BL722 Sondra Lee IX
IWM Photo.
Supermarine Spitfire BL722 Mk Vb, Built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory.
Delivered to No 38 MU 22-1-42, assigned to 222S 28-2-42, Cat B on Ops 4-6-42, to Westland, assigned to 306S 30-8-42, transferred to 133S 29-9-42, transferred to 336th FS 1-10-42, transferred to 57OTU 17-8-44, takeoff coarse pitch hit obst Eshott Cat E 12-10-44, SOC.
2nd Lt. James 'Goody' Goodson and Capt. 'Dixie' Alexander sought permission from squadron CO, Maj. Don Blakeslee, to make the first flight of an American-marked fighter over the European continent, and he granted it with one proviso - they had to paint over the British roundels with white stars first. The only template handy was a crew chief's medallion, hence the somewhat-ironic use of the Star of David on these Spitfires.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 52nd Fighter Group 109th Observation Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron 2nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885165
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11047421 / O-794920
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885241
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885168
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Delivered |
Llandow, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71, UK | 22 January 1942 | Delivered to No 38 MU 22-1-42. |
Assigned |
North Weald Airfield, Merlin Way, North Weald, Essex CM16 6HR, UK | 28 February 1942 | Assigned to 222 Sqn 28-2-42. |
Other Combat damage |
North Weald Airfield, Merlin Way, North Weald, Essex CM16 6HR, UK | 4 June 1942 | Cat B damage on Op's 4-6-42. |
Other Factory repair |
Yeovil, Somerset, UK | 5 June 1942 - 29 August 1942 | To Westland for repair. |
Assigned |
Northolt, Greater London, UK | 30 August 1942 | Assigned to 306 Sqn (City of Torun) Polish 30-8-42. |
Other Transferred |
London Biggin Hill Airport, Main Road, Biggin Hill, Bromley, Kent TN16 3BH, UK | 29 September 1942 | Transferred to 133 [Eagle] Sqn RAF 29-9-42. |
Other Transferred |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 1 October 1942 | Transferred to 336th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF USAAF. 1-10-42. |
Crashed |
Chivenor, Braunton, Barnstaple, Devon EX31, UK | 28 October 1943 | Taxiing accident RAF Chivenor Cat 3 damage pilot Lt Don E Colton 107th RS 67th RG 9th AF 28-10-43. |
Other Transferred |
Hawarden, Deeside, Flintshire CH5, UK | 17 August 1944 | Transferred to 57 OTU 17-8-44. |
Crashed |
Eshott, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65, UK | 12 October 1944 | Take off in coarse pitch hit obstacle Eshott Cat E damage 12-10-44. |
Other Struck Off Charge SOC |
Hawarden, Deeside, Flintshire CH5, UK | 13 October 1944 | Struck Off Charge. |
Manufactured |
Castle Bromwich, West Midlands, UK | Built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory. |
Revisions
Spitfire Production List.
American Spitfire Aces of World War 2 by Andrew Thomas.
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/336_g…
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/336_a…
Personal research & 4th fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.