 |
 |
|
Built at the Supermarine
works at Castle Bromwich in the West
Midlands late in the war, TA805 started its
career with the RAF at No 39 MU in December
1944. Wearing the code letters HF it joined
183 (Gold Coast) Squadron at Chilbolton on
the 17th June 1945. Commanded by Sqd/Ldr J R
Cullen DFC, the squadron converted from the
Typhoon IB to the Spitfire IX. The squadron
Operational Record Book records the
conversion and movements.
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
The pilots and their kit were flown by
Dakota to Chilbolton where we join Fighter
Command No.11 Group and convert to Spitfire
IX's.
20.6.45 - Four new aircraft ferried in
by ATA. A period of conversion then began
for two months. |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
On the 1st August the squadron commenced
formation flying, aerobatics and cannon
testing. On the 27th July 1945 TA805 was
transferred to No.234 (Madras Presidency)
Squadron at Bentwaters in Suffolk. Now coded
FX,the squadron had just converted from
Mustang IV's to Spitfire IX's at Bentwaters
and were due to go to a Practice Armament
Camp. The squadron Operational Record Books
records the following.
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
This morning the CO, Sqd/Ldr Storrar, led
the squadron in formation down to Hawkinge
where we will stay for a month for practice
gunnery and bombing'. |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
The squadron then returned to Bentwaters.
234 Squadron were part of a wing of 24
Squadrons led by legendary Battle of Britain
ace and later famous test pilot W/Cdr Roland
P Beamont DSO and Bar DFC. This wing flew
the 1945 Battle of Britain
commemoration flight over London in
September and it is possible that
TA805 was one of the aircraft taking
part. |
|
|
|
|
TA805 was then
struck off charge and shipped to the
South African Air Force in early
1949.
The Spitfire IX opposite - "5553"
wears the colours of the South
African Air Force.
TA805 once
wore a similar scheme. |
 |
|
|
|
