[duxford]

I answered the thread elsewhere, but I am afraid it might get lost.

So please let me repeat my question here:

SPITFIRE INFORMATION NEEDED

>

I have been trying to update my Spitfires--trying to obtain one of each variant for the collection.
I am using the four Osprey Spitfire books I have and the edition of FlyPast Spitfire 70. Here is the problem:
I have the Witty silver Spitfire, I-3W [or, 3W-I] in the marking of the Dutch 322 Sqn. So far so good. Correct squadron, correct number for that squadron.
Yet the Witty information on the stand makes it a Spitfire LF XVI. At the same time, the number under the flashing on the tail is Mk 923. This latter number is a manufacture date for 1942, and for a Mk IX.
In addition, the FlyPast text has no LF XIV going to the Dutch. I have a picture in Squadron/Signal Spitfire in Action #39, page 34 showing Dutch LF IX [NH238] and a trainer [MK715]. These numbers are correct for a Spitfire IX.
So what is correct here? Did Witty unwittingly make an error?
The Spitfire experts can clear this up for me. Thanks.
PS: I now have 20 Spitfires in the collection, including the Hobby Master 1:48 Griffon beauty.

[Rooffie]

Hi duxford,

As far as I know, after the war 322 sqn only used spitfire Mk IX´s.
During the war they used different types

From	To	Aircraft
June 1943	March 1944	Supermarine Spitfire VB, VC
March 1944	August 1944	Supermarine Spitfire XIV
August 1944	November 1944	Supermarine Spitfire IXB
November 1944	October 1945	Supermarine Spitfire XVIE

Since the Witty spit isn´t a wartime version it can only be a Mk IX, so the description on the stand is wrong.

I´ve found a site with the history of MK923.
History of MK923

Hope this is of any helps.