This is my "rip-off" of Jamie Richard's outstanding North Africa, Spitfire LF Mk VB.  I wanted to be able to have a Mk V in both slots for my North Africa Theaters (Jamie's typically in the Mk IX slot).  As result of my pathetic skinning skills it took me hours
just to get the M to look OK. I did fix the gear and the shell ejection. Other changes are subtle.  If you can improve on my work please send me a copy so I can update too. 

This skin represents Spitfire Mk VB, Serial Number: EP340/T-M (several different Spitfires used T-M as codes, replacing destroyed craft) flown by Flag Officer John McElroy, R.A.F. Number 249 Squadron, out of Takali, October, 1942.  It was probably delivered with the 30 Spitfires flown to Malta from HMS Eagle during July, 1942.  It was destroyed by I./JG 53 Expertan, Unteroffizier Marian Mazurek, on October 15, 1943 (his 30th victim).   Australian Flt Sgt Edwin Hiskens, was killed.  Two days prior, Canadian Ace, John McElroy, engaged  a 79-strong fighter and bomber force sent to the Island (the fourth of the day) with only 7 other aircraft.  Five fighters and two bombers were claimed with McElroy being credited with the destruction of a Re 2001 and a Bf 109 damaged.  McElroy returned to the UK in December, 1942.  His final score was 10 and 3 shared destroyed, 1 and 1 shared probably destroyed, and 12 damaged.  In 1948/49 he added an Egyptian C205V and two RAF Spitfire FR 18s to his tally while flying an Israeli Spitfire Mk IX.  Now that's irony!

My thanks to J. Richards for putting out his pcx files to allow guys like me to change them around and Captain Manduca and Stag for the new 3dz files, and Mosi for skinning tips, and do I have much to learn.  History lesson courtesy of Osprey Aircraft of the Aces: Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941 - 45.

Michael "RedEyes" Lask
mjlask@ameritech.net


------------------------------------
Edward started a whole process to create the tropical VB.  The orignal model was Capitan Manducas 3DZ with Claudios trop filter and non-mirroring by Ghostboy.  Captain Kurt finished the whole thing off and really perfected it.  I cleaned up the skin to match.