FLY BRUKT AV DET NORSKE LUFTFORSVARET

FLY BRUKT AV DET NORSKE LUFTFORSVARET HEFTE NR. 1 Spitfire LF Mk. IXe Olve Dybvig

Innhold Innledning 3 Spitfire i Norge 4 Farger - Merking - Koder 7 331 skvadron 17 332 skvadron 19 Liste over fly 20 Bilder 30 Profiler 55 Teknisk informasjon 58 Kilder 61 Vedlegg 62 - Rundskriv LTE 3 februar 1948 Merkingsbestemmelser for Luftforsvarets fly - TO nr 83 LTE 8 oktober 1948 Merking av nødutganger luker og utløsningsanord ninger Forsidebilde: 331 skvadronens Spitfire Mk. IX over Bunnefjorden på slutten av 40 årene 2

Innledning Dette hefte er laget med tanke på modellbyggere og andre med historisk interesse om temaet. Hovedvekten av innholdet er farger og merking av flyet. I tillegg er relevant historisk informasjon forsøkt samlet. Heftet er ikke laget for videresalg men for gratis nedlastning via internett. På denne måten kan ny informasjon raskt legges inn og en oppdatering kan være klar for brukerne på en enkel måte. Innholdet er ikke nødvendis 100% riktig, men inneholder det vi vet i dag. Det oppfordres derfor til å komme med innspill, kommentarer, kritikk, nye bilder m.m. slik at historien blir mest mulig korrekt Et slikt hefte er som oftest et sammarbeid mellom entusiaster, som på hver sin side har samlet bilder og informasjon om temaet. Jeg vil derfor takke følgende personer for deres bidrag til at dette hefte var mulig å lage: Bjørn Hafsten Per Einar Jansen Per-Jarle Sogn Nils Mathisrud Bengt Stangvik Historie og bilder Bilder Bilder Historie, informasjon og nødvendig korrekturlesing Bilder, profiler og info Bergen mars 2007 Olve Dybvig odybvig@online.no 3

Spitfire i Norge 331 Squadron og 332 Squadron kommer hjem til Norge i samlet formasjon 22 mai 1945 Maleri av Mark Postlethwaite Spitfire til Norge De norske pilotene i RAF No 331 Squadron og RAF No 332 Squadron ble avløst den 22 april 1945 på flyplassen B 106 ved Twente i Nederland nær grensen til Tyskland. De overlot flyene og annet materiell til to andre skvadroner. 24 april reiste personellet til North Weald i England. Krigshandlinger på kontinentet var over for de norske pilotene og bakkemannskapet. Det hersket tvil om de tyske styrkene som var stasjonert i Norge ville gi seg uten kamp ved en eventuell kapitulasjon på kontinentet. Derfor forberedte 331 Sqn og 332 Sqn seg på operasjoner over Norge. Avdelingene fikk nyoverhalte Spitfire Mk IXe for denne oppgaven. Det ble opprettet et eget alliert ekspedisjonskorps som skulle settes inn i Norge. De flystyrker som inngikk ble samlet i No. 88 Group (Fighter Command), etablert i Edinburgh den 10 april 1945. De tyske styrker i Norge kapitulerte 9 mai 1945 i ordnete former og nordmennene kunne forberede seg til en fredelig overføring hjem. I påvente av dette ble de overført til Dyce i Skottland. Overføringen skjedde den 22 mai 1945 fra Dyce, via Sola til Gardermoen. Vel fremme ble de 36 Spitfire flyene mottatt av HKH Kronprins Olav. Den første tiden hjemme I den første tiden etter hjemkomsten var avdelingene underlagt RAF kommando. Tjenesten for Spitfire pilotene besto hovedsaklig av eskorte for VIP transporter, oppvisninger og beredskapsflygning. Den 21 november 1945 trakk No. 88 Group seg ut av Norge og dermed ble 331 Skvadron og 332 Skvadron formelt innlemmet i Det Norske Luftforsvar Under Norsk kommando Etter overtagelsen ble Spitfire skvadronene mer eller mindre nedlagt med en gang. Personellet ble dimmittert over en lav sko og man hadde ikke mulighet til å drive noe aktiv flyvning. Begge jagerflyskvadronene gikk inn i en dvale Det Luftforsvaret som kom til Norge sommeren 1945, var knapt et Luftforsvar i mer enn navnet. De norskbemannede avdelingene hadde under krigen operert som integrerte elementer i RAF og var ikke utviklet som en enhetlig styrke som kunne drive autonome operasjoner. Man kan si at det var fragmenter av et luftvåpen som kom hjem i 1945. Den massive demobilisering gjorde ikke saken bedre. Krigsveteraner med lav formell 4

