My Spitfire factory

[Wurger]

I don't think so it flew without one of the cannons. I think the cannon was taken out for techincal maintenance or reparation simply. A few pieces of its mounting seem to be laying on the top of the wing.

[conkerking]

Yeah I see that... also I can see the little plane on the uppermost pic now, it's above the pilots's hat. I think these pics were taken at the same time, as well as the stuff on the wing the background is indentical.

Also I've realised that this isn't a BoB Spit after all, 303 were flying Hurricanes at that time and took on Spits in 41/42. I was reading about the heroic contribution by the Polish squadrons to the air war, fascinating stuff I also came across this, which is tragic and funny at the same time:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...on-poster.html

[antoni]

The Spifire hasn’t moved in the two photographs, just taken from a slightly different position. The wheels are exactly the same and there are some panels on the grass that are laying in the same position. The shadow hasn’t moved so they must have been taken very close together or at the same time of day. The interval was long enough for a picnic to either have arrived or left. Probably a case of you take a photo of me and I’ll take one of you or someone taking photos of his pals.

P8385 was purchased with funds donated by management and staff of the John White (Impregnable Shoes Ltd) boot and shoe manufacturers of Rusden and Higham Ferrers through the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph Fund. They insisted it go to a Polish squadron. TOC 12 MU Kirkbride 27/04/41 and allocated to 303 Squadron at Northolt. On 3rd July the squadron moved to Speke leaving behind its aircraft for 306 Squadron. On 19th August went for repair to Heston Aircraft, returning to 306 Squadron the following day. 15th September joined 65 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey. Exchanged aircraft with 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron 6th October. 18th August (sic) transferred to 133E) Squadron at Eglinton. The squadron moved to mainland, P8385 stayed behind to join 134 Squadron on 31st December. 8th January 1942 taken to Short and Harland and Belfast to be repaired then to 12 MU 31st August to be allocated to the AFDU Duxford 8th November. Starboard wheel collapsed while landing in a cross-wing 28th November. ROS by 18th December. 28th January 1943 Plt. Off Socha ran out of fuel and force landed, incurring injury, aircraft damaged Cat B. Returned to AFDU 12th February, Flg Off C.H.Lattimer hit a van roof while taxiing 31st August. Initially classed Cat E, was changed to Cat B and repaired in works to await collection 4 December. Delivered to 33 MU Lyneham 11th January 1944 allocated 61 OUT Rednal 26th March. Retired to 45 MU Kinloss 11th September. SOC 23rd November 1944.

On the left Zumbach, on the right Ferić.

Pdf the crash.

[conkerking]

This is fantastic! Thank you for the fascinating background on P8385 and 303 Sqn.

(But do you know the name of the dog..?)

[Wurger]

Originally Posted by conkerking

Also I've realised that this isn't a BoB Spit after all, 303 were flying Hurricanes at that time and took on Spits in 41/42. I was reading about the heroic contribution by the Polish squadrons to the air war, fascinating stuff I also came across this, which is tragic and funny at the same time:

That's true...

[diamant]

Hi

Great trio of Spit. They look great. How many Spitfire are you going to build?

Cheers
Santiago

[conkerking]

Originally Posted by diamant

Hi

Great trio of Spit. They look great. How many Spitfire are you going to build?

Cheers
Santiago

Thanks for the compliment. God, I dunno... a billion? I don't think I'll ever run out of options and I think it's impossible to get tired of seeing that silhouette. I have about 15 in the stash and I've just worked out about a further dozen inbound, as well as countless decal options. Seriously, it's getting ridiculous. I'm starting to see Spitfires in my sleep.

[diamant]

Hi

I fully understand you. As part of our whole collection my father many years ago made the Spitfire subcollection. At that time we didn't have the size of information that we have now and therefore he didn't made more.
Now a have at least 10 more Spitfire to include in our sub collection.

Here is an article of our Spitfires. I hope you like it.
2) Modelling for a Lifetime, A Story About the Ultimate Spitfire Collection
Modelling for a Lifetime - A Story About the Ultimate Spitfire Collection


Cheers
Santiago

[conkerking]

Hey Santiago... I've already seen your Spitfire sub-collection - in fact you (and your dad) are one of the reasons I decided to specialise in the Spit! I didn't make the connection. See this thread for the background:

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/sta...ild-20008.html (1/72 Airfix Spitfire PR XIX and Seafire side-by-side build)

Great to hear from you (I might ask for a few tips along the way...)

I'm not limiting myself to RAF so there is a huge amount of variety that I can take advantage of. Yesterday evening I decided to list all the kits I have in my stash/incoming and plan what to do with each. If anyone's interested, this is what I came up with (it might, and probably will, change along the way). There's enough there to keep me busy for at least a year, maybe 18 months.

