Spitfire experts needed

[Larry]

I'm looking for another Spit IX to skin since now I worked so long on the template and now have skin to do. I was mainly looking for American desert camouflage skins and came across this one on Wings Palette. Only problem is when I went to do more research I found a source saying it was a SpitVIII. Thought it would be best to ask some of walking encyclopedias before starting on it. 


Information that I got from WP:
Spitfire Mk.IX
Unit: 31st FG, 15th AF, USAAF
Serial: MX-VF
Pilot - Maj.Virgil Fields (he KIA on February 7th, 1944 in the aerial combat near Anzio, Italy, when he was CO of 30th FS). Fields used his initials as fuselage code. Camouflage: uppersurfaces - Dark Earth and Middle Stone, undersides - Azure, codes - White.

[Banshee7]

We have that skin on the Spit 8, so IDK 

[Larry]

Can you post a screen shot because I just looked and I don't have it.

[USRanger]

Use Hammer's Skin Site:

http://www.netaces.org/skins/skins.htm

[Larry]

Its not there eather.

[AWwrgwy]

Not exactly the same one, but close enough.

Sorry, not Hi-Res:




You take a look here for ideas?



wrongway

[hammer]

Is is a Page of 31st FG Pictures. All of the Spitfires look like Vs and IXs based on vertical stabilizer. I'm absolutely no expert, though.

Edit:  This picture shows a VIII type vertical stabilizer. No pictures of the particular plane you have, but several options I would think!



Regards,

Hammer

[jocko-]

The Osprey book 'American Spitfire Aces of World War 2' says Fields was killed flying Spitfire IX ER130 near Anzio.  Problem is ER130 was a Mk V, although some Mk Vs were converted to Mk IXs I can't find any evidence that ER130 was.  Keep in mind it's an Osprey book so although they are generally accurate you should take it with a grain...

The broad chord rudder was used on a lot of other Spits including XIIs, IXs, and XVIs, in fact the early Mk VIIIs entered service with the standard chord rudder, the big VIII give away would be the open tail wheel doors catching the light below the H stab.

[Hajo]

Larry the spitfire expert is Guppy.

I hope he sees this post.

[Larry]

Yeah I don't know anything about spittys history. I really want to do a desert camo US one but that's the only one I could find, and I'm not 100% that its even a spit9. Iv found a British one that I'm gonna do if this one turns out to be a spit8.

[Guppy35]

I'd be hesitant to believe that profile.  Generally if they had a 2 letter code to go with the squadron code it would be something like MX (the squadron code) and two identical letters such as MX-VV to indicate it was the second aircraft coded V in the squadron.  VF is a squadron code for the 52nd FG in the MTO so it would make no sense to have a 31 squadron code and a 52nd squadron code on the aircraft.

31 got a mix of IXs and VIIIs if memory serves so it could be either.  The one in Jacko's photo is a VIII.  We have MTO desert IXs  VIIIs and Vs in USAAF markings I believe.  VIII and V for sure.  The MTO IX might be regular RAF camo with MTO ID bands and squadron codes.  I'm sure we can come up with a desert camo IX if that's what you are after however.

[Larry]

Id be grateful if you can find a desert camo but even just an American IX would do.

[Guppy35]

These are USAAF IXs.  Not positive the B&W photo isn't regular RAF day camo but you can see the double ID letters as I mentioned previously



Not sure what the ID letter is on this one, but it would be unique in the desert camo and the yellow bands around the star with no bar.

[Larry]

Any of you have any info to confirm this one is a IX?


'Skipper', a Mk IXC – no serial given – as flown by Captain Harry Barr, of the 309th Fighter Squadron when it was based at Pomigliano, Italy in December 1943. Camouflage scheme is dark earth/middle stone over azure blue with a red spinner and red band theatre markings on the wings.

[Guppy35]

It's part of that same batch shown in the black and white photo I posted.  That would be a nice one to do