offisersutdanning hadde problemer med å få stillinger tilsvarende det de hadde hatt i England. Veteraner med flyerfaring eller teknisk kompetanse var etterspurt i det sivile markedet. For å bygge opp igjen Luftforsvaret utarbeidet forsvarsdepartementet treårsplanen 1946-49. Planen var å ha tre Spitfire skvadroner, men endte opp med to. Da mannskaps- og utstyrsmangelen bedret seg i 1947 og 1948 ble det blåst liv igjen i jagerflyskvadronene. 331 og 332 skvadron var oppsatt med Spitfire IX til flyene ble faset ut i 1952 mens fotovingen beholdt sine Spitfire XI til 1954. Jetalderen var allerede kommet til Norge Engangsanskaffelsen I juni 1945 ble det fra norsk side initiert forhandlinger med britenes Air Ministry for å sikre rimelig materiellhjelp til oppbygging av et selvstendig norsk flyvåpen. For jagerfly ønsket man å anskaffe 78 Spitfire Mk. IX (inkludert de 36 som kom til landet 22 mai) og 8 Spitfire Mk. V. Senere ble ønsket om Spitfire Mk. V droppet og man anskaffet 3 stk Spitfire PR XI fotorekognoseringsfly istedet. De tidlige planer var å ha en skvadron Spitfire på Gardermoen, en skvadron på Værnes og en skvadron på Bardufoss. På grunn av mannskapsmangel ble planene om en skvadron på Bardufoss ikke realisert. Dermed sank behovet for antall Spitfire fra 78 til 68. 31 Spitfire ble hentet fra England og 1 ble overtatt i Norge. Denne ene var en maskin som den engelske 165 Sqn lot være igjen da de forlot landet i november. I tillegg til de allerede eksisterende 36 fly i 331 og 332 Skvadron ble det altså foretatt totalt 32 nyanskaffelser.. I en rapport fra 24.6.1947 slås følgende fast: 31 Spitfire LF IXe (commitment 321) 6 allerede levert 6 for leveranse i juni 1947 6 for leveranse i august 1947 6 for leveranse i oktober 1947 7 for leveranse i januar 1948 3 Spitfire PR IX (commitment 326) 2 for levering i juni 1947 Line up av 331 skvadron og 332 skvadron på Værnes 1952 5

1 for levering i august 1947 30.5.1948 Av de 31 leverte Spitfire, hadde 14 stykker ikke bombefeste under vingene. 6.3.1948 Flyene fra A-AC til A-CO og A-ZA til A-ZC står lagret på Gardermoen uten merking I rapporter fra Kjeller står følgende leveringsmengde fra England slik ut: Mai 1947: Juni 1947: Juli 1947: Aug. 1947: Sept 1947: Okt/nov 1947: Mai 1948: Sept 1948: 6 Spitfire IX 3 Spitfire IX 1 Spitfire IX 2 Spitfire IX 3 Spitfire XI 4 Spitfire IX 7 Spitfire IX 6 Spitfire IX 1 Spitfire IX Bortsett fra 3 fly som kom til Norge i november 1947 er serienumre på ankomne fly ikke gitt Fordeling av fly den 20.5.1949 331 Skv. Gardermoen: 13 Spitfire IX 1 Spifire XI Lagret på Gardermoen: 2 Spitfire IX 2 Spitfire XI Lagret på Kjevik: 8 Spitfire IX Lagret på Værnes: 16 Spitfire IX 332 Skv. Værnes: 12 Spitfire IX 332 skv. Bardufoss: 3 Spitfire IX Totalt 57 Spitfire IX Fordeling av fly den 30.6.1950 Lagret på Kjevik: 5 Spitfire IX Lagret på Værnes: 14 Spitfire IX 331 skv. Værnes: 12 Spitfire IX 332 skv. Bardufoss: 8 Spitfire IX Lagret på Gardermoen: 1 Spitfire IX Reparasjon Kjeller: 4 Spitfire IX Totalt 44 Spitfire IX Line up av 331 skvadron og 332 skvadron på Værnes 1952 6

Farger - Merker - Koder Spitfire IX FN-C,PT 934 på Kjevik i 1946. Standard RAF Kamuflasje Farger Da Spitfireflyene ankom Norge i 1945, var de malt i standard 1942 Day Fighter Scheme med fargene Ocean Grey og Dark Green på oversiden. Undersiden var malt Medium Sea Grey. Spinneren og båndet rundt flykroppen var malt i fargen Sky. I tillegg var forkanten av vingene malt gule. Da de nye norske kodene ble innført i august 1946 ble all tidligere RAF standarder fjernet og flyene ble etterhvert malt i de nye norske fargene; Grønn og Grå på oversiden og med fargen Lys Grå på undersiden. Mønsteret fulgte stort sett det gamle RAF skjemaet som flyene hadde fra før, men en del frihånds- variasjoner kan sees. Den nye fargen Grønn er en smule grønnere enn den britiske Dark Green og fargen Grå er en tanke lysere enn Ocean Grey. Vedlagte bilder gir et inntrykk av dette. Fargen Lys Grå til bruk under flyet er sannsynligvis lysere en fargen Grå. Nasjonalitetsmerker Ved ankomsten til Norge var alle fly merket med standard britiske RAF rundeller: 56 diameter C rundell oppå vingen, 36 diameter C1 rundell på flykroppen og 32 diameter C rundell under vingen Da Luftforsvaret overtok flyene i november 1945 ble de nye norske nasjonalitetsmerkene (som ble valgt etter en konkurranse) malt direkte oppå de britiske. En del variasjon på størrelsen forekom tydeligvis da noen er like store som de originale RAF rundeller mens noen er mindre og de gamle er overmalt. På oversiden av vingene malte 331 skvadron 56 rundeller oppå de britiske (like store) mens 332 skvadron malte 36 rundeller over og dekket resten til med kamuflasjemaling. Denne endringen skjedde offisielt 1. desember 1945 og alle tidligere RAF merker og flaggstriper ble forbudt. Mht til flaggstriper ble dette forbudet ikke alltid fulgt. 7