Manufacturer Type Marque/variant Intended project

wip Italeri Spitfire Mk IX Royal Air Force/Free France Air Force 329 Sqn MK959 5A-K (OOB)
wip MPM Spitfire PR Mk XI Unites States Army Air Force 14 PS, 7PG PA842 (OOB)
1 Kopro Spitfire Mk VIII Royal Australian Air Force A58-46 CR-C (Clive Caldwell) (OOB)
2 Italeri Spitfire Mk Vb Royal Air Force 145 Sqn. EE781 ZX-A
3 Fujimi Spitfire FR Mk 14 E "RAF in Germany" Royal Indian Air Force Advanced Flying School TP339
4 Revell Spitfire Mk Vb Royal Air Force 41 Sqn. EB-W (night fighter)
5 Airfix Spitfire PR Mk XIX Royal Air Force 681 Sqn. PM574
6 Italeri Spitfire Mk IX Israeli Defence Force 101 Sqn. "white 26"
7 Italeri Spitfire Mk IX Egyptian Air Force 664 L
8 Italeri Spitfire Mk IX Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight MK356 Z1-V
9 Jays Seafire Mk 47 TBC (probable OOB)
10 Italeri Spitfire Mk Vb Soviet 57 GIAP EP210 "white 538"
11 Airfix Spitfire PR Mk XIX Swedish Air Force 1st Divn. 31040 (OOB)
12 PM Spitfire Mk Vb Floatplane Royal Air Force prototype W3760 (possible hybrid with other kit)
13 Airfix Spitfire Mk Vc Royal Australian Air Force 79 Sqn. UP-T (OOB)
14 Tamiya Spitfire Mk Vb United States Army Air Force 307 FS ER180 MX-P
15 Fujimi Spitfire F Mk 14 E "Air Race" Royal Air Force 41 Sqn. Kings Cup Air Race (OOB)
16 MPM Spitfire PR Mk XI Luftwaffe captured - T9-EK
17 Airfix Spitfire PR Mk XIX Royal Air Force 81 Sqn. PS852
18 KP Spitfire LF Mk Ixe Czech Air Force AL 628 HL
19 Airfix Spitfire Mk IX United States Army Air Force WZ-JJ
20 Airfix Spitfire Mk Vc Royal South African Air Force 2 Sqn 7 Wing (OOB)
21 Kopro Spitfire F Mk Ixc Italian Air Force MA 617 51o Stormo
22 Kopro Spitfire Mk VIII United States Army Air Force HL-K
23 Airfix Spitfire Mk Vc Royal Navy Seafire 309 FAS MB113 6H-B Operation Torch (conversion)
Fujimi Spitfire F Mk 14 E "Red Lion" TBC
Fujimi Spitfire FR Mk 14 E "Fighter Recon" TBC (probable OOB)
Heller Spitfire Mk XVI TBC
Jays Seafire Mk XV TBC (probable OOB)
Xtrakit Spitfire Mk XII TBC
Kopro Spitfire Mk VII "Spirit of Kent" TBC

I'd like to keep a strong representation from the RAF/FAA (British 'plane, after all) but also contributions from Australia, India, Israel, Egypt, the USSR, Sweden, the US, Czechoslovakia, South Africa, Italy and even Germany!

[A4K]

Bloody hell, Tony, that's a hell of a collection!

If you want to do some conversions to the obscure marks (Prototype K5054, speed Spitfire, etc) let me know - I have spare vacform canopies for them.

[conkerking]

Originally Posted by A4K

Bloody hell, Tony, that's a hell of a collection!

If you want to do some conversions to the obscure marks (Prototype K5054, speed Spitfire, etc) let me know - I have spare vacform canopies for them.

Well for a month's work it's probably a bit over the top... most of them are hiding up in the loft at the moment. I did have a stash of various kits that I flogged off on ebay though.

In and among I would like to do the prototype so I might take you up on that... don't hold your breath though! Would also like to do a Supermarine S.6 along the way as that was kind of where it all began.

[diamant]

Hey Santiago... I've already seen your Spitfire sub-collection - in fact you (and your dad) are one of the reasons I decided to specialise in the Spit! I didn't make the connection. See this thread for the background:

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/sta...ild-20008.html (1/72 Airfix Spitfire PR XIX and Seafire side-by-side build)

Great to hear from you (I might ask for a few tips along the way...)

Hi
It is nice to see that our models inspired others modellers. Many thanks for mentioned our article in your original post.
We are in the process of doing something similar now with the Hawker Hurricane. I have already selected 100 models. This year we also finished our CAC sub colection.

We still have most part of the material used on the Spitfire project so let us know if you need help.

Kind regards
Santiago

[A4K]

Tony, if you're after an S.6, Pavla do an S.6A/S.6B in 1:72 (kit no. PV72060). Comes with float cradles and beaching trolley even, and is advertised on special in the new Squadron catalogue for $ 20. (see 2008 Squadron - Your Online Hobby Shop: Mail Order Military Scale Plastic Models and Books)

[Airframes]

Nice work mate. I had a fair collection of Spits in 1/48th scale at one time, but most went to museums or relatives' kids when I moved house years ago. So, I'm starting over again, in 1/48th and 1/32nd scales - problem is, lack of room!!!

[conkerking]

Originally Posted by Airframes

Nice work mate. I had a fair collection of Spits in 1/48th scale at one time, but most went to museums or relatives' kids when I moved house years ago. So, I'm starting over again, in 1/48th and 1/32nd scales - problem is, lack of room!!!

Look forward to seeing some of them. 48 and 32 - real men's scales!