MB955 Lease Fleece
*Not M3-955, actually MB955. Roger Freeman Collection
Roger Freeman Photo.
Caption correction.
Object Number - FRE 3284 - A Spitfire Mk XI (serial number M3-955*) of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. *Not M3-955, actually MB955.
Supermarine Spitfire MB955 PR Mk XIT, Built at Chattis Hill.
FF 20-10-43, delivered to Benson 5-11-43, assigned to 14PRS 7PRG 8AF USAAF 5-12-43
Lost over Holland Pilot Lt Paul A Balogh MACR 9170. 19-9-44, SOC.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
![Photographic officers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group look through camera lenses infront of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273528.' [Censor no.]. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380976.jpg.webp?itok=b-IRYuYJ)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot/Squadron Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 22nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Photo Reconnaissance Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-660669
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Squadron Commander/Photo Reconnaissance Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 19 September 1944
- Date: 6 June 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Manufactured Failed to Return (FTR) |
Chattis Hill, Spitfire Ln, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6JS, UK | 20 October 1943 - 19 September 1944 | Built at Chattis Hill. First flew 20-10-43. Test flown by Leif Lundsten. |
|
Delivered |
Royal Air Force, RAF Benson, Benson, Wallingford OX10 6AA, UK | 5 November 1943 | Delivered to RAF Benson 5-11-43. |
|
Assigned |
Mt Farm Cottage, Dorchester, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7PG, UK | 5 December 1943 | Assigned to 14th PRS 7th PRG 8th AF USAAF 5-12-43. |
|
Crashed |
Belgium | 19 September 1944 | Failed To Return FTR Pilot Lt Paul A Balogh KIA MACR 9170. 19-9-44. Shot down by German fighters over Belgium. Pilot stayed with his crippled Spitfire to prevent it from crashing into Creancey. Died when the Spitfire crashed outside of the town. |
|
Other Struck Off Charge SOC |
Mt Farm Cottage, Dorchester, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7PG, UK | 20 September 1944 | Struck Off Charge. |
Revisions
Spitfire Production List.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=MB955
Changed serial number from MB-955 to MB955 as instructed.
Spitfire Production List.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=MB955
MACR 9170 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
