Lytham St. Annes Spitfire Mk. Vb 'QV-J'

Was doing some more random google-age and found this website about 19 Squadron Spitfire Mk. Vb W3644 'QV-J' (i.e. same as mine in game) which was bought with funds from Lytham St. Annes.

http://www.w3644.com/index.htm



Seems they're trying to raise money so they can build a replica of the Spitfire and some others for a memorial in the town!

I'll have to go see it when it's ready.

Seems they also have a static repilica Spitfire that you can hire for the day!

Info on the Spitfire and Pilot:

"The aircraft served the Squadron well until the 23 June 1942. Sgt Alan Lever Ridings had taken off from RAF Hutton Cranswick to take part in a Ramrod (bomber protection) mission to Morlaix in France. Alan was escorting Boston Bombers when the family was told that another pilot from 19 Squadron had bailed out after being jumped and shot up by a FW 190. Alan had spotted the pilot landing in the sea and was circling him whilst passing details to radio operators to enable the stricken pilot’s recovery. Alan was running low on fuel and was ordered back to base by his Squadron Leader who took over the job of guiding in the rescue team. Alan headed for home but never made it.


German fighters from JG2 Wing had been very active that day and a number of aircraft had been lost to the FW190’s although, German records do not make record of any ‘kill’ around the time of Alan’s disappearance. Joan, Alan’s sister, thinks that he may have run out of fuel and had to ditch although no radio communication was received from Alan informing controllers of his need to ditch. His last recorded vector was on a heading between Berry Head and Start Point about six miles out to sea when contact was lost at 10.40 am on Tuesday 23rd June 1942. Alan was presumed missing over the sea. No trace of Alan or W3644 was ever found."

RIP.