Thanks to Lyric1 for finding me the info for this skin, an update of a skin originally done by BH3841 in 2006.
This 185 Squadron Spitfire Mk V was one of 64 flown off USS Wasp and HMS Eagle during Operation Bowery in May 1942. During the voyage it had its brown RAF upper colours repainted to help camouflage it against the sea, most likely in USN blue gray. While this helped hide the aircraft in the air it made it more visible when parked on one of Malta's frequently-attacked airfields. This delivery of Spitfires, combined with the Luftwaffe withdrawing their aircraft to Russia gave the RAF air superiority over Malta. Shortly afterwards the Axis stopped bombing the island by day and the RAF began offensive fighter missions over Sicily. In early September this aircraft was being flown by Sgt Claude Weaver when 185 Squadron tangled with 352 Squadriglia's MC 202s over Sicily. Weaver's Spitfire was damaged during the fight and he became a POW after belly landing it on the beach near Scoglittl.