Spitfire Mk.IX og PR XI til overhaling på Kjeller. Det viste seg at rundellens blå ring var dårlig synlig på mørk bakgrunn. For å bedre dette ble diameter for flykroppen og 900mm for vingene (både over og under). I tillegg skulle det være en 50mm hvit ring utenfor den blå fargen. Noe som gir en 700mm bred total ring. Koder Britisk C1 Rundell Norsk 600mm rundell det innført en bestemmelse om at det skulle være en hvit ring utenpå den blå. Dette gjaldt på mørk bakgrunn. Men ble også tydeligvis malt på lys bakgrunn (undersiden) av flere. En tidlig standard var å male den hvite ringen like bred som den blå på flykroppen, mens på vingene ble den halvparten av den blå sin bredde. En del variasjoner kan likevel sees I 1947-48 ble størrelsen på de norske rundellene standardisert. Rundellen skulle være 600 mm i 331 og 332 skvadronen brukte standard RAF koder fram til august 1946. Kode FN for 331 skvadron og AH for 332 skvadron. Bokstavene var 24 (609mm) høye og malt i fargen Sky. Det kan se ut som om 331 hadde koder som var litt mindre, dvs 22 (558mm). Flyets individuelle bokstav var også malt under på neseseksjonen, rett under spinner 15.8.1946 ble en ny merking innført. Avdelings koden ble byttet ut med en bokstav. Hver flytype fikk hver sin bokstav. Spitfire fikk tildelt bokstaven A mens f.eks Vampire fikk bokstaven B. Denne bokstaven ble etterfulgt av to bokstaver som skulle identifisere hvert fly. Det første flyet skulle ha koden AB, så AC, AD til AZ (AA ble ikke brukt). Neste bokstav kombinasjon var BA - BZ osv. Bokstavene skulle være 500 mm høye og hadde en relativ tykk font i hvit farge. Bokstavene J,Q,Æ,Ø og Å ble ikke brukt. En kode var unikt 8

for hvert fly og ble ikke brukt flere ganger. Flytypens bokstaven være til venstre for rundellen på begge sider av flykroppen, mens det individuelle bokstavparet skulle være til høyre. Hele merkingen, kode og rundell, skulle plasseres rett overfor hverandre på hver side av flykroppen. Dette medførte at selve rundellene ble plassert asymmetrisk på hver side av flykroppen. Det individuelle bokstavparet, ble ofte gjentatt under på neseseksjon i mindre størrelse. Denne type merking var lite populært da man mistet avdelingstilhørigheten på flyene. Etter mye press ble kodingen endret i januar 1951. I tillegg ble alle flyene malt opp på nytt. Man gikk tilbake til den tidligere måten med å ha tobokstavskode for hver avdeling. 331 fikk tilbake FN og 332 fikk tilbake AH. Denne gangen ble avdelings koden plassert bak rundellen mens flyets indivudielle bokstav ble plassert først. Dermed ble plasseringen av rundellen symetrisk igjen. Bokstavene skulle være 600mm høye og hvite. I tillegg ble flyets individuelle bokstav malt foran under nesen Nr. 1 Fotorekognoseringsving beholdt A kode systemet fra 1946. Dette pga at den ikke ble definert som 1. linje avdeling.de tre flyene fikk kodene A-ZA, A-ZB og A-ZC for sine tre fly. Standard RAF merking for 331 Suadron Norsk merking etter 1. desember 1945 Serienummer Standard RAF serienummerpraksis ble brukt fram til august 1946. Serienummeret var plassert bak på flykroppen i høyde med det skyfargete båndet. Tallene var 8 høye og hadde svart farge. På mange av flyene var serienummeret også malt på undersiden av vingene. På langvingete fly var størrlsen 24, mens på kortvingete fly var de 12. Etter reglene fra august 1946 skulle serienummeret males på halefinnen og på flykroppen foran cockpiten. De skulle være 100mm høye og ha fargen svart. Serienummer under vingene forsvant. Med de nye reglene fra januar 51 ble serienummeret igjen plassert på flykroppen som på den tidligere måten. Denne gangen med en høyde på 200mm og i svart farge Norsk merking etter 15 august 1946 Flaggstriper Før flyene reiste hjem i mai 1945 ble alle flyene påmalt en flaggstripe på spinneren og på sideroret. På spinneren ser det ut som alle feltene er like brede, men en viss variasjon kan sees. Den forsvant mer eller mindre med de nye reglene av aug 46. I løpet av den første perioden i Norge erstattet 331 skvadron flaggbåndet på sideroret med et Norsk merking etter januar 1951 9

flaggbånd som var malt over det Sky fargete RAF båndet, dog noe bredere (som var 18 (457mm bredt). Mens 332 skvadron malte en flaggstripe på halefinnen og fjernet det på sideroret. Alle flaggbånd ble derimot forbudt etter reglene fra 15.8.1946 Spesielle koder Noen fly hadde pilotens initialer istedet for avdelingskode etter tidligere RAF tradisjon. Kjente spesielle koder for Spitfire: Serienr Kjennetegn Flyger PT536 JR Jon Rygh HM Helge Mehre I tillegg L-TS = Luftforsvarets Tekniske Skole Et bilde som viser 332 skvadron sine mindre rundeller enn de originale britiske oppå vingen. Resten er overmalt 332 skvadron på Gardermoen mai/juni 1945. Standard RAF utseende med norsk flaggbånd. Spitfire Mk.IX AH-S, NH550 i forkant ble brukt helt frem til utrangering i 1952. Fikk senere kodene A-BO og AH-Z 10

