Another Spit in someones back garden

[ROBH]

Driving around the perimeter of RAF St Mawgan could'nt beleive my eyes. Its registered as N3117 and was used in the filming of "The Battle of Britain" in a sorry state although he is trying to raise cash to restore it.
Also in the garden was the front fuselage of a Canberra bomber, the propeller and radial of a B17 which crashed in the sea off Looe and loads of other bits and bobs.
Alan Titchmarsh eat your heart out.

[paul b]

 

      Now that's what you call a garden ornament !!   

                                        Paul 

[Gate Master]

I notice it is coded OU-Z so Mk 9 of 485 squadron....I'll go check the book !

OK we all say it together....."I want one"

Andy

[ROBH]

I also forgot to post this, unfortunately I should have taken the complete set of notes alongside the wall.

[ROBH]

Now digging in earnest.
http://www.bywat.co.uk/wd954.html
http://www.newquayvoice.co.uk/nvnews/news/newsItem.php?news_id=1234&offset=&phpShop=b1fa4203db745af4918498b26d1f870b

[MattHunt]

"If it wasn’t for the Spitfire gaining air superiority and winning the Battle of Britain we would have been invaded by Hitler"

Poor forgotten Hurricane.....

*sniff*

I nearly crashed the car drving past that Spit a few years ago. My wife had to point out that the Road is more important than my mania for things with wings, merlins and a nice line in camo...

[rrmerlin]

There are only two items that I ever wanted for my garden,  a  red telephone kiosk and a Spitfire.  To be serious, I think the production number
may have been adopted when it was used as a look-alike mark I.  It would appear from the following that the OU-Z may also be fictitious.  Still, it would be fun to just sit in.  A shame that is is just rusting away.  So is it really MH978 ?

N3117 Ia 390EAMIIIFF 27-10-39 27MU 28-10-39 No 2 Camera Unit HAL 4-2-40PRIII Type C RAE trials 4-40 damaged ops 9-12-40 GAL Cv PRV M45 install PRU Benson 20-6-41 SOC CE 9-12-41

The PR Mk IE was built to address a requirement for oblique close-ups as opposed to high altitude vertical pictures. It is believed that only one Type E was built, N3117. It carried a single F .24 camera under each wing looking downwards at about 15 degrees below the horizontal. It proved most useful as it was able to photograph targets under weather Cv conditions that would make high altitude photography impossible

[ROBH]

I am going down to Cornwall at the end of October so I may knock the door and see I can get more information.
My mate is very keen to see it so I will post anything I find.

[Dan]

i really think that this should be rescued atleast to dry storage even if just to conserve what is left of her . kind of sad that it should be left in this way a glorified garden feature , id be breaking my neck trying to find backers to aid in the financial backing for restoration .

[rrmerlin]

Here is an update on Barry Wallond's spiffed up Garden Spitfire.   Very interesting artist and aircraft memorabilia collector.
http://www.wallond.com/Place.html
David

[paul b]

 

   Certainly looking a lot healthier than earlier pictures, shame it's not under cover though. 

                                            Paul   

[ROBH]

Thanks for posting the link Merlin, I didn't get to see the Spit but it does look a lot better than on my last visit.
He wants to show up to 100 aircraft !!!!!!!!! WOW some front garden.