41 Squadron Spitfire Mk XIV

[Greebo]

Guppy asked me to skin this for the upcoming scenario. It is an adoption of a skin originally done by Fencer in 2008, although his version had late 1944 markings rather than these 1945 markings. There are photos of this aircraft with both types of markings.

This 41 Squadron Spitfire Mk XIV was flown by the Canadian pilot Flt. Lt. Bill Stowe from late 1944 until he left the squadron in mid-April 1945. It is shown with its 1945 RAF scheme, with the last remnants of the D Day stripes, as well as the Sky fuselage band painted over and the spinner painted black. All of this was to try to make the aircraft less visible on the ground. Also it has the 2nd Tactical Air Force's yellow and white ringed upper wing roundels which were an attempt to reduce friendly fire incidents from trigger happy 8th Air Force pilots returning from bomber escort missions.

Bill Stowe served in 41 Squadron from February 1944 and later flew with 130 Squadron until the end of the war in Europe. Here he survived a crash landing behind enemy lines caused by damage from his own bomb blast and evaded capture to return to his squadron. He was credited with 3.5 confirmed kills. Post VE Day he flew with the RCAF's 401, 412 and 430 Squadron's before returning to Canada in September.

[Devil 505]

Very nice.

[lyric1]

 

[Guppy35]

You are a saint as usual Greebo, getting the 41 Spit done.  I'm guessing you must have a copy of Steve Brew's 41 Squadron history to give you the info on Bill Stowe

Thanks much.  In the 1980s when I was chasing 41 Squadron history, I got to meet a lot of the pilots, including Bill Stowe.  I gathered photos from many of them who were kind enough to share.  Bill Stowe is send from the right in this one, showing a group of 41 pilots standing around F/L Terry Spencer, sitting in his car, better known as "The Blue Peril".  He used to load up pilots all over it for runs to the local pub



Not very clear, but Bill Stowe is seen standing in the snow next to a 41 Squadron Spit XIV.  I got this one from him.

[Guppy35]

Finally found my original photo of the said RM797 EB-E, taken at Eindhoven in early 1945.  Can't wait to get in this bird

[Greebo]

That photo is a lot clearer than the version from the book.

[Guppy35]

That photo is a lot clearer than the version from the book.

That's the joy of having an original photo and a really good scanner.  Much more detail shows with the higher DPI.  It was amazing how many photos were sent my way in those pre-email days.  Running to the mail box every day waiting for the next letter from overseas loaded with history bits was good fun:)

[Greebo]

If there are any out of the ordinary aircraft among your photos that you think would make good skins I'd love to see them.