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“When I joined the Squadron at Sawbridgeworth in January 1942 – was it really 66 years ago?! – we had a motley collection of Westland Lysanders and Curtiss Tomahawks. The Squadron, fortunately perhaps, was not operational with either.
Then in April of that year we took delivery of the first of the Mustang Mark 1s. They arrived in USAAF colours and markings and of course had to be resprayed in RAF camouflage and to be marked up with the Squadron letters and codes. Several minor modifications also had to be carried out including the fitting of VHF radio and mountings for the F24 camera. The aircraft had an armament of six .5 calibre Browning machine guns that had been fitted in the USA but they needed to be tested and harmonised. The firing butts at Sawbridgeworth were yet to be built so nearby RAF North Weald agreed to let us use theirs and so the aircraft were flown over the short distance to let the armourers do their stuff.
I made the trip in company with Sqn Ldr Alan Houseman, the deputy Squadron Commander, and whilst we waited for our Mustangs to be set up in the butts for testing we walked idly about and came to a nearby hangar. Within the corner Alan spotted a Mark 2 Spitfire, a mark which by this time was declared obsolescent.
Hailing a passing Warrant Officer we learnt that the aircraft had belonged to a Squadron that had moved on, leaving it behind and was now waiting to be flown away to an MU for disposal. Alan had flown Spitfires before joining 2 Squadron so was quite taken by the sight and, clearly, the possibilities.
“We’ll have that”, he said.
“What, steal it?” I said.
“Why not?” he said, “It’s probably going to be scrapped”.
True to his word he was back that afternoon with a ground party to service it and fuel it up. After which he flew Spitfire Mk2, Serial Number P7194 to Sawbridgeworth where it had No. 2 Squadron letters painted on. Thereafter, for its time on the Squadron, it took on the role of Squadron Hack and was used by the pilots on the flimsiest of excuses to fly around England.
My flying log book tells me that I made the first of several flights in it on May 2nd 1942. I remember well that it was a delight to fly; sensitive and responsive to the touch. I flew several later marks of Spitfire over the years but none had quite the same magical feel as the early version. I don’t doubt that many “old” pilots would agree.
Inevitably, in time, our crime was discovered and our unauthorised “toy” was taken from us but it was fun while it lasted.
I have wondered since what happened to it and to which squadron it had belonged before we took it. Certainly it might have been in action during the Battle of Britain given that North Weald and its Squadrons were very much involved.
One thing that is an indisputable fact though is Shiny Two operated the Spitfire long before the official history books relate. I know, for I was one of the pilots!
Credit to Ivor Harris - Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Dated - February 2009
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