Kristorf's stuff

[kristorf]

Spitfire Mk.IIa, P7666/EB-Z, “Observer Corps” flown by Squadron Leader Donald Finlay of No.41 Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, February 1941




Spitfire Mk.IIa, P7666/KL-Z, “Observer Corps” flown by Sergeant Jack Stokoe of No.41 Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, April 1941.






The aircraft carries the inscription OBSERVER CORPS below the cockpit, indicating was one of the dozens, later hundreds, of funded Spitfires. To encourage national savings, a scheme was devised whereby individuals or organisations could “present” an aircraft by contributing an amount equivalent to the cost. In the case of a Spitfire, £5,000 was the asked amount. The founders, mostly organizations such as in this case, were acknowledged by a suitable inscription on the fuselage applied in the factory.
P7666 was a Spitfire Mk. IIa built under the 1st order for 1,000 Spitfire Mk. II at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory.
It left the factory on 15 November 1940, subsequently issued to No. 41 Squadron on 21 November. Flying this aircraft, Finlay shot down two Bf 109Es. The aircraft was subsequently passed to 54 Squadron where it was later converted to a Mk. Vb, and was shot down by a Bf109 of JG51 on 20 April 1941.

(Sorry about the chipping but as you can see its 'in-game' and horrible)