Hi everybody:

I´m buliding a Spitfire Mk Vb and my intention is to make it of the 79 th Sqn - RAAF. I know that the RAAF did have only one Mk Vb, and that one belonged to the 79 Sqn.
My problem is that I don´t know the third letter code. The first two letters of the 79 Sqn were UP, but does somebody knows the third one corresponding to this particular aircraft ? I´ve been searching in diferent sources but didn´t find anything about it.
I´ll appreciate some help.

Hi.
Im sure someone will correct me if Im wrong,but Ive always thought that the first 2 letters of the code were the squaron letters and the third letter refered to the individual aircraft.
Hope this helps.
Nigel

Whoops.
I misread your question.Sorry

In gral. that´s the way it was. In this case the Sqn. letters are "UP". The problem is that I cant´t find any source that shows or mention what was the third one, as you said the one corresponding to the aircraft.

Ive had a good old search around on google and come up with this site.

www.adf-serials.com

This lists Australian military aircraft serial numbers.
An exhaustive list and although I couldnt find the MkVb in there,,(they are all listed as MKVc) it should be able to put you in touch with someone who may know the answer.

I found your MK Vb in the serial number list.
Unfortunately is doesnt give the squadron code but the following information may help you.

Its RAF number was ER735,,RAAF serial number A58-163.
The Spit arrived in Australia on SS Empire Strength on 11/04/43
Delivered new 03/43
79 Squadron authorised for write off 05/46
Struck off 11/48
If I can find anything else I will let you know.
Nigel

Thanks Nigel !

G'day,

A58-163 during the later part of it's service life carried the aircraft code leter 'X' only, it did not carry the UP codes of the Sqn. It's operational career ended with 5 OTU.

Thanks for the info Rob.
Does OTU means a training unit ?
Do you know something about the cammo ?

Thanks again your data is very usefull to my project.

Rob, not too sure about the info, but on Visipix I came across this info; A58-163 (ER735) 79Sqdn UP-Z as well as this photo:

Hi Eric.
Many thanks for the info. The photograph clearly shows a RAAF Mk Vb with the the third letter code to be a "Z". The cammo looks like a "two tone" in the front part of the aircraft. Isn´t it?

Rob, just to confuse you further; here’s another photo of A58-163 from Visipix, this time serving with 85 Squadron and in Natural Metal Finish:

Thanks Eric.
I dicided to represent the UP*Z. I´ll use the decals (roundels and UP code letters and the ones for the tail) that I have from a Airfix Mk VC and I´ll paint the the third letter Z using a mask. The upper surface will be the green used by the RAAF (Humbrol 149) and the undersides Model Master Duck Egg Blue.


You helped me a lot many thanks for the info

Hi Carlos.
Looks like we managed to get there in the end.
Isnt it great how informative this site is?
Im looking forward to seeing this finished model!
Nige

Hi Nigel:

I love Armorama, this is the right place to ask if you need to know something about modelling. Sure 100% you´ll get more than one reply that will solve the question.

When finished I´ll post some pics here. It will take a litle of time (a month or two) because I´m also building a couple of Tamiya Moosies in 1/72 and one in 1/48. That plus my job and my wife makes me advance slowly.

Regards.

hi ,
not sure if this helps ,but this is an original vc we have here in south australia which served with 79 sqdn.I believe its the only original aircraft to have served with the raaf of this type that stills exists today.

This aircraft was manufactured in 1942 by Westlands in the UK. It was shipped to Australia and became part of RAAF 79 Squadron at Milne Bay. on the 28 August 1943 it crashed On Kiriwina Island and was transported back to Goodenough Island. In 1971 Langdon Badger found the aircraft and in 1973 he had it shipped to Adelaide. After four years of restoration at Parafield airport Langdon displayed the Spitfire at his home in Adelaide. In August 2001 the aircraft was put on display in the Museum.


http://www.saam.org.au/Aircraft/Spitfire/LangdonSpitfire.jpg
http://www.saam.org.au/SAAM.htm

regards andrew

sorry guys misread
"I dicided to represent the UP*Z. I´ll use the decals (roundels and UP code letters and the ones for the tail) that I have from a Airfix Mk VC"
as im going to do a VC .