Does anyone has access to appropriate books/records that can tell me the history of and what became of Spitfire Mk16,RW396 ?? Stephen
Originally posted by STEVEN@Jan 2 2005, 01:41 PM Does anyone has access to appropriate books/records that can tell me the history of and what became of Spitfire Mk16,RW396 ?? Stephen [post=30375]Quoted post[/post] Given the reg and colour sceme it looks as if that photo was taken post war in the far east.
The Spitfire Mark XV1 was the last variant with the Merlin engine.It may have been equipped with a Packard built engine Type 266.The variant described as the Type 361 L.F. XV1 was close to that of the Spitfire Mark 1X It came into service in 1944. 1054 were delivered to the RAF as the last major production Spitfire powered by the Merlin. Its role was a ground attack fighter with the 2nd Tactical Air Force and it would see extensive operation service in Normandy and beyond. Spitfire, serial number RW 366, may have been lost during this period.Any good publication on the Spitfire should indicate the fate of this individual aircraft. At the end of the war in Europe,11 RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force squadrons and 4 Fighter Command Squadrons were equipped with this variant.
"Any good publication on the Spitfire should indicate the fate of this individual aircraft." Harry thanks for the info. It was just such a book i used to have.One of those things that went missing in a house move "in that box that always goes missing".Now i can't answer my own question !! Stephen
Steven Further,it appears that the variant went into operational service in October 1944 and could not have taken part in the battle for Normandy. Between 1944 and 1947,the Central Gunnery School (No 25 Group) was at RAF Catfoss just north of Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire.Whether RW 396 saw operational front line service or was issued direct to the CGS is not known. The publication "Spitfire.The History" is said to have information on 22,500 aircraft but off the cuff, I have always thought that over 18000 Spitfires was the total production figure.Presumabily, this publication should have the fate detailed of them all.
Hi Steven, and All The entry for this aircraft in "Spitfire the History" (Shacklady and Morgan) states the following: RW396 XVIE CBAF (Built Castle Bromwich Aero Factory), Assigned to 29MU (No. 29 Maintenance Unit) 24-7-45 CGS (Central Gunnery School) 2-4-46 eng fail cd f/lndg West Skipsea Ranges 6-1-49 The book says she spent all her operational life with the Central Gunnery School I'm only presuming this, but I would say the last entry meant that she crashed at West Skipsea in Jan '49. Hope this helps Mark
Mark That you very much for that information,just what i was looking for.It was just that book that went missing in that house move !! Stephen
Hi Steven No Probs giving info, glad to be of help. Hope you eventualy find the book, you did well to lose it in the first place, it's the size of a Ford Fiesta. Best Regards Mark
At the time of its loss,Spitfire RW396 would have been operating out of Leconfield which is quite close to Catfoss.The Skipsea gunnery range was due east of Catfoss and Leconfield and just north of Skipsea.95% was offshore and the rest was the shoreline.West Skipsea range suggests the aircraft crashed on the shoreline section. Leconfield became the CGS later the Fighter Weapons School when it converted to Meteor F8s.It retained this role for about 10 years.As the CGS during this period it also had the responsibility for training Lincoln bomber aircrew gunners.
Originally posted by Pte1643@Jan 8 2005, 08:27 AM Hi Steven No Probs giving info, glad to be of help. Hope you eventualy find the book, you did well to lose it in the first place, it's the size of a Ford Fiesta. Best Regards Mark [post=30516]Quoted post[/post] thank you very much. book the size of a fiesta, tell me about it! Stephen
Originally posted by Harry Ree@Jan 8 2005, 10:44 AM At the time of its loss,Spitfire RW396 would have been operating out of Leconfield which is quite close to Catfoss.The Skipsea gunnery range was due east of Catfoss and Leconfield and just north of Skipsea.95% was offshore and the rest was the shoreline.West Skipsea range suggests the aircraft crashed on the shoreline section. Leconfield became the CGS later the Fighter Weapons School when it converted to Meteor F8s.It retained this role for about 10 years.As the CGS during this period it also had the responsibility for training Lincoln bomber aircrew gunners. [post=30529]Quoted post[/post] thank you for that infomation, much appreciated. Stephen
