WIX Archives

A couple of mystery Spitfires

Posted by John Sanderson on Thu Mar 21, 2002 08:59:17 AM

All,

Just been scanning through the Spitfire Information Worldwide site at the Q+A section and came across this,

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Question 6
Kursad A. from the U.S.A. wrote:
Can anyone give me information about the story of the Spitfire Mk.IXs, serial numbers MJ147 and ML411 (I believe these must be fictitious, and painted on later); which reportedly belong to M.Aldridge of Kent, England? I heard these aircraft were recovered from a farmer's shed in my country, Turkey. I am very interested in knowing more about the restoration, recovery and photos of the aircraft. Thanks!

Answer 6
Graeme Hoskins from Australia answered:
Both registration numbers did exist. Both aircraft were LF IX models with Merlin 66 engines. ML411 was delivered to 8 Maintainance Unit on 26-4-44, was damaged on ops 24-8-44 and after various squadron postings was sold to Turkey on 14-10-47. MJ147 delivered to 33MU on16-10-43 and after various postings it to was sold to Turkey on18-12-46.No further info known. Details supplied from "Spitfire, The History"

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I have not seen these listed as survivors anywhere, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist of course.

Does anyone know any more ?

John

Spitfire Information Worldwide (Scroll down to Question 6)

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