Strana 54
BS392, S/Ldr. Bernard Dupérier, CO of No. 340 Squadron, RAF Biggin Hill, The United Kingdom, Autumn 1942
EN354, 1st Lt. Leonard V. Helton, 52
nd
FG, 4
th
FS, La Sebala, Tunis, June 1943
Bernard Dupérier, the CO of No. 340 Squadron,
instructed ground personnel to paint the
Donald Duck artwork on several of his aircraft.
Besides this Spitfire, the artwork was applied
to his Douglas DB-7 and Spitfire Mk.Vb, BM324.
As the CO’s aircraft it was marked with
a pennant brushed on the fuselage and with the
Lorraine Cross, which was used by Free French
Squadrons. The Ocean Grey camouflage color
seems to be quite light in B&W photos. Probably
a non-standard mix of paint was used while
Ocean Grey was not temporarily available in
sufficient quantities. Dupérier, an ace credited
with seven victories, took command of No. 340
Squadron on April 10, 1942. That day, previous
CO Phillipe de Scitivaux, was downed and
captured by the enemy. Dupérier flew this
Spitfire rarely in the period from October 25 to
November 7, 1942. Later on, he became the CO of
No. 341 Squadron and after the war was active
in politics as supporter of General de Gaulle.
Spitfire BS392 was used by various units, its fate
being sealed on September 9, 1944. A member of
No. 310 Squadron, Sgt. Vojtech Skreka-Baudoin,
overran the runway during a landing maneuver
and BS392 had to be written off.
The US Army Air Force was one of the Spitfire
MK.1X operators in the Mediterranean Theatre of
Operations. The 52
nd
Fighter Group flew Spitfires
till March/April 1944 when it was rearmed with
P-51 Mustangs. The Group came to northern
Africa as a part of the invading Allied forces
during Operation Torch that was launched
on November 8, 1942. The British camouflage
is topped up with US national insignia.
At least one British roundel was left on the left
wing underside. The former markings were
overpainted with fresh colors that seem to be
darker than the rest of the camouflage. The new
code letters were added. The yellow outline
of the national insignia was applied during
Operation Torch to distinguish US aircraft and
frequently seen in the Mediterranean during the
following months.
OVERTREES
#8292X
Spitfire Mk.IXc
early version
1/48
OVERLEPT
#8282-LEPT1
Spitfire F Mk.IX
1/48
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March 2026