Standard plassering av 32 rundell under vingen. Samme plassering for norske rundeller Ved bruk av serienummer av 24 størrelse ble rundellen plassert helt på tuppen for å få plass til den. Ikke alle fly hadde serienummer under vingene, så noe variasjon kan sees På kortvingete fly ble eventuelle serienummer malt i 12 størrelse for i det hele tatt å få plass til rundellen 11

To bilder som viser store serienummer under vingene og den norske rundellens plassering 12

Standard 1942 RAF Day Fighter Scheme med fargene Ocean Grey og Dark Green på oversiden. Undersiden var malt Medium Sea Grey. 13

Omtrentlig mønster med norske farger. En del variasjoner sees på forskjellige fly 14

Spitfire Mk.IX på Gardermoen sommeren 1945. 331 skvadron sin flaggstripe rundt skroget. FN-L ble overtatt av Luftforsvaret 21.11.1945 og fikk senere koden A-AI Spitfire Mk.IX AH-S fra 1946. 332 skvadron sin flaggstripe på halen. Norske rundeller overmalt de tidligere RAF rundellene 15

Spitfire Mk.IX A-AR (tidligere FN-X) 331 skv. på Gardermoen. Merking etter standard fra 15.8.1946. Noen fly med hvit ring rundt rundellen noen uten. Ble ikke standard før 1947-48. Serienummer på hale. Spitfire Mk.IX FN-T (tidligere A-BH). Merking etter standard fra januar 1951. Standard rundell med 50mm hvit ring Serienummer på flykropp bak 16

331 Skvadron 331 skvadron på Værnes 1951. FN-D, FN-J og FN-T på line Etter å ha blitt stasjonert på Gardermoen ved hjem- komsten til Norge den 22. mai 1945, fortsatte 331 skvadron som en avdeling av RAF fram til den 21 november 1945. Da kom den offesielle overgang til Luftforsvaret. Virksomheten fortsatte med Gardermoen som base. Et større antall mannskaper ble etter hvert dimittert fra luftforsvaret, og det medførte et relativt stort overskudd på flymateriell og lite grunnlag for å holde operative jagerskvadroner igang. Det ble derfor bestemt att 331 skvadron midlertidig skulle nedlegges og materiellet overføres il Feltflyvingen, eller Feltflyskolen. Denne var en avdeling som skulle vider- utdanne flygere fra Flygeskolen til operative jagerflygere. Den 22. november 1945 var nedleggelsen et faktum, og 331 skvadron var i dvale fram til 27. mars 1947. Da ble den gjenopprettet, ble Feltflyskolen ble nedlagt og 331 skvadron begynte å virke som Operational Training Unit (OTU) skvadron. De første nyutdannete piloter etter krigen begynte å dukke opp. A vingen hadde base på Gardermoen mens B vingen med tre fly flyttet til Kjevik I 1948 gikk Norge inn i jetalderen, Da mottok vi de første jetjagerne, idet 12 de Havilland Vampire F,Mk. III ankom i periden mai samme år til januar året etter. 331 skvadron fikk først prøve disse flyene. Skvadronen ble delt i en Spitfire-ving og en Vampire-ving. Etter ca et år (1 juli 1949) ble Vampire.vingen (også kalt C-vingen)skilt ut for å danne 336 skvadron. 331 skvadron deltok på mange store øvelser dette året. I oktober 1949 ble 331 og dens Spitfires flyttet fra Gardermoen til Værnes. Fra 21. oktober 1949 var avdelingen operativ på Værnes Fortsatt ble 331 benyttet som overgangs- skvadron for nye flygere inntil de kom over på jetfly. Skvadronen hadde derfor flere Harvard fly til denne oppgaven. Luftforsvarets 336 og 337 skvadron opererte nå Vampire fly. 1950 medførte mye skyte og bombeøvelser på Tautra og skvadronen dro på tur til Østersund i Sverige. I mai 1950 hadde avdelingen 13 Spitfire, to Harvard og to Fairchild til disposisjon 331 skvadrons eget flymateriell begynte å dra på årene. Spitfirene var langt fra moderne lenger, og flere ble satt på bakken etterhvert som annet materiell kunne overta. Flyging med Spitfire ble mer 17

og mer nedtrappet, og i 1951 sto typen for endelig utrangering i Flyvåpenet. I forbindelse med dette ble det bestemt at skvadronen skulle nedlegges midlertidig den 20 november 1951. Avdelingen ble gjenoprettet 15 juli 1952, og ble nå satt opp med F-84G jetfly Skvadronsjefer: Major Nils A. Ringdal 03.03.45 31.07.45 Major Reidar Isachsen 01.08.45 01.01.46 Major John Ryg 01.01.46 20.10.48 Major Olav Ullestad 20.10.48 01.12.51 331 Skvadronens FN-K (PT 882) på Gardermoen våren/sommeren 1946 18

