Spitfire L1004 of Flt Lt 'Sandy' Johnstone, 602 Squadron BoB

[ICDP]

http://www.filedropper.com/l1004_2







Flt Lt 'Sandy' Johnstone was flying L1004 when on the night of 25/26 June 1940 he shot down a Heinkel He.111H-3 of 3./KG.26 near Dunbar in Scotland, and again on 30 June when he shared in the destruction of a Ju.88 of 1./KG.51. In July he was promoted to lead the squadron, and in August 1940 he took them down to Westhampnett in Sussex at the height of the Battle of Britain.

[Nick C]

That's really very nice!

[Lewis - A2A]

Beautiful as always Martin

[Chunk]

A real beaut, thanks!!!

[killerwatt]

I asked Martin to do this repaint for me, and I have to say he has surpassed himself. I can't tell you all how pleased I am to have this skin knowing how much effort he put into it. In August Sandy Johnstone led 602 to Westhampnett near Chichester in West Suss ex, where they stayed for the remainder of the battle becoming one of the highest scoring squadrons in the process. Shortly after their arrival at Westhampnett, L1004 was damaged at Tangngmere a few miles from Westhampnett while in a hangar for maintenance on the 16th August 1940, and later she was subsequently rebuilt as a Mk Va. She also served with 57 and 58 OTUs. Even later she was rebuilt into the prototype PR MkXIII Spitfire. So all in all she led a very varied life I did attempt to post a pic earlier but the forum was over quota so thanks to Martin for posting.

[Barvan]

Great stuff Martin! Thanks for all your great repaints!

[JoeS475]

That is gorgeous!!! Quick question about the lack of roundels on the underside of the wings... was this due to the aircraft being rushed into service, was it an individual squadron thing, or was it a certain RAF mandate at a particular point in time? Or something else?

Thanks yet again, Martin!

Joe

[killerwatt]

That is gorgeous!!! Quick question about the lack of roundels on the underside of the wings... was this due to the aircraft being rushed into service, was it an individual squadron thing, or was it a certain RAF mandate at a particular point in time? Or something else?

Thanks yet again, Martin!

Joe

As Far as I can ascertain it was just how she was painted at the time. She was one of the earlier Spits, having been delivered to 602 on 24th September 1939 so probably didnt recieve a full repaint (apart from Squadron codes) untill she was rebuilt as a MkV. As you can see she also still carries the small serial number and this is how she appeared in June 1940.

[ICDP]

That is gorgeous!!! Quick question about the lack of roundels on the underside of the wings... was this due to the aircraft being rushed into service, was it an individual squadron thing, or was it a certain RAF mandate at a particular point in time? Or something else?

Thanks yet again, Martin!

Joe

Thanks Joe.

There were a few 'standard' RAF schemes for the undersides of their fighters during the early war years. The black and white undersides were standard from April 1939 until June 6th 1940 when a new directive was issued calling for 'sky' undersides with no national markings. On August 11th another directive was issued reinstating the national insignias. Obviously these changes did not happen overnight, espcially given the circumstances, so many variations were seen throughout the Battle of Britain.

Incidentally the 'sky' undersides varied from unit to unit and even from aircraft to aircraft. It is possible to see Spitfires during the Battle of Britain with sky colours ranging from azure blue to dark grey and duck egg blue (that was more green than blue)

Many people get really hissy about the valid colours to be used on BoB era aircraft. The truth is that variations existed in the standard colours depending on the paint batch, even when they were from the same factory. Add in the fact that natural weathering also changed tone and colour over time and you start to understand that if you get it close then it's good enough. I personally add some minor variations on brightness, tone and saturation levels on my camo colours from repaint to repaint. I find it makes them very slightly more unique.

[JoeS475]

Thanks guys...

Joe

[killerwatt]

Once I have become a bit more proficient at flying this bird, this will be my mount when I venture online.

[Tigerclaw]

How will I become proficient at flying this bird

By going HERE and reading that thread, reading the manuals, and reading THIS thread, and even THIS thread aswell. That's about every tip, trick, guide, and tuition I can think of that you will need. Two very knowledgeable people have spent a lot of time compiling those tutorials, and you won't do any better than following their tips. Yes it may take some time to read it all, but if you want to become proficient, that's the way to do it

[JeanR]

^
LOL. Nice one.

[WaltE1965]

Any chance of getting this uploaded to another site? My internet service provider blocks both your current download site as well as fileplanet I have no recousre either, because the managment at my apartment complex forces you to use only there provider and no other . Funny thing is they charge out the you know what for it as well at $40 USD a month extra. What a load of you know what.....