**** DONE: Spitfire Mk. I P9306 ZP H of No 74 Squadron Battle of Britain Group Build

[T Bolt]

Thanks for those profiles Karl, they'll be very helpful and thanks for looking Jan.

Terry I've used the info you provided and done some thinking and I think come up with somewhere to start. The history I got from Karl stated that it had the code ZP on July 6 and that it was coded ZP H on Aug 12 when Pilot Sgt. Kirk claimed the second kill of the Spit. The history also stated it was transferred from No 74 squadron to storage on Sept 12. At this point I intend depict it between Aug 12 ans Sept 12, so that would mean a sky underside. The range of those dates could mean either type of antenna mast so I am going to reserve judgment on that for now as it will be the very last thing I add to the model and can decide later

A few questions I still have:
1) The history says it was marked 'TRINIDAD'. I seem to remember reading somewhere that this was the "name" of No 74 squadron. Where would 'TRINIDAD' be marked on the Spit, and what size and color would it be?
2) What color would the spinner be? Both the spits in Karl's profiles are black but I've seen others from that time period that are Sky and the plane currently has a sky spinner. Would it be Ok to use a Sky colored spinner?
3) I'm going to paint on the codes. I've seen them gray in some sources and what looks like sky in others. Would sky be proper?
4) Would there be any No 74 squadron markings or insignia in it?

[Airframes]

First off, the radio mast would almost certainly be the VHF type by then (the streamlined one).
Trinidad (the country) had 'adopted' the squadron, and often sent gifts, and cash, which went into a Squadron fund. When applied, the name was painted in white letters, sometimes yellow, on the fuel tank cover just forward of the cockpit, I believe in four inch high letters. (Jan has my book, so I can't confirm this, unless he reads through the WW2 section !).
However, due to replacement aircraft, and lack of time, this was not always seen on all aircraft. Certainly the first 'presentation' Spit, paid for by the people of Trinidad, had the inscription though, but i doubt many others did.
The standard colour for spinners at the time of the Bob was 'Night' - slightly semi matt black. The Sky spinners weren't introduced until November 27th, at the same time as the Sky tail band.
Code letters during the BoB were Medium Sea Grey, 24 inch high. Again, the Sky codes were introduced later, in April 1941.
There were no Squadron markings or insignia, such as the Tiger's head (incorporated in the squadron crest), as this would have been a breach of security. No RAF fighters carried such identification, officially.
Hope this helps.

[T Bolt]

Thanks Terry, I could not have asked for any more. That answers all my questions. The only thing else I can think of that I could possibly need is a scan from that book of yours of a pic of a no 74 squadron with the 'TRINIDAD" marking so I can try to match the font when I make the decal. Can you take a look when you get a chance Jan. Please!
I can't believe how much I've already learned about the RAF during the Battle of Britain in the few days I've been searching out this aircraft!

[Airframes]

Can't remember seeing a pic in the book showing the 'Trinidad' inscription Glenn, but no doubt Jan can check. I think I might have one on a later Spit though. But, as mentioned, few, if any of the Spits in the BoB carried the inscription, there just wasn't time to paint it on. This sort of thing started to happen once things had settled down a bit, in mid 1941, and even then, officially it was frowned upon, and only happened if there was a good reason, such as a whole squadron having it's aircraft (supposedly) supplied by presentation, where, for example, an English county or town raised money for the 'Spitfire Fund', which, of course. didn't neccessarily buy a Spit, it might have gone towards a Wellington. But, where possible, an airframe (or more) would be adorned with a suitable inscription, from a 'donor', when it went to the squadron concerned. Although 74 Sqn incorporated the name 'Trinidad' unofficially in their title, and IIRC, in the Squadron crest, their real 'name' was, and remains to this day, 'Tiger Squadron', from the Tiger's head in the crest, which was a legacy from the RFC Squadron in the First World War. Incidentally, they were one of the first two, then three Squadrons who got together, internationally, for what is now the annual 'Tiger Meet', where units from many countries who have a Tiger in their badge etc meet up for an 'exercise' and social event.

