Author Topic: Malta Spit V's (Read 771 times)

Kev367th · « **on:** October 27, 2004, 08:40:26 AM »

Sqn Ldr John Lynch.
CO 249 Sqn.
Scored Malta's 1000th victory 28 April 1943.

603 Sqn.
One of the infamous "Blue" Malta Spits.
Operation Calendar 1942
As delivered from USS Wasp
Blue color is still a hotly debated topic in respect of which blue was used. Consensus seems to be USN Deck Blue which is what I used.

Dan if you read this, have you got a profile of Spit IIb UZ-N with the "CERAM" (juggler on a unicycle) art from 306 (Polish) Sqn.

Flyboy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2004, 07:24:06 PM »

did any of those "blue" spits flew in combat?

Kev367th · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2004, 07:34:21 PM »

Yes they did.
Morning of 20th April 1942 USS Wasp launched 11 F4F's to provide cover while the Spits started lifting. Out of the 46 Spits all but one made it in, falling to the Me109's that lay in wait as the Spits arrived. Immediately rearmed/refulled and thrown back into the fray.
In fact various sources state Beurling flew a three tone blue Spit in Malta - Azure blue undersides, possibly Dk Meditteranean Blue/ Light Meditterean uppers.
As stated the only bone of contention is the shade of blue used on all of the 'blue' Malta Spits.

USS Wasp returned to Malta 11 May to deliver more Spits, on her way home a telegram from Churchill read -
"Who said a Wasp couldn't sting twice? Many thanks to you all for the timely help."

Rafe35 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2004, 07:37:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Flyboy
did any of those "blue" spits flew in combat?

Yep - Sometime in April 1942.

Pongo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2004, 04:54:31 PM »

Yes.
the highest scoring Spit V pilot flew them for several months and scored 29 kills in them.
Buzz Beurling.
They had the trop filter though.

humble · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2004, 05:03:53 PM »

So the spits needed a cover flight of F4F's:D

Sounds about right, did the F4F's get any kills??

Kev367th · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2004, 10:19:45 PM »

The cover was above USS Wasp only. Must of been a long flight to Malta as the Spits had slipper tanks fitted.
Guess they figured they could afford to lose the F4F's but not the Spits.

1redrum · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2004, 12:02:53 AM »

awsome skin hope u submitted it,,