Two from Forty

[Greebo]

Thanks to Lyric1 for finding me info for these skins. The Spitfire Mk XVI is an update of a skin Kev367th did in 2006 whereas the Spitfire Mk IX is a new skin. The Spitfire Mk XVI was actually a Mk IXE in RL with a British rather than American-built engine. The RL Mk IX had clipped wings but also had the smaller tail surfaces and same six gun armament of our Mk IXC.

Both of these Spitfires were part of 40 Squadron of the South African Air Force based in Italy in 1945. This squadron specialised in short range low altitude armed reconnaissance and so many of their aircraft were equipped with oblique side-mounted cameras. To help camouflage their aircraft against the northern Italian terrain 40 Squadron repainted their aircraft in an unusual combination of dark earth and dark green with azure blue below. In common with all SAAF aircraft they repainted the inner circles of the RAF roundels in orange. The Spitfire Mk XVI was flown by the squadron CO Lt Col Bob Rogers, a veteran of the Desert campaign.

[Vraciu]

Nice job, boss.   

[Devil 505]

Well done.

[puller]

 

[lyric1]

I like twofers. 

[Nefarious]

Looking good!