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Post by longforgan on Aug 31, 2014 12:29:13 GMT 12
I am doing this painting of the 485 based on a letter from Doug Brown dated Sunday 11 1943 in which 485 flew out to escort stirling bombers back to England. Dougs No2 was John Houlton. Does anyone know the serial numbers that would have been on the aircraft. So far I can only find on for Wine woman and song which was MK732. Not sure if this is right. Painting is 30x24inches oil on canvas.  |
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Post by rayo on Aug 31, 2014 14:13:00 GMT 12
Good luck on that one.
MK732 was built in early 1944 as an LFIXc as was Johhny Houlton's better known ML407. The painting depicts MkIXb's which would be correct for late 1943 when 485 Sqn were Flying that mark taken over from 611 Sqn. They were then handed on when 485 were rested late 1943. This was the practice at the time due to the shortage of MkIX's.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 31, 2014 16:30:10 GMT 12
Spitfire MK732 was 'Pat' Patterson's "Baby Bea" and coded OU-U. It is still around now with the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historic Flight and wore its wartime No. 485 (NZ) Squadron colours and markings back in 1994 when it flew in company with ML407 OU-V over Normandy's beaches for the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 31, 2014 16:31:32 GMT 12
By the way, great painting Don!
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Post by rayo on Aug 31, 2014 17:02:19 GMT 12
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Post by longforgan on Aug 31, 2014 20:49:31 GMT 12
here is an update. I have stuck serial numbers on the planes from the period but not sure if they are right. Will change them if I can find the right ones.  |
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Post by McFly on Sept 1, 2014 13:00:21 GMT 12
Sunday 11th April 1943 was the date of the bomber escort mentioned in the Original Post. According to the 485 (NZ) Sqn 'Operations Record Book' (ORB) entry for that day, Doug Brown was flying Spitfire Mk VB, S/N 'BM200' (Code letter P & Q) and Johnny Houlton Spitfire Mk VB, S/N 'BM353' (Code letter L).
It wasn't until July 1943 that the Squadron started receiving the Mk IX Spitfire.
The Mk VB Spitfire's Doug and Johnny were flying at the time would also have had three bladed props vs. the four blades on the Mk IX.
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Post by rayo on Sept 1, 2014 14:18:36 GMT 12
I knew someone sm(p)arta  would come up with the definative answer - well spotted with the Prop. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 1, 2014 15:08:11 GMT 12
Also three exhaust ports rather than six per side.
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Post by baz62 on Sept 1, 2014 16:57:14 GMT 12
Also slightly shorter nose profile and smaller carb intake under the engine cowling. Hope it won't take much to modify them it's a great looking painting!
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Post by rayo on Sept 1, 2014 17:32:08 GMT 12
Yes bit of a pity. The original Post just says Sunday 11 1943. There was also a Sunday 11 in July 1943. Perhaps Lonforgan might like to confirm this before changing his painting!!
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Post by longforgan on Sept 1, 2014 20:19:27 GMT 12
I have now downloaded the ORB's for Aug & Sept 1943 From this I have picked 27 August as which to base the painting on. This was an escort mission in which Brown and Houlton flew. Browns aircraft had a serial number of EN575 and Houlton was MH350. They flew many missions using these aircraft from going through the ORB's. This was during the time the squadron had the MK IXBs. They escorted bombers (did not mention the type to St Pol and home again. The bombers were attack continuously from St Pol to Mardyk. Houlton shot a FW190 down. Now I suppose I should put drop tanks on the spits due to their range but I might use artist licence and leave them off. I can only say I should read books properly and only fools rush in!!!!
