HiRes Spitfire HF MkIXc 'PK*K' (EN172) with N°315 (City of Deblin) Squadron in May 1943......

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Historic Significance of Spitfire 'EN172'

Piloted by Flt.Off.Stanislaw 'Charlie' Blok of N°315 Deblinski Sqdn. Northolt, circa: May 1943.

Spitfire MkIXc 'EN172' and Flt.Off.Blok's Story

'EN172' was one of the first MkIXs delivered to 315th Sqdn. where it became the personal mount
of Sqn.Ldr.Sawicz. On 15 May 1943 this Spitfire was flown by Flg.Off.Blok during 'Circus 297'.

He later wrote in his report:
"I noticed 1 Fw190 in a slight dive. I attacked him from astern and above from 600 yds.
I clearly saw flashes on him and he took no evasive action. I follow him, firing several burst,
expanding all my ammunition. During these burst I saw a number of flashes on the fuselage and wings
and alot of smoke pouring out. Next, I saw his fuselage catch fire and he crashed to the ground
and exploded."

Sqn.Ldr.Poptawski used 'EN172' after replacing Sawicz as CO. while Capt.Francis Gabreski also
flew it with the 315th.Sqdn. In June 1943 the aircraft transferred to 303rd.Sqdn. where no fewer
then seven Aces used it on operations: Sqn.Ldrs.Rutkowski and Falkowski, Flt.Lts.Kos and Krol,
Plt.Off.Wunsche, Wt.Off.Popek and Flt.Sgt.Chudek. It is delieved that 'EN172'
was the most 'Ace-flown' Spitfire in the PAF.(Polish Air Force)


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History of the No 315 (City of Deblin) Squadron 

Formed at Acklington on 21 January 1941 as a Polish fighter unit, it was equipped with 
Hurricane Is in February and moved to Speke in March.

In July 1941 the squadron moved to Northolt and re-equipped with Spitfires beginning offensive sweeps 
over the continent. These offensive operations interspersed with defensive duties in Lancashire, 
Yorkshire and Northern Ireland became the order of the day until 315 joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force 
in November 1943.

Mustangs replaced the Spitfires in March 1944 and in June the squadron covered the invasion of Normandy 
but instead of moving to France, it was retained in the UK to combat V-1 flying bomb attacks.  
With this threat reduced the squadron began bomber escort missions from East Anglia.  

In November 1944 the range of the Mustang led the squadron to be posted to Peterhead in Scotland 
to provide protection to Coastal Commands strike wings operating off the Norwegian coast.  
A return to East Anglia came in January 1945 and from then until the end of war the squadron 
was involved in offensive sweeps over the Low Countries.  
The squadron was retained in Fighter Command until disbanding at Coltishall on 14 January 1947.



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This skin can be used for Emil's 9thUSAAF/2TAF Campaign if you so desire.... 

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Skin was developed from Nico's Spitfire 'PK*K' which in turn was
based on the HR skin by DeanH and the HR 3Dz model by Col. Gibbon
further modified by Ray Otton...
Other enhancements; Carl'Peregine'Ringvold's Adj. RAFMk3 Gunsight...
Dallas'Pathfinder'Parrot's Merlin engine 'Start-up' sound...
Jander's Merlin engine 'In-flight' sound...
John 'Col.Gibbon' Graham's HR Spitfire MkIX Spinner...
As usual I've tweaked some, but not all, of this skin's detailing...... 

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Cheers
Skylark  