RNZAF No 485 Squadron

RNZAF No 485 Squadron Spitfire photographs

Spitfire LFIXe RNZAF 485Sqn OUD Max Collett MH432 England 01

Spitfire LFIX RNZAF 485Sqn OUD NH432 was later destroyed in air raid 1st Jan 1945 01

Spitfire MkIXc RNZAF 485Sqn OUV Johnnie Houlton ML407 Merville France Sep 1944 0A

Spitfire MkIX RNZAF 485Sqn OUF force landed France 01

Spitfire MkIX RNZAF 485Sqn OUQ force landed Merville France 5th Apr 1945 01

Spitfire MkIX RNZAF 485Sqn OUV Johnnie Houlton ML407 Selsey 1944 01

Spitfire MkVb RNZAF 485Sqn OUZ AB870 England Aug 1941 01

Spitfire MkV RNZAF 485Sqn ONZ Redhill 1942 01

Spitfires LFIX RNZAF 485Sqn OU at RAF Station 112 England 30th Mar 1944 01

Spitfire Vb RNZAF 485Sqn OU-Z AB870 England Aug 1941

Spitfire Database: Spitfire Vb 8MU 2-8-41 485S OU-Z 7-8-41 HAL 3-10-41 72S 18-11-41 308S 24-8-42 VASM 25-6-43 fuel syst and elev mods MkIII IFF 349S 25-12-43 eng fire aircraft abandoned crashed Battle Sussex CE 30-1-44

Spitfire MkVb RAF 485Sqn OUR W3774 PO William V Crawford-Compton RAF Kenley Nov 1941 to Mar 1942 profile by Eduard 0A

Info Eduard: One of the RAF’s most successful pilots was New Zealander William Vernon Crawford-Compton. He joined the RAF in 1939 as a mechanic, and was subsequently accepted for flight training, which he completed in 1940. After spells with Nos. 485 and 611 Sqn. he took command of No. 64 Sqn. in late 1942 and led it until the end of March the following year. After a period of staff duties, he became Commander of Hornchurch Fighter Wing in mid-1943 and led it until the end of the year. After his tour of operations, he lectured for three months in the United States on RAF operations. He returned to active service as commander of No. 145 Wing. After the war he held senior posts in the RAF, retiring as Air vice-marshal at the end of 1968. He died in January 1988 at the age of 72. He achieved 22 kills, four probable and he also damaged a further 13 aircraft. The Spitfire W3774 was his first personal aircraft, and he achieved four kills flying it. It had a drawing of a burning swastika on the left side under the cockpit and a pan with Hitler’s head above it. The left side of the tank cover was decorated with the inscription Auckland 1 “Waiuku”. On the right side under the cockpit was a Samson donation sign. W3774 was given a new livery effective August 16, 1941. Photographs show the use of a very dark shade of mixed grey (probably Extra Dark Sea Grey) in place of the original Dark Earth, the Sky band was repainted with a new shade of Medium Sea Grey on the lower surfaces.