**** DONE: Spitfire MkVIII, 136 Squadron RAF, Burma, 1944, Commonwealth GB.

Yippee! I think I've found a suitable, representative serial number!
As I've already explained to Max, I've had a reply from the National Archives, Kew, regarding the Squadron Operational Record Book. It is possible to obtain copies of just the entries for the relevant dates, but I'd need to quote the page numbers. Of course, the only way I can do this, is to physically see the ORB, which means a visit to London. Alternatively, I can buy a copy of the complete ORB, or pay for the search to be done by NA staff.
All indications to date suggest that the elusive information very probably isn't recorded in the ORB anyway, a feeling which is reinforced by the complete lack of info regarding serials in any other publication, profile or reference, apart from those (very few) included in personal accounts by former Squadron personnel. Virtually all references to the Squadron's aircraft for the period in question, only mention individual code letters, and only these are entered in Bob Cross's Log Book, which previous researchers have not had access to.
This in turn suggests that the only other sources, the ORB and Combat Reports, don't have serial numbers listed either, only code letters. (Virtually all cases of photos showing a serial number and code combination are well after the relevant dates, when the aircraft concerned were delivered months later.)
So, being unable to go out tonight due to the f****** arthritis playing up, and with nothing else to do on New Year's eve, it was back to searching through the serials listings of all MkVIII Spitfires produced, and delivered to India, which would fit the dates, and these mainly fell into the 'JF' and 'JG' serial ranges, the majority of which are only shown as delivered to India, between late 1943 and January 1944, with no squadron allocation recorded.
However I was able to establish, by some cross-referencing, that JF833 and JF752 were definitely on Squadron strength at the time, although the latter was lost on February 5th, and the former was coded either 'D' or 'P'.
Likewise, two other machines lost in action in February were JG714, again on 5th, and JW767, on 15th February.
This left one further aircraft confirmed as being on strength of 136 Squadron at the correct time, and this was JF619.
Now there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that this was HM-E, but, unless some hitherto unpublished photographs or film footage emerge, showing this serial number, or showing HM-E with a different serial number, there is also no evidence to suggest that this wasn't the serial number carried !
Unless such photo-evidence comes to light, then it will probably never be known which aircraft had whatever serial, as even the Aircraft Movement Card, AM Form 78, which holds an individual aircraft's 'history', would not normally include the code letter. Although this is a fairly nebulous link, I need to nail this now, and provide an 'identity' for the model.
So, at last, HM-E is now going to have the serial JF619.
Of course, at some time in the future, my decision could lead to all sorts of 'complications', where future authors/artists/ researchers, could stumble on this, and accept it as fact, thereby perpetuating and compounding the innacuracy, if indeed it is inaccurate. But I'm sure that most of us are familiar with such occurances and, having explained the logic behind my decision, I hope you will understand the spirit in which it was made.
And with that, I'm off to look at what appears to be a whole fleet of UFOs in the southern sky - probably airliners stacking for Manchester, but they seem very bright, and many more than usual, especially with night restrictions!
Happy New Year to all, and I sincerely hope I can get to the pub tomorrow!

Have fun Terry, either with the research or the Pub! Think I know which one you would prefer....

I'm sure you're right about the serial number Terry.

Wow Terry, you've been busy on the New Year's eve haven't you..?

Thanks guys, but it's not over yet!!
I've re-checked the information, and found that some of the cross-referenced stuff, which came from a list of losses of squadrons, published in a book by a well-known author, appears to be inaccurate. This is in regards to serial numbers which are not being considered for use on Bob's aircraft, and seems to be a typographical error, as the JW serial range didn't exist, and another is too high a number. I therefore presume it should be JG or JF, but, at least the selected number, JF619, is correct, and it did serve on the Squadron during the period in question, failing to return from ops on 29th April, 1944.
But there's more!
Max has very kindly offered to visit The National Archives this coming week, to have a look at the ORB and possibly any Combat Reports held there, with a view to nailing this once and for all!
Brilliant!
So, until this is established either way, I'll hold-off on applying the serial number decals, and get on with the other bits and pieces. For the sake of a few days, it's well worth the wait!
More updates soon, and thanks again for your continued interest.

from "marcus4hire" second posting..
"Hi everybody. As you can see, this is my 2nd post. The first was used in the 'When did you become interested in warbirds thread.'

Not sure what I will use this place for. Maybe as references for the models I build?? Perhaps to get a review on a book?? Verify an obscure myth/legend?? General historia?? Pretty much all of them!! One stop shopping."

And "marcus4hire" isn't sure what he can use "this place" for, he will learn........
We all become better informed builders by being here.......

Great stuff Terry. Maybe you should order "take-away" from the pub.

Fantastic stuff Terry. Hope your Arthritis improves.

Thanks guys. The swelling around the ankles seems to have subsided, and is now only 'normal' pain, as opposed to 'f**%$* H*ll !' pain, and I can walk a bit. So I will be going to the pub tonight, even if I have to crawl there !

I could see that in my mind. Terry chanting his montra, "Must... reach Pub... " As Terry pulls himself along inch by inch. "Must ... reach... Pub!" ... "Must ... reach... Pub!"

A literal pub crawl.

Well, I almost had to crawl out! The Landlord (ex-Army) wouldn't let me go home - honest! Guess I'll have a sore head in the morning - er, Ok, when I regain conciousness, which will be 'morning' somewhere in the World, but probably not in the UK.
Anyway, it's all Jan's fault, he egged me on .........

A genuine pub crawl.......................but no pain on the way home.....................sleep well me old mate.

That Jan....has a lot to answer for doesn't he!!

He sure does! BTW, what day is it ?!!

Tuesday going on Wednesday..........................OLD chap.....

it might be yesterday going on tomorrow.....

Holy crap...the time machine...

That's OK then, I thought it was February!
Got the SEAC roundel decals today, so I can get those on. I'll have to be careful though, as these are old stock which Hannant's found somewhere, so I'll give them a coat of clear varnish before use.
As far as the model is concerned, I'll get on with the fiddly bits, such as the landing gear and canopy, but hang-fire on the main model, until Max has been to the National Archives at Kew.
Max has also ordered a copy of a 7 minute duration film I discovered, via the IWM, showing the Squadron's MkVIII Spits preparing for an op in February 1944 !
Although HM-E is not identified in the film footage, HM-O and some others are, so we'll wait to see if the footage reveals any other info, as Bob Cross flew 'O' on four ops, although didn't achieve any kills in it.
I'll post some pics of the other bits and pieces soon, and BTW, the pic of the decals shows them still in their polythene bag, hence the streaky and pale appearance!