'dated 14th March 1943 and operated by 15th TRS, 67th RG, Membury, 31FG by then in North Africa'.

It seems that carrying a previous unit code was of little consequence.

PeterA

Just struck me...what a narrow wheelbase on that gear!

That had to be a handful, no?

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

That model Spitfire just has to be the most beautiful aircraft ever built...

I'm with you bdk! My God what a great pic Jack!! The paint is not ratty looking by the way...she is looking mighty fine with all of her beauty marks

As I sat here staring at that first pic...finally moving on to the second, I feel a lot like the guy in the background with his hands in his pockets: absolutely in awe of the beautiful creature in front of him!!!

Thank you Jack

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Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

Sdenison, the Spitfire gear track may be narrow compared to some planes, but if all is right mechanically and you land it level and straight, a Spitfire wants to roll pretty true after touchdown. The rudder is powerful, especially the later models with the enlarged pointed version, and the fuselage is long enough so the arm is long enough to make any rudder input effective. The tailwheel is not lockable or steerable, just free and follows along. It is far enough back to give a stableizing force.You can steer with the brakes, but it is not usually needed for a normal landing until you slow down to taxi speed. If 23,000 were built this way it must have worked pretty well.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

When ya been hiding Bill?
I sorta figured you got lost sking and were hibernating in your snow cave somewhere

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thanks for the info Bill. Hope to run into you one day. Love to see yours up close and personal.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

My father was a crew chief in the 109th at Membury. He loved that Mk. V. He has lots of stories. The crew chiefs would take and sand paper the rough paint and then wax the aircraft, thus gaining about 5 mph more speed. Another story, they would sit in the cockpit on a windy day moving the ailerons back and forth causing the aircraft to rock back and forth (dance) on the main landing gear. He's still with us at 88 years old.

More info on the 109th. Spits. My fathers Spitfire was coded VX-M and had "Louden Clear" across the top of the fuel tank as the pilots' name was Clarence Louden.

I'm in total agreement!!!!

Cheers,

David