Spitfire in US markings

[Archer]

Just saw a post on LinkedIn showing Spitfire RW382 from the Biggin Hill Heritage hangar in a nice US scheme: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ras-comp ... 87616-pW2Q

[Dan K]

Just saw a post on LinkedIn showing Spitfire RW382 from the Biggin Hill Heritage hangar in a nice US scheme: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ras-comp ... 87616-pW2Q

Thanks for that, Archer!

Markings are perhaps for Bob Connor's "Porky II"?

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/ind ... c=393713.0

[CAPFlyer]

Interesting first reply on that....

Wonder if he knows that there's a currently airworthy P-51 in RAF colors -

https://www.jetphotos.com/registration/G-SHWN

(although I understand it's been repainted?)

[LysanderUK]

Great paintjob, I look forward to seeing it with my own eyes someday soon.

The RAF-painted Mustang G-SHWN (in 112 sqn colours and known as "The Shark" by many due to the shark's teeth nose art) has been repainted recently and now wears red-nose 4thFG colours.

On the subject of American Spitfires, I have a very vague childhood memory of reading something about the USAAF having so many Spits that a P number was reserved for the type but then not used. Can anyone clear this up? Is it true and what would the P number have been if so?

[JohnTerrell]

Crazy perspective, that comment on the Linkedin page. Though Shaun Patrick's P-51D has been repainted now in the markings of Blakeslee's 4th FG mount, there's still Michael Potter's P-51D for that chap to be mad about I suppose (or the Muszala's fantastic RAF Mk.III Mustang project when it's completed). I think it is awesome to see a flying Spitfire painted in USAAF markings again, and something desirably different among the population of flying Spitfires. It looks fantastic as well, and will be an even more unique sight once the nose art is added. I would love to some day see a restored Spitfire flying in the markings of "Fargo Express" again too (TE184 did, years ago).

[ErrolC]

Interesting first reply on that....

Wonder if he knows that there's a currently airworthy P-51 in RAF colors -

And RAAF, and RNZAF. And Australian-built ones in USAAF colors.

[fightersweep]

Certainly a strange comment, but some folk can't seem to handle seeing Spitfires in the markings of other air forces. They blow fuses and write angry letters to the Daily Mail. He'll no doubt be positively apoplectic when he sees Hangar 11s Spitfire PT979 in her Russian scheme. As for the Mustangs, he must have also missed OFMCs P-51 in her 3 Squadron RAAF colours during the 1980s. I'll be glad to see a Spit in USAAF markings, and agree Fargo Express would also be a great choice, and one I'm surprised hasn't been done yet. A Mk Vb in the colours of Robert Levine's ER570 would also be nice.

[Mike]

Mk XVI TE184 carried the Fargo Express scheme for a few years in the ‘90s.

[fightersweep]

Thanks Mike. One I clearly missed. Would have been nice to see.

[DH82EH]

Found this after a brief search. Image by Mike Freer.


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... 234984.jpg

Andy