Colin Gray joined the RAF in 1938 and served in the Battle of Britain, Tunisia, Sicily and finally once again in the UK. His final tally stood at 27 destroyed, 2 shared destroyed, 6 probables, 4 shared probables, and 12 damaged. He was New Zealand’s most successful fighter pilot...this is the Spitfire he flew in Tunisia a Mk IX (thanks Mark)
Another Colin Gray Spitfire - this time the Griffon powered Mark XIV as flown with the Lympne Wing, September 1944
Al Deere's career record was 22 enemy aircraft down, 10 probable, 10 damaged. He was New Zealand’s second-ranking ace after Colin Gray.
Brendon Deere (Al Deere's nephew) restored to flying condition a Mk IX Spitfire and painted it in Al Deere's colours with the original serial number. This repaint represnts this Spitfire (thanks Mark again)
No 485 Squadron - NZ's Spitfire squadron
Formed 1 March 1941 - Driffield, Yorkshire. Equipped with Spitfires, No 485 was a day fighter squadron until March 1944 when it transferred to fighter bombing. Operated from England, based at some of the most famous fighter stations, until August 1944 when it moved to the Continent. There it flew in the fighter and fighter bomber role with Second Tactical Air Force.
Squadron Motto
Ka whawhai tonu (We will fight on)
First & Last Operations
12 April 1941 Convoy patrol off Flamborough Head shared by six sections of two Spitfires.
7 May 1945 Patrol over Oldenburg by twelve aircraft.
Effort & Achievements
No 485 Squadron flew 10,717 sorties totalling 14,494 hours. In combat 63 enemy aircraft were destroyed, 25 probably destroyed and 32 damaged. During the short period that the squadron was employed against ground targets pilots destroyed some 70 motor vehicles and blew up 5 railway engines.
Decorations won by New Zealanders with the squadron were:
Distinguished Service Order (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (17)
Bar to DFC (6)
Distinguished Flying Medal (1)
This Spitfire lives on in the Netherlands and is flying in Dutch colours.
