HiRes Spitfire MkIXc 'Z*SH' (BR600) with N64 (British) Squadron in July 1942......

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Historic Significance of Spitfire 'BR600'

Piloted by Flt.Lt. Donald Kingaby of N64 Sqdn. Hornchurch, circa: July 1942.
Kingaby was flying BR600 on 30 July 1942 when he downed the first kill to fall
to a Spitfire MkIX.

Flt.Lt. Kingaby's Story

On the afternoon of 30 July 1942, Flt.Lt. Kingaby of 64th Sqn. 
scored his 16th aerial victory and afterwards reported:

"I sighted approximately 12 FW190s 2,000 ft. below us at 12,000 ft. just off Boulogne
proceeding towards the French coast. We dived down on them and I attacked a FW190
from astern and below, giving a very short burst, about 1/2 sec. from 300 yds.
I was forced to break away as I was crowded out by other Spits. I broke down and right 
and caught another FW as he commenced to drive away. At approximately 14,000 ft. 
I gave a burst of cannon and MG at a range of 400 yds. range hitting the E/A along it's fuselage.
Pieces fell off and the E/A continued in a straight dive nearly vertical.
I followed this E/A down to 5,000 ft. over boulogne and saw him hit the deck 
outside the town of Boulogne and explode and burn up. Returned to base at 0 ft."

This was the first occasion in which Spitfires had engaged the much-feared German Focke-Wulf
FW190 fighter on equal terms. Kingaby and the 64th. were taking the Spitfire MkIX, 
the latest version of the famous fighter, into action for the first time.
For the Luftwaffe, it was the beginning of the end of the air superiority it's fighter,
the FW190, had established over north-west Europe during the previous year.


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History of the No.64 Squardon.

Formed as a training unit on 1 August 1916 at Sedgeford, it was equipped with FE2bs.  
It received DH5 fighters in June 1917 and in October moved to France to began operations.  
The DH5s were replaced by SE5As in March 1918 and conducted both fighter and 
ground-attack operations for the remainder of the war.  It returned to Narborough in February 1919, 
where it disbanded on 31 December of the same year.

 The squadron was reformed at Heliopolis on 1 March 1936 as a Demon fighter squadron, 
its aircraft having already been sent out and operated as extra flights of No's 6 and 208 Squadrons.  
It was immediately involved in the Abyssinian crisis carrying out attacks against enemy (Italian) airfields 
and providing fighter cover to refuelling bombers.

With the crisis over the squadron returned to the Martlesham Heath to become part of the UK air defences.  
Turret Demons began arriving in February 1938 and Blenheim fighters in December, 
by which time the squadron was based at Church Fenton.  
From here it carried out coastal patrols before moving up to Evanton for defence of the fleet.  
The squadron converted to Spitfires in April 1940, just in time to assist with air cover 
for the Dunkirk evacuation and later took part in the Battle of Britain.

From early 1941 the squadron then began a series of moves between Scotland and the south, 
providing defensive cover whilst up north and carrying out offensive operations from southern bases, 
equipped with various marks of Spitfire.  However, in November 1944 the squadron converted to Mustangs 
and began long-range support duties to Bomber Command daylight raids.

Battle Honours include:

World War 1; Western Front, 1917-1918:  Cambrai, 1918:  Amiens:  Hindenburg Line:  Somme, 1918: Lys:  
World War 2: Channel & North Sea, 1940:  Dunkirk:  Battle of Britain:  Home Defence, 1940:  
Fortress Europe, 1941-1944:  Normandy, 1944:  Arnhem:  Walcheren:  France & Germany, 1944-1945:


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You will note that the placement of the Squadron codes on this Spitfire 
was contrary to the standard placement of other British Squadron markings.
Also Kingaby's Spitfire didn't seem to display his victories on the his Spitfire.
This was probably because of a Fighter Command's edict. 
I however, have placed them back were they belong. 
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 an wings by Col. Gibbon.
As usual I've tweaked some, but not all, of this skin's detailing...... 

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Cheers
Skylark  