[T Bolt]

That history which Karl supplied said it was marked "TRINIDAD" when it came to no 74 squadron and was also marked with the ZP code. I've seen this same history somewhere else on the web but can't remember where, so I think I will include it. I think it makes the subject a little more interesting too. I forgot to ask you earlier, Do you think it would have kill markings displayed? At that time the aircraft had scored two kills, but they were from two different pilots. Some how I think that maybe only the kill of the current pilot would be displayed.

[Airframes]

Hmm. Not sure about the kill markings. Contrary to popular belief, these were not displayed as much as they were by, for example, the Luftwaffe or the USAAF, and tended to be on aircraft used by one pilot, and then mainly a Squadron commander or Flight commander. Although pilots tried to use the same aircraft whenever possible, they weren't neccessarily allocated a specific aircraft. As 'yours' had kills by two different pilots, it's very possible that no kill markings were painted on, and perhaps there wasn't time to do so.
If it had been, say five or six victories by the same pilot, then things might have been different. The choice is yours in this case mate !
Again, if Jan could check the book for the details of this particular airframe, possibly the text as well as the index of aircraft on the Squadron, it might give info on the 'Trinidad' name and any kill markings. I have a feeling this was the first 'presentation' Spit to the Sqn from Trinidad, so did have ther name as previously described, and this was continued with others, I think Trindad II, III etc, until lack pf time stopped the practice.

[Lucky13]

As in the book:

P9306 - Flown by Flt. Lts. Malan and Kelly and Plt Offs. Cobden and St. John. On the Squadron until 1941.

Then follows alot of blah blah yiddi yiadda museum.....

12th of June '41 it became the Trinidad Squadron after The Fighter Fund Committee of the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago raised 100.000 to provide a Squadron of fighters for the RAF.

IN THE HOUR OF PERIL
PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD
EARNED THE GRATITUDE
OF THE BRITIS NATIONS
SUSTAINING THE VALOUR OF
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
AND FORTIFYING THE CAUSE
OF FREEDOM
BY THE GIFT OF
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

[T Bolt]

Thanks Jan, Terry. Sounds like some conflicting information. the history that Karl found had it being marked 'TRINIDAD' on July 6, 1940. It might be better if I just left off the 'TRINIDAD'. Pilots don't seem to match ether so I'll leave off the kill markings too.

[Lucky13]

Nae worries Glenn, anytime mate!

I see that Plt. Off. Cobden and Plt Off. St. John was KIA later during the battle.

[Airframes]

Thanks for the help Jan.
Glenn, I would go off the info Jan has posted. No disrespect to whoever wrote the info you got from Karl, but the book I loaned to Jan is very comprehensive, being written by a former WW2 'Tiger' Sqn memeber, and covers the history, in detail, from WW1 to the entry of the EE Lightning. It's considered to be the history by the Squadron themselves.
Now that I think of it, the pic or two I've seen of the 'Trinidad' inscriptions were on MkII or possibly MkV Spits. It's probable that 'your' Spit was the first paid for by Trinidad, but possibly/probably didn't have the inscription.
I tend to agree with you in omitting the 'Trinidad' name.

[Wurger]

Glenn.

[rochie]

go with the info from Terry's book Glenn, the stuff i found was just from the web and i've found it word for word on a few different websites !

[T Bolt]

I'll go with Jan's info and leave off the kill marks and the Trinidad lettering. Actually makes it easier because I didn't know how I was going to make the Trinidad decal with white lettering.

[Airframes]

Yep, good decision/ I doubt you'd get small enough lettering decals even to do it letter by letter, or the correct typeface. So, unless you have access to an ALPS printer, it would be a delicate job for a 0000 brush !
Just got the same problem for the white 'Tatzelwurm' on the nose of Schnabel's '109. I've made a decal on clear sheet, which gives the thin black outline, and can 'fill in' the rest with acrylic paint, but I have a feeling I might end up hand - painting them !

[T Bolt]

The kit finally came (first 4 pictures) and I started work on it painting the cockpit parts RAF interior green. The last picture is after I then gave it a wash made up of acrylic black and alcohol (the rubbing type not the drinking type Jan!)