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Post by baz62 on Sept 1, 2014 20:24:17 GMT 12
Just as well you checked! At least you have the right Mark painted. Good save!  |
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Post by McFly on Sept 2, 2014 16:40:27 GMT 12
I have now downloaded the ORB's for Aug & Sept 1943 From this I have picked 27 August as which to base the painting on. This was an escort mission in which Brown and Houlton flew. Browns aircraft had a serial number of EN575 and Houlton was MH350. They flew many missions using these aircraft from going through the ORB's. This was during the time the squadron had the MK IXBs. They escorted bombers (did not mention the type to St Pol and home again. The bombers were attack continuously from St Pol to Mardyk. Houlton shot a FW190 down. Now I suppose I should put drop tanks on the spits due to their range but I might use artist licence and leave them off. I can only say I should read books properly and only fools rush in!!!! A good choice  The 'Escort' (Ramrod 5.8) on the early evening of the 27th Aug 1943 turned into a dramatic engagement with the Luftwaffe in significant numbers! Doug's Spitfire EN575 (Code letter Q) was a Mk IX as was Houlton's MH350 (Code letter V). No drop tanks fitted as they were only up for an hour and a half. The '485 (NZ) Squadron Diary' records the events that day as follows:
"4 Formations of 60 Fortresses were detailed to attack a target near St.Omer Marshalling Yards at 20 minute intervals. The Wing with Northolt escorted the first formation. The bombers crossed the French coast at Berck with 485 Sqn port and 341 Sqn to starboard. As soon as the bombers turned North at St. Pol, a host of FW 190’s and ME 109’s (estimated from 40-80) attacked out of the sun. The e/a (enemy aircraft) carried out their attacks mainly from below and astern, closing in to about 400 yards before breaking away downwards. As soon as they had broken, they climbed again and renewed their attacks. This continued all the way to Mardyck. Both Squadrons were heavily engaged and broke into sections to counter the attacks.
485 first of all went down below the bombers to try to prevent the enemy from penetrating. This was, however, almost impossible owing to the large number of e/a operating and that they closed to such short range. It was found more advantageous to attach the e/a as they broke away. In the course of carrying out these tactics, P/O Houlton chased a FW 190 in a hectic dive right down to ground level and after a lengthy steeplechase around woods and over an aerodrome, the e/a in a sudden turn hit some overhead cables and crashed, exploding and bursting into flames as it hit the ground. Most of the engagements took place between 12000’ and 7000’. One of the Forts was hit by flak which was intense and accurate over the target. The crew was seen to bale out. Another disabled Fortress running on two engines only was escorted by S/L Checketts from Mardych to Manson. 341 Sqn destroyed 2 FW 190’s, probably, destroyed 1 and damaged 2 for the loss of 2 pilots, 1 their CO Commandant Mouchotte.
‘Commandant Rene Mouchotte DFC was a WW2 pilot of the French Air Force, who escaped from Vichy French-controlled Oran to join the Free French forces. Serving with RAF Fighter Command, he rose to command a fighter wing before being shot down and killed on 27 Aug 1943’." |
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Post by longforgan on Sept 2, 2014 23:43:19 GMT 12
This is it finished unless I decided to do something after looking at it over the next couple of days-which usually happens. Thanks for everyones help. McFly you are a god send with that info really great.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2014 11:09:53 GMT 12
Johnny Houlton always had his pink elephant nose art on his OU-V aircraft (his Mk V's, and his Mk IX's all had it I believe, even ML407 which now doesn't wear it). It was his lucky charm and based on a soft toy he had as his lucky mascot. See his book Spitfire Strikes.
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Post by McFly on Sept 3, 2014 13:40:52 GMT 12
Johnny Houlton always had his pink elephant nose art on his OU-V aircraft (his Mk V's, and his Mk IX's all had it I believe, even ML407 which now doesn't wear it). It was his lucky charm and based on a soft toy he had as his lucky mascot. See his book Spitfire Strikes. Indeed he did... Some additional info below from a previous post. |
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Post by longforgan on Sept 3, 2014 20:25:33 GMT 12
here is the final painting which is very close in colour to the original.  |
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Post by longforgan on Sept 3, 2014 23:11:17 GMT 12
The painting has just been sold
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 4, 2014 0:08:47 GMT 12
Brilliant, well done Don! Two legendary pilots depicted in their Spitfires.
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would come up with the definative answer - well spotted with the Prop.
