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By: 11th July 2014 at 08:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Air-Britain's "Spitfire International" doesn't list any, just VIIIs, XIVs, XVIIIs, XIXs and one P.R.XI.
By: 11th July 2014 at 09:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-According to http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Aircraft/Spitfire.html#Mk Vc/Trop
All the Mk Vs used by the IAF were powered by the Merlin 66 and arrived Bombay from August 1943. Four served with No 4 Squadron while at least one served with No 1 SFTS (India) in 1946 with the code “88” painted on MA 368 (SOC - 25.4.46.). All IAF Vc were serialled MA---. MA 364 a Vc/Trop is known to have had an incident with then Flg Offr H Moolgavkar (later Air Chief Marshal and Chief of the Air staff). This aircraft taken on charge by the RAF on 25 July 1943, arrived Bombay on 27 September 1943 for 136 Squadron RAF. Its date of transfer to 4 Squadron IAF is not known. However, on 15 January 1945 at Murdania (a beach strip), while aborting take off after an engine failure at 30 ft, Moolgavkar landed wheels down and ran into shallow water and overturned. Moolgavkar was rescued just in time before drowning. The aircraft was SOC on the same date.
See also http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/Spitfires.html
The first Supermarine Spitfire with the IAF was a lone Spitfire Mk Vc provided to No.4 Squadron on the eve of the Arakan Campaign. Operated by Indian veterans from the European front, the Spitfire was flown in a pathfinding as well as an interceptor role operating from Cox Bazar.
By: 11th July 2014 at 10:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Mk.V powered by a Merlin 66? :confused:
By: 11th July 2014 at 10:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-The long awaited book on the Indian Air Force Spitfires is imminent I gather.
Mark
By: 11th July 2014 at 10:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Mk.V powered by a Merlin 66? :confused:
Somebody is getting mixed up. MA364 was a Vc and it went to India but it had a Merlin 55M.
http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/p057.html
A Merlin 66 is of course a MK VIII or Mk IX.
By: 11th July 2014 at 11:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-The long awaited book on the Indian Air Force Spitfires is imminent I gather.Do tell please, haven't heard of this one. ThanksMark
By: 11th July 2014 at 17:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-There was a photo of an Indian Air Force Mk.Vc in (I think) Aeroplane Monthly a few years back. It was an ex-607 Sq machine, in OTU use with a large 2-figure number. This may well have been MA368.
By: 11th July 2014 at 18:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-MA286 along with at least two others were used in India on second line duties, indeed flown by 'Cotteswold' who has a very nice air to air photo.
What constitutes a transfer to the Indian Air Force I am not quite sure pre 1947. The markings would be the same.
Mark
The Indian Spitfire book by Polly Singh is scheduled for July. Simon Watson at the Aviation Book Shop will certainly be carrying it.
By: 11th July 2014 at 21:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Thanks Mark12, much appreciated.
By: 23rd September 2014 at 03:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-The book has since been released. Google "Spitfires in the Sun" and you will see a cover. As far as copies being avialable, logistics are still being worked out. But if you are feeling particularly rich, then you can always head to Amazon.. :D
Posts: 85
By: Farmgate - 11th July 2014 at 03:37
I have read that Mk. Vc's served in the IAF from 1943-44. Can anyone refer me to a photo or profile depicting IAF Spitfire Mk. Vc's of any IAF Squadron? I am researching the color schemes and markings. Thank you very much for your reply.