332 Skvadron Spitfire LF Mk.IX AH-Y, PT529 på Bardufoss 1952 332 skvadron etablerte seg på Gardermoen sammens med de andre norske avdelingene i No 128 Wing i maidagene 1945. Avdelingen ble i juni flyttet til Værnes der de byttet plass med den britiske No 129 Squadron. Utover høsten ble de fleste av mannskapet dimmitert og 1 januar 1946 ble avdelingen nedlagt. Den 12 april 1948 ble 332, som et ledd i Luftforsvarets 3 årsplan, igjen aktivisert på Værnes. En stor del av personellet ble tilbeordret fra sivile stillinger, nærmest på repitisjonsøvelsesbasis. Planen var å overføre 332 skvadron til Bardufoss, men det ble stadig utsatt. Avdelingens B-ving ble detasjert dit fra den 20 juni 1948 og ut på høsten samme år. Peride på Værnes bar preg av stor aktivitet og deltagelse i en rekke større og mindre militærøvelser. Spesielt i samarbeid med Marinen. Flyparken var nå ganske nedslitt og stadig tekniske problemer førte til avbrekk i flygingen. Da 331 skvadron ble overført til Værnes i oktober 1949 og overtok rollen som OTU, ble 332 skvadron midlertidig nedlagt. Året etter ble var 332 skvadron på vingene igjen. Nå fra Bardufoss som den første av Luftforsvarets skvadroner med fast stasjon i vår nordligste landsdel. En ny periode med mye flyging fulgte, men samarbeidspartner var nå byttet til Hæren. Det var nå klart at Spitfire var ikke lenger brukbar som jagerfly. Flyene ble avskrevet bare ved det minste lille tekniske problem. 332 skvadron ble så igjen nedlagt den 1 juli 1952. 23 februar 1953 var avdelingen på vingene igjen. Denne gangen med F-84G på Gardermoen Skvadronsjefer: Major Ola G. Aanjesen 03.04.45-06.10.45 Major Eivind Tjensvoll 12.04.48-01.11.49 Major Martin Gran 01.11.49-10.01.51 Major Eivind Tjensvoll 10.01.51-01.07.52 19

Individual aircraft histories (Made by Bjørn Hafsten) The list is arranged according to the aircraft serial number. Identification letters in brackets indicate that the letters were issued but never used. Serial numbers marked with an * indicate that this aircraft served with one of the two Norwegian squadrons 331 or 332 earlier during WW II. RAF Ser.No. Taken over in UK or Norway Identification letters 1945-46 Identification letters 1946-51 Identification letters 1951-54 Written off Aircraft movements and accidents JL361 07.08.47 A-CD FN-D AH-D Originally a Spitfire Mk.Vc converted to LF IX in April 1943. From storage to 331 skv. in July 1948. Returned to storage in January 1952. To 332 skv. in May 1952. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes i July 1952. Total airframe hours 554:40. MH350..45 AH-V A-BM FN-M From storage to 331 skv. in December 1950. Minor accident during taxiing 05.02.51. WFU from 331 skv. for storage in December 1951. Total airframe hours 168:20. MJ217* 19.07.45 FN-B A-AT Ex. No. 165 Sq. RAF. To No. 128 Wing and 331 Sq. 19.07.45. Accident 01.07.48 at Gardermoen. Engine problems during gun practice caused the plane to make a forced landing. No damage to plane or pilot, ltn. Harby. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. Accident 03.07.48 at Fornebu airfield when making a forced landing due to engine problems. Major accident 30.09.49 at Gardermoen. During take-off for a navigational training flight, the egnine lost power. The pilot, sgt. Per Holter-Sørensen, did not manage to stop before the end of the runway and the aircraft passed the end of runway 29 and was turned over on its back. The pilot escaped unhurt. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. Total airframe hours 458:30. MJ409 10.09.48 A-CW 09.02.50 Delivery from UK delayed due to engine change. From storage to 332 skv. in May 1949. Major accident 05.12.49 at Bardufoss. Due to malfunction in the hydraulic system, major Martin Gran had to land A-CW without the use of flaps or brakes. High landing speed caused the undercarriage to collapse and the plane crashed. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. and was later used for spares. MJ418 26.06.47 A-BY 29.08.51 From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. Major accident 30.08.50 at Værnes. Ltn. Frithjof Torkehagen was taxiing up to hangar 3 at Værnes airfield having returned from Bardufoss with six other Spitfires, when his left wing hit a truck parked close to the runway. The plane turned left and the left main undercarriage broke. Pilot and plane belonged to 332 skv. MJ471 30.04.45 FN-V A-AP FN-B Minor accident at Gardermoen 14.08.45. During taxiing the plane hit a small hole in the taxiway. Pilot: C. Christensen. Aircraft belonged to 331 Sq. Accident 17.08.47 at Værnes airfield. When landing at Værnes, one of the main tyres punctured causing the aircraft to swing off the runway and on to the grass where it nosed over. The pilot, captain E. Tjensvoll, was unhurt. The aircraft, that belonged to 331 skv., had logged a total of 434:30 at the time of the accident. Minor accident 05.05.48 at Værnes airfield. The pilot, fenrik K. Aagaard, tried to make a wheels up landing but discovered the mistake in the last second before touchdown. He managed to gain some height and got the wheels properly down. The only damage was to the propellar. From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. From 332 skv. to storage in September 1949. From storage to 331 skv. in April 1951. WFU from 331 skv. for storage in January 1952. Total airframe hours 576:10. MJ633*.05.47 A-BR 30.09.49 Written off and used for spares. Not in squadron service. Total airframe hours 315:55. MJ792 09.05.47 A-BS FN-E AH-F Issued to 331 skv. B-flight at Kjevik prior to June 1948. To RNoAF technical training center (LTS) at Kjevik in August 1948. To Kjeller Air Depot in March 1951. To 331 skv. in June 1951. Returned to storage in January 1952. To 332 skv. Bardufoss in March 1952. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes in July 1952. Total airframe hours 385:20. MJ855 15.11.45 (SK-Z) A-BL Left by 165 Sq. RAF at Værnes in November 1945. Taken over by RNoAF. WFU in September 1949 and used for spares. Not known to have been in squadron service in RNoAF. Total airframe hours 321:30. MJ931 10.05.45 FN-L A-AI Minor accident 03.05.46 at Gardermoen. During landing after a training flight, sgt. E. Magnussøn came in with high speed. He did not manage to stop the aircraft before the end of the runway and continued into a sandy area causing the aircraft to nose over. The pilot was unhurt. Total airframe hours at the time of accident was 219:30. Major accident 16.12.47 at Gardermoen when hit by Spitfire A-AU taking off. MJ951 17.05.45 FN-S A-AO 31.07.49 WFU from 331 skv. and written off. Cause not known, but proably for use as spares. No accident reported. Total airframe hours on 30.06.48 was 563:20. MK304..45 FN- - Major accident 21.09.45 south of Gjøvik. Belly-landed during a forced landing after loss of power. MK631.05.45 FN-E A-AD Major accident 11.08.47 at Værnes airfield. A-AD flew as No. 2 in a two-plane formation on a normal practice from Værnes. During pull-out from a simulated attack on two Catalina aircraft moored at Hommelvik, the pilot noticed that something was wrong with the engine, that stopped completely shortly after. At first he wanted to bale out, but then decided to make a forced landing at Værnes. On the first run the plane came in too high and the pilot had to go around once more from the opposite 20

