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| RAAF No. 79 Squadron Former Assignments 1 AP 1 AD 13 ARD 26 RSU 12 RSU |
Aircraft History Built by Supermarine in the United Kingdom. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) as Spitfire Mark Vc serial number LZ844. Disassembled and loaded aboard SS Kent and shipped overseas to Australia arriving on July 8, 1943. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Spitfire Mark Vc and continued to use the RAF serial number LZ844. On July 13, 1943 reassembled by 1 AP. On July 21, 1943 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On August 2, 1943 assigned to 13 ARD. On September 12, 1943 assigned to No. 79 Squadron coded UP-X in white with a white tail. No known nickname or nose art. During November 1943, retroactively assigned RAAF serial number A58-213. Mission History On December 12, 1943 took off from Kiriwina Airfield piloted by F/Sgt Dudley A. Gringlington, 408842. While airborne. suffered a hydraulic failure and the flaps failed to operate. On landing, the brakes failed and crashed into a truck then came to rest in a coral pit, injuring the pilot. On December 16, 1943 assigned to 26 Repair Salvage Unit (26 RSU). On January 12, 1944 deemed not economical for repair. On January 30, 1944 assigned to 12 Repair Salvage Unit (12 RSU) and the next day the fuselage was photographed with the wings and tail removed. On March 14, 1944 approved for conversion to components and officially written off and abandoned. Wreckage This aircraft remained in situ where it was abandoned at Kiriwina Airfield. In 1977 salvaged and shipped to Australia. Restoration Some pieces from this aircraft were used in the restoration of a composite Spitfire Mk. V / Mark VIII serial number R6915 code UP-R restored to static condition. Display During 2003, displayed at the Avalon Airshow and acquired by Aviation Australia as training aid. Next, loaned to Queensland Air Museum. Displayed in the markings of Spitfire LZ844 code UP-X. On May 11, 2011 sold and exported to the United Kingdom. References WW2 Nominal Roll - Dudley Albert Gringlington, 408842 ADF Serials - Spitfire A58-213 Contribute
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