Red arrow of Czechoslovakia
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After the end of WWII, Czechoslovakian fighter units in the RAF came back home as such, bringing with them a sizeable complement of brand-new Spitfires Mk. IX. Nos. 310, 312 and 313 Squadrons brought eighteen Spitfires each, amounting to 54 aircraft. During the years 1945- 1948, these aircraft served in frontline units of the reinstated Czechoslovak Air Force under the type designation S-89.
Spitfire and the ex-RAF squadrons were very popular with the Czech and Slovak public, at least prior to the communist seizure of power in 1948. One of the S-89s shown here was dedicated as a display aircraft, stripped off its camouflage and adorned with a red arrow emblem on the fuselage. Popularily called "Blesk" (lightning), this aircraft participated in numerous airshows during 1946-47. Morgan & Shacklady in their Spitfire - The History recorded the name of the display pilot as Staff Captain Pösta, but I have my doubts about the spelling of his name.
Perhaps the readers could add further information about this airplane. [Petr Dolezal]
Labels: Spitfire Mk. IX
4 Comments
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posted by
Tango India Mike on 10 Feb 2008 16:30:00
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A most interesting Spitfire indeed! What a shame that a serial number is not visible, although somebody is sure to be able to supply it. From a modelling point of view it is interesting to note the removal of armament, but the retention of the gyro gunsight just visible through the windscreen. I expect that sooner or later we shall see a model of this aircraft from Messers Hrubisko - if I don't beat them to it (oh well, ANOTHER Spitfire to add to the 'to build' list!)
posted by
Spitfire Site Editor on 12 Feb 2008 14:09:00
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Tango India Mike,
There is a colour profile of this aircraft in the Morgan & Shacklady book. According to it, the RAF serial had been removed with the rest of the camouflage. There is a standard Czech roundel (insignia?) on the fin, same position as other camouflaged S-89.
I'm still waiting for one of our Czech visitors to come with better information about this a/c, but I hope this helps for now,
/Martin
posted by
wings48 on 13 Dec 2008 06:36:00
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The serial no is TE515. CzAF as DU-W. In 1948 to the Israeli air force as 2058, in 1954 to the Burmes air force as UB439.
All the best
wings48
wings48.com
posted by
Stooovie on 15 Jun 2009 17:39:00
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The spelling of the pilot's name is quite OK, only the "something" above the letters is a "háček", (small hook) above the letter S, which is pronounced in Czech as SH, /poshta/, Pošta.
Gorge F.