611 Squadron was formed on 10th February 1936 at Hendon as a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force and moved to Speke on 6th May to begin recruiting personnel from Merseyside. Its first Harts arrived in June and were replaced by Hinds in April 1938. On 1st January 1939, the squadron became a fighter unit, receiving Spitfires in May. After a period of defensive duties on the east coast, it became active in May 1940 over Dunkirk and was based in Lincolnshire during the Battle of Britain.
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Spitfire Mk 1A's of 611 Squadron on dispersal area 1940 |
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611 Squadron Codes: Back to Top
(April 1939 - September 1939)
(September 1939 - June 1942)
Note: Aircraft recognition codes were changed from 3rd September 1939 as a measure against German intelligence. |
| Base |
County |
Arrived |
Comments |
Duxford |
Cambridgeshire |
03/09/39 |
Spitfire I |
| Digby |
Lincolnshire |
10/10/39 |
Spitfire IIa |
| Rochford |
Essex |
13/12/40 |
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| Hornchurch |
Essex |
27/01/41 |
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| Rochford |
Essex |
20/05/41 |
Spitfire Vb |
| Hornchurch |
Essex |
14/06/41 |
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| Drem |
East Lothian |
12/11/41 |
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| Kenley |
Surrey |
03/06/42 |
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| Redhill |
Surrey |
20/07/42 |
Spitfire IX |
| Kenley |
Surrey |
14/08/42 |
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| Redhill |
Surrey |
20/08/42 |
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| Biggin Hill |
Kent |
23/09/42 |
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| Matlaske |
Norfolk |
01/07/43 |
Spitfire LFVb |
| Ludham |
Norfolk |
31/07/43 |
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| Coltishall |
Norfolk |
04/08/43 |
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| Rochford |
Essex |
06/09/43 |
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| Coltishall |
Norfolk |
13/09/43 |
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| Ayr |
Ayrshire |
08/02/44 |
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| Coltishall |
Norfolk |
19/02/44 |
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| Deanland |
Sussex |
30/04/44 |
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| Harrowbeer |
Devon |
24/06/44 |
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| Predannack |
Cornwall |
03/07/44 |
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| Bolt Head |
Devon |
17/07/44 |
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| Bradwell Bay |
Essex |
30/08/44 |
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| Skeabrae |
Orkney |
03/10/44 |
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| Hawkinge |
Kent |
31/12/44 |
Mustang IV |
| Hunsdon |
Hertfordshire |
03/03/45 |
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| Peterhead |
Aberdeenshire |
07/05/45 |
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| Disbanded |
|
15/08/45 |
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| A |
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Allison, J.W. |
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Angus, R.A. |
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| B |
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Burt, A.D. |
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| C |
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Carter, C.A.W. |
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Checketts, J.M. |
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Crawford-Compton |
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| D |
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Darling, A.S. |
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| F |
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Freese, L.E. |
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| G |
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Gadd, J. |
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| H |
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Hay, B.D.E. |
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Healey, T.W.R. |
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Heath, B. |
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| J |
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| K |
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Kelsey, E.N. |
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| L |
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Leather, W.J. |
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Levenson, S.A. |
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| M |
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MacFie, C.H. |
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Maxwell, D.A. |
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O |
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Oliver, P. |
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O'Niell, D.H. |
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| P |
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Parker, L.R. |
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Partridge, B. |
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Pattison, K.C. |
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Plant, R.E. |
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Pollard, P.S.C. |
| S |
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Sadler, H.S. |
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Scott-Maldon, F.D.S. |
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Shepherd, F.E.R. |
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Stoddart, K.M. |
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Sutton, N. |
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Sutton, J.R.G. |
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W |
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Walker, J.R. |
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Watkins, D.H. |
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Williams, T.D. |
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Winskill, A.L. |
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Type 300 - "Spitfire" Mark I
This was basically the same airframe as the prototype allowing for changes to facilitate a production line. The all up weight was increased to 5,720 lb, and a 998 HP Merlin II (later 953 HP Merlin 3) fitted. The airscrew was initially 2-blade fixed pitch, but was soon changed to a 2-pitch 3-blade design from either De Havilland or Rotol. Armament was eight 0.303 Browning machine guns. Terminology will change frequently through these descriptions, as it did originally, and one of these changes involved the Mk 1b Spitfire. The (b) suffix usually denotes a particular wing variant, but since there was only one wing type in this Mark, it refers to a limited number of airframes armed with 20 mm cannon. |
These had a tendency to jam and were not popular with aircrews. On 3rd September 1939, 306 Spitfires had been delivered to the RAF. Altogether 1,569 Mk I Spitfires were produced. The first production Mk Is reached 19 Squadron RAF at Duxford in August 1938. |
Type 329 - "Spitfire" Mark II
The major change from the Mark I was the use of the 1,050 HP Merlin XII with higher supercharger gearing and a Coffman cartridge starter, enabling a level airspeed of 354 mph (570 kph) to be achieved. Fitted with a Rotol contant-speed 3-blade propeller. 921 were produced. The first Mark IIs were delivered to 611 Squadron in August 1940. |
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Type 349 - "Spitfire" Mark Vb
With the arrival of the Me (Bf)109F an interim aircraft was produced by adding the latest Merlin to a strengthened airframe. They were powered by a 1,230 HP Merlin 45 or 46, with a maximum all-up weight of 6,170 lb. 3 patterns of wing were introduced:
- A - eight 0.303 Browning machine guns
- B - two 20mm cannon, and four Browning machine guns
- C - either four cannon or either of the other combinations.
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Mustang III/IV
One of the few remaining complaints with the Merlin-powered aircraft was a poor rearward view. This was a common problem in most fighter designs of the era, which had only been recognized by the British after the Battle of Britain proved the value of an all-around view. In order to improve the view from the Mustang at least partially, the British had field-modified some Mustangs with fishbowl-shaped canopies called "Malcolm Hoods." Eventually all Mk IIIs, along with some American P-51B/Cs, were equipped with Malcolm Hoods. |
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