Israel's black Spitfire

[John Dupre]

I know that Israel has kept an all black with a red stripe Spitfire flying for many years. It was the personal aircraft of Ezer Weizman the commander of the IAF during the 6 day war. The black paint scheme harkened back to his command of 101 squadron in the early 1950s where he had a similar paint scheme on one of the Spits. Recently I read the book "What Were They Like To Fly" by Squadran Leader Nobby Clarke. In the book there is a photo of Clarke's P-47 which was also all black with a red stripe that was his personal aircraft at Fayid, Egypt in 1944-45. I know Weizman trained in Africa for the RAF during the war. Is that where he got the inspiration for his Spitfire scheme?

[Marauderman26]

Interesting question John Dupre.
Perhaps these posters can be of help: http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... -Spitfires

[SaxMan]

Perhaps one of Weizman's biographers could answer your question? The paint job certainly was not the original 101 squadron coloring.

I know the Black Spitfire was grounded for a while, but I believe it has been refurbished to fly again.

[DaveM2]

John

Check Issue #85 it should give the answer.

Dave