KITS 10/2020
R6690, P/O John C. Dundas, No. 609 Squadron, RAF Middle Wallop / RAF Warmwell, United Kingdom, August 13th, 1940
It is believed that this aircraft, serialled R6690 and coded PR-A, was flown by F/O John Dundas when he shot down a Ju 87B of 5./StG 2
west of Portland on August 13th, 1940. While attacking another Stuka, Dundas was hit by defensive fire from the rear gunner, crippling
the oil system of his engine, forcing him down at Warmwell Aerodrome. The aircraft was written off. Although the AM directive to paint
blue/white/red roundels on the bottom surface of wings was issued already on August 11th, No. 609 Squadron hadn’t put the order into
practice as of the middle of August. The squadron´s aircraft wore the individual letter, in this case A, painted in black on the bottom nose
panel, which was painted in a light color, probably white. It is not certain if the rear-view mirror was installed at this time, but it is unlikely. The aircraft was equipped with a TR.9D radio with the wire antenna stretched between the antenna mast and the fin. The IFF device is
not yet installed, and so no aerial wires are stretched between the fuselage sides and the horizontal tail.
R6835, F/O Brian J. Carbury, No. 603 Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, United Kingdom, late August 1940
Spitfire R6835 XT-W was flown by a New Zealander named Brian J. Carbury, who shot down two Bf 109Es on August 27th, 1940, when
No. 603 Squadron arrived at Hornchurch to replace the battle-weary No. 65 Squadron. He scored 15½ kills during the Battle of Britain.
On August 31st, 1940, he shot down five enemy aircraft over the span of three sorties, becoming one of two RAF ‘Ace of the Day’ pilots
able to claim that status during the BoB. His aircraft carried the standard RAF Temperate Land Scheme consisting of Sky bottom surfaces.
The blue/white/red roundels painted on the bottom surfaces were mandated by the Air Ministry on August 11th, 1940. The aircraft was
equipped with a TR.9D radio with the wire antenna stretching between the antenna mast and fin. The IFF device is not yet installed,
explaining the absence of the associated aerial wires between the fuselage sides and the horizontal tail. No rear-view mirror was carried
yet, nor was the head armor plating in the cockpit.
P9386, S/Ldr Brian J. Lane, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Fowlmere, United Kingdom, September 1940
Spitfire P9386 arrived from No.7 OTU at Fowlmere as a replacement aircraft for the problem plagued, cannon armed Spitfire Mk.Ib on
September 3rd, 1940. The yellow spinner appears to be the remnants of the OTU’s markings. The aircraft is an example of the final Battle
of Britain camouflage and marking practice, with the small diameter version of the bottom surface roundels located near the wing tips.
No stenciling is seen on the bottom surfaces. Note the aerial wire between the antenna mast and the fin. The IFF device is not yet carried.
No hot air gun heating system under the wing tips could be seen, so it is possible that an electrical gun heating system was installed. Although the aircraft is referred to as being ‘somewhat poorly maintained’, it is also mentioned as a favorite of two famous members of No.
19 Squadron, F/Lt Walter Lawson and S/Ldr Brian Lane, who claimed a Stab II./ZG 2 Bf 110 on September 7th, and another two Bf 110s
on September 11th, while Lawson claimed a Bf 110 on September 9th, 1940.
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eduard
INFO Eduard - October 2020