User name: 5bR6897....Spit Mk 5b ...serial number R6897 and coded DB*Z. Flown by my uncle with 411 RCAF.
Written off in Jan 43 mid air with Spit AB847 killing my uncle...P.O. Gilbert Frederick Brown/Toronto, Ont.
I would also appreciate any additional info that anyone might have on his incident or my uncle
R6897
855th Spitfire a/c manufactured under Contract No B19713/39 to Supermarine Aviation (Vickers) Ltd, contract order built as Mk 1a and Mk Va/Vb aircraft between April 1940 and April 1941.
Contract price of R6897 - £4,250.00
Fitted from the outset with de Havilland 3-bladed, 2-speed propeller (from K9961 onwards). Serial allocation in the 'R' series halted at R7022 in July 1940 from which point the X series commenced. 'R' series then re-commenced from R7023 to R7350 from January to April 1941.
First flight - 05Jul40. Moved to 6MU 07Jul40 for the ill-fated cannon wing fit with 19 Sqn. On 11Jul40 it suffered a flying accident category B, on 26Aug40 it was repaired at 1CRU (Contractors Civilian Repair Unit) at Rolls-Royce Hucknall.
On 11Jan41, it was converted to F.Vb status incorporating the M45 Merlin. Moved to Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) Duxford 23Feb41. Whilst with 92 Sqn 03Mar41 it suffered engine failure and crash-landed.
On 19Mar41 it was moved to Air Service Training with 234 Sqn.
On 14Sep41, another flying accident category B.
On 19Nov41 at Air Service Training Exeter 310 Sqn.
On 20Jun42 at 332 Sqn.
On 03Aug42 P&PSM.
On 19Aug42 modifications installed/applied at 411 Sqn.
On 20Nov42 it suffered an air collision with AB847 at Alby, Lincolnshire.
On 28Jan43 it was struck off charge.
Your stated accident date seems to correspond more closely with the SOC date, than the date of the actual accident - is this possibly what you meant?
Sorry, I've got no idea what P&PSM stands for, the whole thing also reads a bit stilted, Morgan Shacklady had a lot to pack in to one volume!
Source
SPITFIRE The History
Eric B Morgan and Edward Shacklady
Page 86 Mark 1 serials