direction. The plane had now lost altitude and did not reach the runway but touched down some 18 meters in front of this. It continued about 100 meters before making a 50 m jump. After one more jump, the plane continued over the taxi-way and finally ended on the tarmac in front of hangar no. 3. During the landing, the engine had started up again. The pilot, ltn. Egil Stokstad, received only minor injureies. In the accident report, the plane is listed as belonging to Trøndelag Air Command, Værnes airfield. At the time of the accident, the plane had logged 299:15 hours. MK671.05.45 FN-M A-AK AH-H Minor accident 16.04.48 at Gardermoen. The plane had been on a practice flight over the Oslo-fiord, and was completing its sortie by making some practice landings at Gardermoen. During the third landing the engine cut forcing the pilot to make a forced landing on the grass in front of the communication building. The pilot, major Tharald Weisteen, received no injuries. At the time of this accident, the plane belonged to 331 skv. and had logged 293:05 hours. Repaired and brought back to service with 331 skv. From 331 skv. to storage in May 1950. From storage to 332 skv. in April 1951. WFU from 332 skv. for storage i June 1952. Total airframe hours 568:50. MK799* 14.12.47 A-CK AH-N Issued to 331 skv. prior to June 1948. Minor accident 04.08.49 at Gardermoen. During taxiing for take-off, the plane suddenly nosed over and the propellar was damaged. The pilot, ltn. K. Bjørge- Hansen, was not injured. The plane belonged to 331 skv. From 331 skv. to storage in September 1950. From storage to 332 skv. in April 1951. WFU from 332 skv. Bardufoss to Værnes for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours 617:05. MK839 30.04.45 FN-X A-AR Minor accident 17.12.48 at Gardermoen. During take-off from runway 02 at Gardermoen, the propellar touched the surface and was damaged. The pilot, ltn. T. Ludvigsen, landed immediately without further damage to the plane or pilot. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. From 331 skv. to storage in June 1950. Returned to 331 skv. in July 1951. To Kjeller for major overhaul in November 1951 and finally to 332 skv. at Bardufoss in March 1952. WFU from 332 skv. for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours 570:50. MK866.05.48 A-CR AH-B From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. WFU from 332 skv. and delivered to Kjeller Air Depot for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours 654:40. MK886 10.05.45 FN-J A-AG 29.08.51 Minot accident 03.09.45 near Gardermoen. Propellar tip broken during training flight. Pilot: B. Ringstad. The aircraft remained a part of 331 skv. and Feltflyvingen throughout. WFU from 331 skv. in May 1950 and used as spares. MK897 01.05.45 AH- A-AX FN-X 09.05.51 From storage to 331 skv. in September 1950. Major accident 12.04.51 på Værnes. Nosed over during take-off due to exessive use of power. No injuries to personnel. Aircraft belonged to 331 skv. Total airframe hours 427:35. MK904* 29.08.47 A-BX From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. Major accident 09.03.50 at Andsvann field airstrip in Northern Norway. Due to oil spill on the front window, the pilot had to land with very limited visibility. He touched down some two meters in front of the runway and when trying to get the plane on a straight course, one wheel hit a snowdrift. The plane was turned completely over and crashed. The pilot was unhurt. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. MK983 10.05.45 AH- A-BG 08.09.49 Minor accident 06.12.48 at Værnes. Damage to propellar and left wing-tip when skidding off the runway during landing. The pilot, sgt. Frithjof Torkehagen, was unhurt. Aircraft and pilot belonged to 332 skv. Major accident 19.02.49 på Værnes. When landing A-BG with very high speed, the pilot did not manage to stop before reaching the end of runway 19 at Værnes. He continued onto the grass where A-BG turned over on the nose and then on its back. The pilot, sgt. Frithjof Torkehagen, was unhurt. Aircraft belonged to 332 skv. It was decided to scrap the aircraft for use as spares. Total airframe hours at the time of the accident was 319:55. MK997 01.05.48 A-CP From storage to 331 skv. in February 1950. Major accident 04.08.50 in Samsjøen near Værnes. Fenrik Finn Thorstensen was practicing low-flying with A-CP from Værnes under perfect weather conditions. Just after entering the low-flying area south of lake Selbusjøen, the plane hit the surface of lake Samsjøen with full power and exploded. The pilot was killed instantly. The cause was believed to be misjudgement of altitude over still water. The aircraft and pilot belonged to 331 skv. The aircraft had logged 263:50 hours at the time of the accident. ML132 30.04.45 AH- A-AV 02.12.51 From storage to 332 skv. Bardufoss in July 1948. WFU 332 skv. in December 1949 and placed in storage. Allocated to LTS (Air Force Technical School) at Kjevik for use as instructional airframe. ML178 12.05.45 AH-K A-BB AH-E Minor accident 13.07.45 when the aircraft touched high voltage cables crossing a river north of Grue near Kongsvinger. Pilot: Ltn. Egil Stigset. From storage to 332 skv. in January 1951. WFU from 332 skv. for storage in May 1952. Total airframe hours 343:55. ML363 12.05.45 AH- A-BC FN-C From storage to 331 skv. in February 1951. WFU from 331 skv. for storage in January 1952. Total airframe hours 306:00. MT741?..45 FN- - Major accident 14.08.45 at Gardermoen. RAF Ser.No. MT741 was never issued and must be a reporting error. NH171* 15.11.45 AH-Z A-BK FN-K 26.06.52 Taken over from 165 Sq. RAF at Værnes and assigned to 332 skv. From storage to 331 skv. in June 1951. WFU from 331 skv. and transferred to Kjeller Air Depot in November 1951. Possibly used for spares. Total airframe hours were 396:30. NH193 14.12.47 A-CI FN-I WFU from 331 skv. to Værnes for storage in January 1952. 21

