KITS 10/2021

TD138, No. 317 (Polish) Squadron RAF, Ahlhorn Air Base, Germany, spring – summer 1946

TD138, previously operated by Nos. 345, 340 and 127 Squadrons, was assigned to No. 317 (Polish) Squadron in late May 1945. It

was one of two Spitfires that were planned to be flown in a military parade in October 1945 in Warsaw. Soviet representatives

didn´t want UK based Polish pilots to fly the aircraft in post-war Poland, so these Spitfires were flown by British pilots on a

journey from Celle in Germany to Warszaw. Unfortunately, unpleasant weather forced the pilots to land in Poznan. More discord

with the Soviets caused both of the Spitfires to head back to Germany instead of the Polish capital.

The scoreboard below the windscreen is fictitious and was intended to stress the combat deployment of Polish flyers against

Nazi Germany. TD138 also wore the code letters JH M for a time.

TB702, Cpt. P. G. J. Albertin, No. 340 (Free French) Squadron RAF, B105 Airfield (Lingen/Drope),

Germany, May 1945

This aircraft was assigned to No. 340 (Free French) Squadron in late April 1945. The standard British roundels and fin flash were

applied at that time. The French national insignia were not added until mid-May. Later on, in 1951, the aircraft was flown by No.

103 Flying Refresher School. It was written off after a cash in May 1954. TB702 was operated by No. 3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft

Co-Operation Unit at that time.

The Day Fighter scheme camouflage colors are applied, and the Sky band on the rear fuselage was overpainted with fresh (thus

slightly darker) camouflage colors.

SL549, No. 17 Squadron RAF, Farnborough Air Base, 1950

SL549 was overpainted in Aluminium. The national insignia matched regulations issued in May 1947. Close examination of photos

reveals that the roundels and serial number were not painted on the lower surface of the wings.

INFO Eduard - October 2021

eduard

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