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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2010 13:04:31 GMT 12
A friend of mine has sent me this scan of No. 485 Squadron Spitfire 'Southland II' crashed on the beach at Dunkirk. The photo was taken by one of the Germans obviously. I thought people here might find it of interest. Note it wears eight swaztika kill markings. The pilot when it crashed on 31st of October 1941 was W.C. Ryder.  |
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Post by kb on Nov 9, 2010 21:10:20 GMT 12
Great photo Dave. It appears to have about 9 interesting kill marks. They are very small so I wonder what they relate to? Is the serial W3579. If it is it would make it a Mk.Vb which the Squadron flew for over two years. I'll have to check that out.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2010 21:46:49 GMT 12
Yes it is a Mk Vb serial W3579, but on blowing up the original i believe there are just 8 kill markings. There's a blemish that looks like a 9th but it's not. It is possily a half kill but i don't think so.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2010 21:48:24 GMT 12
It is of course one of the subscription Spitfires that New Zealanders raised money for buy contributing to the Spitifre Fund. And the codes on this are OU-Q in case anyone thought it was OU-O
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2010 21:50:57 GMT 12
I am wondering what that is between the two Jerry's on the left. Maybe a rolled up tarp to cover it with?
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Post by angelsonefive on Nov 9, 2010 22:18:58 GMT 12
From the Spitfire production list :
W3579. Mk Vb. Built @ High Post. Merlin 45 engine. C/n 1906.
First flew 31/7/41.
To 33 MU 1/8/41.
To 485 Sqn 7/8/41.
To Heston Aircraft Ltd 23/10/41.
31/10/41. Shot down by flak while escorting Hurricanes to Bourbourge Canal near Dunkirk. Pilot W/C Ryder, DFC. POW.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2010 23:08:55 GMT 12
Was Ryder from Britain?
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Post by angelsonefive on Nov 10, 2010 6:45:38 GMT 12
Wing Commander Edgar Norman Ryder DFC. Leading the Kenley Wing ( of which 485 was a squadron at the time ) when downed on 31/10/41. English. Schoolmaster prior to the war. Rose to Group Captain post-war and retired in 1960. He was the last " station master " at Duxford. He was the first pilot to ditch a Spitfire. April, 1940 after shooting down a He.111. I found a lot of interesting stuff, including further pics of the wreck of W3579 here : www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46420 |
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Post by smithy on Nov 11, 2010 3:28:48 GMT 12
Dave,
W3579 was the personal mount of Stanley Norris. The victory markings are from his personal reckoning.
The Jerries took quite a few photos of W3579 and it was even included in the German Forces propaganda magazine "Signal".
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 11, 2010 11:00:27 GMT 12
Where was Stanley Norris from, the UK?
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Post by angelsonefive on Nov 11, 2010 17:49:10 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
Stanley C Norris was a Brit.
Flt-Lt in 610 Sqn, Aux. Air Force in the B. of B. (Spits.)
Downed a 109 over Dunkirk on 29 May, 1940, and two Stukas and two more 109s during the "official" Battle ( 10th July to 31st October.)
Awarded DFC on 24th Nov. 1940 and Bar on 23rd May, 1944.
Credited with 7.5 enemy aircraft destroyed while serving with RAF Sqns, and one e/a destroyed while with 485. Total 8.5.
The apparent ninth victory symbol forward of the cockpit may be a half swastika, reflecting the shared credit.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 11, 2010 18:03:34 GMT 12
Cheers.
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