Spitfire Mk. IXe PT658, A-AW. To 332 skv. Bardufoss in July 1948. Major accident 30.10.48 at Bardufoss airfield. Following a 30 minutes training flight, A-AW was cleared for landing back at base. When making a very thight turn before levelling out, the aircrafts left wing touched ground just before the runway. The pilot, fenrik Odd Haabet, did not manage to level out again, and the plane was thrown around twice before it came to rest on the grass along the runway. The pilot was unhurt. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. B-ving at Bardufoss. Total airframe hours 201:55. Spitfire Mk. IXe MK983, A-BG Major accident 19.02.49 på Værnes. When landing A-BG with very high speed, the pilot did not manage to stop before reaching the end of runway 19 at Værnes. He continued onto the grass where A-BG turned over on the nose and then on its back. The pilot, sgt. Frithjof Torkehagen, was unhurt. Aircraft belonged to 332 skv. It was decided to scrap the aircraft for use as spares. Total airframe hours at the time of the accident was 319:55. 22

NH208 09.05.47 A-BT AH-W Issued to 331 skv. B-Flight at Kjevik prior to June 1948. To LTS at Kjevik in August 1948. To Kjeller Air Depot in March 1951. To 332 skv. in April 1951. WFU from 332 skv. in June 1952. Total airframe hours 417:20. NH213 09.05.47 A-BZ AH-V Wrongly marked A-BO to 06.03.48. From storage to 332 skv. in June 1950. WFU from 332 skv. at Værnes for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours were 272:40. NH253 01.05.48 A-CU AH-C From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. WFU from 332 skv. in May 1952. To Komm.ving Bardufoss (Comm.Flight LKN at Bardufoss) for delivery to Værnes for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours 639:40. NH261.09.47 A-CB AH-K Used as trials aircraft for "Cocoon-treatment" at Kjeller 08.06.48-06.03.50. From storage to 332 skv. in January 1951. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes in July 1952. Total airframe hours 495:35. NH316 01.05.45 AH-O (A-BD) 23.03.46 Major accident 20.02.46 at Værnes airfield. As leader of a formation of two Spitfires from 332 skv. (AH-N and AH-O), ltn. H. W. Rohde in AH-O collieded with the antenna mast on the airfields fire station when making an illeagal low-pass thus damaging the propellar. The plane crashed during the following forced landing which was made on snow covered grass. The left wing was ripped off and the planed ended up on its back after some 100 meters. Ltn. Rohde was the oldest pilot and acting squadron leader of 332 skv. at the time of the accident. He escaped without injuries. Total airframe hours was 169:00. NH357 31.07.47 A-BV AH-X From storage to 331 skv. in May 1950. From 331 to 332 skv. in June 1950. WFU from 332 skv. in July 1952 for storage at Værnes. Total airframe hours 428:55. NH372 29.04.45 AH-D A-BN Accident 23.08.45 at Værnes. The plane hit a bird while performing low level attack training against shipping. Pilot: E. Anonsen. Accident 31.01.46 at Værnes. The pilot, ltn. Thor Werner, was taxiing out for takeoff when the propellar of AH-D hit a snow-drift. The pilot did not take notice and flew for some 15 minutes before he felt that the engine was shaking. He landed immediately without further problems. The airframe hours at the time of the accident was 135:15. Major accident 30.06.49 when damaged during landing at Værnes. Used for spares. Total airframe hours 135:15. NH401 15.11.47 (A-CN) Major accident 09.03.48 at Kjeller. The plane was ferried from storage at Gardermoen to Kjeller by major John Ryg for servicing. Due to icy runway at Kjeller, the plane swung off the runway and into a snowdrift. The aircraft belonged to the Flylagringssveiten (Aircraft storage unit) and was devoid of any markings. Total airframe hours 291:00. NH423* 04.09.47 A-CE From storage to 332 skv. Værnes 29.04.1949. WFU from 332 skv. in May 1949 and used for spares. Total airframe hours 