LF Spitfire MkIXe 'YO*N'(W3834) with N°401 RCAF (Canadian) Squadron stationed at Croydon AFB circa:October 1943......
 
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History of the RCAF 401st.(Ram) Squadron

Originally formed in 1931 equipped with Siskins as No 1 (F) Squadron RCAF, 
it absorbed No 115 Squadron prior to mobilisation and arrived in Britain on 21 June 1940, 
moving into Middle Wallop.  Its Hurricanes had been brought over from Canada and needed updating 
and so it was August before the unit became operational.  Prior to gaining operational status, 
the pilots operated alongside No 111 Squadron to gain experience.

It operated from Northolt until October 1940 when it moved to Prestwick in Scotland, 
moving south again in stages until February 1941 when it arrived at Digby.  
It was here in 1 March that No 1 Squadron RCAF was re-numbered No 401.  
Operating from Digby until October 1941, it saw little action, but it then moved south to Biggin Hill 
and remained in No 11 Group carrying out offensive operations until January 1943. 

Moving to Catterick the squadron was mainly involved in training as well as coastal patrols 
for four months before returning to action .  The Squadron had replaced its Hurricanes 
with Spitfires in September 1941, first Mk IIs and then Mk Vs and later Mk IXs.   
Returning south in May 1943 the squadron joined No 83 Group of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in June, 
still equipped with Spitfire Vbs.  In October it received Spitfire IXs again 
and began escorting attacks against V-1 sites, as well as training for and conducting sweeps 
in preparation for Operation Overlord.

From 18 June 1944, the squadron was operating from France, conducting ground attack missions and armed recces.  
On 5 October, a squadron patrol met a Messerschmitt Me262 jet and shot it down, 
the first victory over this type credited to either the RAF or RCAF.  
Operations were restricted in the early part of 1945 due to bad weather, 
but from the end of February it was heavily involved in the offensive until the end of the war.  
The squadron received a few Spitfire XIVs in May 1945 but Mk XVIs became standard equipment 
until the squadron disbanded at Fassberg on 3 July 1945.


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This skin is another indulgance of mine and is somewhat fictional.
The Squadron codes & production number are correct of the 401st. 
The fuselage 'Maple Emblem' I borrowed from Group Leader Johnny Johnson's aircraft.
Everything else is just me goofing around...
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...
Ray'Rotton50'Otton modified the original model to create this excellent
LF 'Clipped Wing' MkIXe version...
As usual I've tweaked some, but not all, of this skin's detailing...... 

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Cheers
Skylark  