MT775, S/Ldr Neville F. Duke, No. 145 Squadron, Loreto, Italy, July–September 1944

Neville Frederik Duke, native of Turnbridge in Kent, joined RAF in June 1940 when he was eighteen years old. After he completed his pilot training in February 1941, he was assigned to No. 92 Squadron where he scored his first two kills. Frequently he flew as a wingman to famous “Sailor“ Malan, commander of the Biggin Hill’s Wing. In October 1941 Duke was dispatched to North Afrika to No. 122 Squadron flying Tomahawks and Kittyhawks where he scored another four kills. He started his second tour of duty again with No. 92 Squadron which was transferred to the African continent and received “tropical“ Spitfires Mk.Vb. In the course of several months Duke score further fourteen victories. In March 1944 he assumed command of No. 145 Squadron equipped with Spitfires Mk.VIII and till the end of September he was credited with another six victories. In the role of No. 145 Squadron commander Duke flew three personal Spitfires Mk.VIII. Their serial numbers were JG241, JG953 and MT775. All those three Spitfires carried  ZX-J codes painted in Deep Sky outlined in white. His last Spitfire s/n MT775 carried No. 145 Squadron insignia on both sides of the engine cowling. Unfortunatelly photograph of the starboard side has not known yet but most likely, same as on his previous Spitfires, the victory markings were painted on the port side under the windshield. Neville Duke finished the conflict with 28 kills and became the most successful MTO pilot. After his return to Europe he continued flying as a chief test pilot for the Hawker company.

1Lt. Leland P. Molland, 308th FS, 31st FG, Castel Volturno, Italy, December 1943–February 1944

Leland Phillips “Tommy“ Molland was born on May 7, 1919 in Chaffie, North Dakota. He completed his pilot training at Moore Field in Texas and on July 5, 1943 was attached to 31st FG. He achieved his first success as a fighter pilot on January 16, 1944, when he managed to shoot down one Bf 109 in cooperation. Another two kills quickly followed. On February 22, 1944 he became an ace having shot down two Bf 109. At the same time he became one of the most successful Spitfire Mk.VIII pilots. When in the end of March 1944 the 31st FG converted to P-51 Mustangs he continued flying combat missions and shot down another six enemy aircraft. After the war Molland remaind in the Air Force service and was promoted to Lt. Colonel. But on May 16, 1951 he tragically lost his life in Korea. Flying T-33 under the marginal weather conditions he struck terrain returning from the meteorological reconnaissance over the enemy territory.

MT507, F/O Len A. Smith, No. 152 Squadron, Sinthe, Burma, March 1945

In 1943 Len Smith served as a sargeant with No. 152 Squadron operating over Tunisia, Sicily and Southern Italy. He scored four kills for which he was awarded DFM. Before his squadron’s transfer to Burmese front in November he was promoted to Flying Officer. In the end of 1944 he was credited with a confirmed kill of Ki-43 and became an ace. His kill was one of only three Japanese aircraft destroyed credited to No. 152 Squadron during the fighting in the Burmese theater. In the spring of 1945 Smith completed his tour of duty with this unit and returned to the Great Britain. Sadly, shortly afterwards he was killed in a flying accident. His Spitfire, which he flew in the beginning of 1945, sported the fuselage nose painted white contrary to the regulations on SEAC aircraft white quick recognition markings. The propeller spinner was decorated with black chevrons painted at the propeller blades‘ bases. The unit insignia, leaping black panther, was painted on the fuselage port side.

A58-602, W/Cdr Robert H. M. Gibbes, No. 80 Wing, Sattler airfield, Australia, December 1944–April 1945

Bobby Gibbes, nicknamed “A Walking Barrel“ by his fellow pilots due to his short body complexion, was one of the most renowned Australian pilots and achieved one unusual sussess by shooting down aircraft of three different Axis nations i.e. German, Italy Vichy France. He scored 12 victories in total. Gibbes‘ Spitfire Mk.VIII A58-602 retained the factory camouflage, the Australian national insignia were complemented by RG-V codes and Grey Nurse inscription. Both were painted in Sky Blue. It was a very light blue color used by RAAF. Its application on the code letters was introduced in January 1943. Originally white tail surfaces were overpainted with Foliage Green on the top and sides, the undersides were painted Sky Blue. Ace of Spades on Gibbes aircraft’s rudder was painted upside down. Kill markings, depicting Gibbes‘ victories scored in MTO flying with No. 3 Squadron RAAF, were painted below the canopy. The quick recognition markings – white wing leading edge – appeared on the Australian Spitfires for the first time in the middle of 1943 and No. 80 Fighter Wing adopted the practice. During its service Gibbes‘ Spitfire carried two different shark mouths. Later version, with wide mouth is portrayed in this profile.