A Spitfire Mk
I of 609 West Riding Squadron in aviation art print by M A Kinnear. 609
West Riding Squadron was in action
throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain
and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
Aviation art print available from Cranston Fine
Arts.
Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear.
Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4590 PR-F.
Aircraft History:
First flight
30th September, 1940. Delivered to 609 West Riding Squadron October, 1940.
On 21st October, 1940, whilst flown by pilot officer S J Hill it shared in
the destruction of a Ju88 which was 609 Squadron's 100th victory. X4590
was damaged on 25th October, 1940. After repair it was delivered to 66
Squadron. This aircraft is now preserved in its 609 Squadron markings in
the Battle of Britain Hall at the RAF Museum, Hendon.
Pilot Officer Sydney Jenkyn Hill:
Born April 1917, Sydney Hill joined 609 West Riding Squadron at RAF Middle
Wallop in October 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flying Spitfire Mk I
PR-F serial X4590 he shared in the destruction of 609 Squadron's 100th
victory (a Ju88), with Flight Lieutenant F. J Howell, DFC.
On 18th June, 1941, whilst flying
Spitfire MKVb PR-H serial W3211, he engaged Bf109s off Cap Gris Nez.
Although his aircraft was damaged he managed to get back to the English
coast and was seen gliding down towards Dover. Sadly, he crashed 5 miles
west of Dover and was killed.
609 Squadron came into being on the 10th February
1936 as part of the expanding Auxiliary Air Force. Initially a bomber
squadron equipped with Hawker Harts. On 8th December, 1938, the Squadron's
role was changed from bomber to fighter and the squadron took delivery of
its first Spitfires Mk I during August 1939. The squadrons first victory
was a Heinkel HE111 H-2 of 2/KG26 which was shot down near St. Abbs Head,
27th February 1940, by Flying Officer G. D. Ayre, Pilot Officer J R
Buchanan and Flying Officer D Persse-Joynt. 609 squadron was, it is said,
the first Spitfire Squadron to reach 100 victories (Ju88 A-5 1/KG51) on
21st October 1940. The victory was shared by Flight Lieutenant F J Howell
and Pilot Officer S J Hill. During April 1942, 609 began to replace its
Spitfires with Hawker Typhoons, and went on to become the first Typhoon
squadron with 227 victories. Based at many RAF Stations 609 was in action
throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain
and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd TAF. There were many
decorations awarded to squadron members, these included 3 DSOs, 22 DFCs
and Bars and 4 DFMs. On 16th December 1947, King George VI gave permission
for use of the Royal Prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. 609
Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded on 10th March 1957,
whilst equipped with Gloster Meteors F8 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire.
On 1st October, 1999, 609 (west Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air
Force, was re-formed at RAF Leeming operating in the guise of Air Defence
Support Squadron (ADSS).
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