IAC Spitfires

[type509]

Tony and John- After some digging thru my resources I have found a referance to the Vickers- Armstrong specification document refering to the type 499 as the MkVIII and the type 502 as the MkIX conversions. I am now curious as to the type numbers on the original Supermarine drawings. I will be checking this out further. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
 I have never said "I knew better". In fact I will be the first to admit I know very little. So perhaps I am wiser than you give me credit for?. I am however trying to find out more about the overlooked Two seaters history. Of which the IAC forms a very important part of.
In the time I've spent researching these few aircraft I have learned a lot and also more importantly met many great people from around the world. I've also be able to help uncover some of the little known history about these Spitfires from around the world. My modest "fan" website to these aircraft is just that, a "fan" site. If it generates a source of information then great.  
John - Yes I did get your photos. Thank you very much. I'm greatful you provided them. I'm also sorry I forgot to reply to you earlier. My time has been taken up these days by my kids and overtime at my work. Send me your address and I'll send you the money for a pint!

Sincerely- Neil

[Tony Kearns]

Yes John, I am that person. I have been and still am an horoured guest on my frequent visits to Baldonnel. It goes back to the mid sixties. Then, with my camera I also had a tape measure to note the dimensions of the bosses(roundels),fuselage markings and stencils. It is /was a privelege to be allowed to do this.I dont think that I was harsh on Neil. I too at one time assumed that Irish Spitfires were to Spec 509. It was the late Flt/Sgt. Robert Brown who first mentioned the specification to me, he had been at the contractors for the acceptance tests. However it was my great friend Bobbie Gallagher(Reg.Sgt/Major) who suggested never to assume anything in these situations. We searched the dust filled presses in HQ Block corridors(remember them?) and located the file on the evaluation, negotiations and purchase of Type 502 Spitfire Trainers. God knows where these files are now. I was in Sittingbourne last week phew! the heat.
Neil, good for you, as a result of my incidental remark about Type 502 it spurned you to check further. Surely this is what it is all about and not to assume the stance adopted in your reply of the 15 August. I will help you where I can as I do with anyone who is genuinly interested in our Air Corps.

[Claudel Hopson]

The word on the PC9 is that they are still in Switzerland. Nobody really knows whats going on except loads of rumours. There have been no purchases for support equipment or tooling etc. and the latest is delivery is now put back by a month because of some delay on the SIM.

Corro is looking over my shoulder and says hello and that the smart comment he wants to send to you cannot be printed!

What are you up to this weather in the RAF?

[type509]

Tony - I would be most greatful for your help in furthering the documentation of the IAC's Spitfires. As I live on the West coast of Canada it is very hard to "drop by" the offices of the air arms I'm researching. It is only by the good graces of kind researchers and enthusiasts I am able to put together more information about these airplanes. Perhaps you could email me off board and we can discuss this further. Thank you- Neil

[Silver]

The PC-9's are only being built at the moment, Right ?

Deliveries are to commence circa March 04.

[John K]

Hey Neil, no sweat! I don't want payment, those photo's didn't cost me a penny and all I did was scan them and send them to you. It's good that you appreciate them. Have you got any information on 438 Sqn. RCAF? What are they doing now etc? I know that during the war they operated Typhoons.
I remember you too, Tony, 'sorry to hear about Bobby Brown, he was one of my instructors in the Apprentice school. What about Bobbie Gallagher, what is he up to now? He was a goldmine of information, I can't help but think he could have done very well in the civil field. He used to put the fear of God into us young Airmen! Unless we met him 'up camp' where he was a totally different person!

[Claudel Hopson]

The airframes were already in assembly when the order was placed, hence the quick delivery date. It is the outfitting of the avionics, HUD, OBOGS and wrangling about the armaments which are taking up most of the assembly time.

[Tony Kearns]

John,
I spoke to Bobbie Gallagher recently and he is in good form and always asking about the Air Corps. His friend Joe Carlton died last year which upset him (and us also) but he is his usual self and full of information and advice.
Tony Kearns

[Silver]

Cheers Claudel.
Nice to have some real info on this board !

Regards,
Silver.

[John K]

Hey Tony,
I was very saddened when I heard about Joe (we knew him as 'the Clipper') he was a mentor to a lot of us 'young lads' in Heli Sqn. I know he put my name forward to go as crewman to collect an Allouette after overhaul and fly back to Baldonnel from Marseille. The last time I saw him he was talking to Paddy Carey at the air spectacular in Baldonnel a few years ago. Can you send my regards to Bobby Gallagher next time you see him, I don't suppose he'll remember me (my nickname in Baldonnel was Johnny the Brit! if that's any help!) I was in Fighter Sqn. from '78 to '80 and Heli Sqn. from '80 to '85. reaching the dizzy heights of Corporal. Good to see that you've still got your enthusiasm for the IAC!
Best wishes,
John K.

[John K]

Hey Claudel, I'm still with British Airways but a couple of evenings a week and some weekends we put on our Blue uniforms and teach youngsters (14-18 year olds) about aircraft, the RAF, teach them how to march, shoot, etc. It's a unit called the Air Training Corps and most towns have a Sqdn. Usually there's a couple of camps to RAF bases during the year with plenty of flying laid on for them (us!) It does take up a lot of time organising stuf but usually it's worth it, keeps them off the streets and out of trouble. I had to wait until I was gone 16 before I joined the FCA and had a laugh, my eldest daughter has flown in all sorts of aircraft, she's been to Germany, she's got a good idea of what the Air Force is about and what she wants to do, (not be a techie!)I didn't have that when I was 15! Best wishes to you and Corro', JK

[Tony Kearns]

John,
I passed on your good wishes to Bobby and of course he remembered you. Someone else remembers you Tony Flanagan.... he wants to know if there is any chance of the few bob you owe him for the photos on the motor bike. Is there something that I should know about?'>??
All the best
Tony K

[FiannaFail]

A very wise daughter you have there John K, fair play to her!
FiannaFail   '>

[John K]

Thanks Tony,
If you see Flanno' I paid him handsomely for those photo's! It was just before I left and we wheeled my (1100cc) motorbike into the Photo' Section for some photo's. I've still got them too but not that bike anymore, I've got an even bigger one now (1200cc!)
I'm touched that Bobby remembered me, only being a Corporal then, although I'm a Warrant Officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve now. He was a great man at his job as in those days he had to have two hats on, one technical and the other military. Sometime when I get back to Dublin I'll look you up for a chinwag about the good old days!
Best wishes, John K.

[John K]

Yeah, she is a wise daughter, she's gonna do something with her life.. and not pretend to be something she's not... she'll achieve what she dreams to be, not be a pilot either!!!!! And she's into motorbikes!