269:30. NH460 10.05.45 AH- A-BH FN-T Minor accident 18.11.48 at Værnes airfield. Due to much snow on the runway, A-BH swung off during landing and received minor damages. The pilot, sgt. Frithjof Torkehagen, was unhurt. Aircraft and pilot belonged to 332 skv. Returned to storage in September 1949. To 331 skv. in May 1951. To storage in December 1951. Allocated to 332 skv. 28.04.52 and was probably not given AH code letters. WFU from 332 skv. for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours 425:50. NH475 30.04.45 AH-F A-AY 29.07.49 From storage to 332 skv. in July 1948. To 332 skv. Bardufoss in March 1949. Major accident 05.07.49 at Bardufoss. When landing after practice bombing east of Bardufoss, one of the main wheel brakes failed. The plane stayed on the runway but then the wheel-leg broke off causing the aircraft to turn 180. The pilot, fenrik N. Rødberg-Nilsen, escaped without injuries. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. B-ving at Bardufoss. Total airframe hours 258:15. NH485.06.45 AH-R - Major accident 11.08.45 during landing at Fornebu airfield. The aircraft overshot the runway and went over on its back. The pilot, sgt. B. Djupvik, escaped unhurt. NH520 13.05.48 A-CV FN-V Stored at LTS Kjevik in June 1948. To the Kjeller Air Depot in September 1948. To 331 skv. in January 1949. Minor accident 14.12.50 at Værnes airfield. During landing at Værnes, the pilot lost control as he came in the slip-stream of the aircraft landing in front of him. He hit a snowdrift but attempted to try and go again for landing. During this manouvre, the ving hit the snow again and the plane nosed over. The pilot, fenrik Jan Sandvik, was unhurt. The plane belonged to 331 skv. WFU from 331 skv. for storage in December 1951. Total airframe hours 420:10. NH540 01.05.48 A-CT 23.08.49 Written off for use as instructional airframe at the RNoAF Technical School at Kjevik. Never in squadron use. NH550 10.05.45 AH-S A-BO AH-Z From storage to 332 skv. Bardufoss in July 1948. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes 29.05.52. Total airframe hours 465:25. NH576 05.09.47 A-BW FN-F AH-R Issued to 331 Skv. B-Flight at Kjevik before June 1948. To LTS Kjevik for storage in August 1948. To 331 skv. in June 1951. To storage in January 1952. To 332 skv. Bardufoss in March 1952. WFU from 332 skv. in July 1952 and transferred to Kjeller Air Depot. Total airframe hours 243:10. NH584 29.04.45 AH- A-BE Major accident 15.06.48 near Ydstines in Stjørdal, some 2 km east of Værnes airfield. A-BE was taken on a short test-flight by ltn. Kristian Aagaard after having gone through a 150 hours periodical check. After about 30 minutes, the pilot reported engine problems that shortly after resultet in full stop and fire. The plane was in the finals for landing about 2 km s from the runway, when the whole aircraft was engulfed in flames. It turned over to the right and crashed into the ground from about 600 800 feet. The pilot was killed instantly. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. and had a total of 249:13 airframe hours at the time of accident. PL185* 26.06.47 A-CA Major accident 04.05.48 near Sandnes, some 15 km south-west of Risør. Major John Ryg was flying A-CA from Gardermoen to Kjevik when the engine suddenly stopped 23

Spitfire Mk. IXe MK904, A-BX Major accident 09.03.50 at Andsvann field airstrip in Northern Norway. Due to oil spill on the front window, the pilot had to land with very limited visibility. He touched down some two meters in front of the runway and when trying to get the plane on a straight course, one wheel hit a snowdrift. The plane was turned completely over and crashed. The pilot was unhurt. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. Spitfire Mk. IXe PT949, A-HA Major accident 11.07.51 at Bardufoss. The plane had been on a navigational practice flight when it came in for landing at Bardufoss airfield. The pilot leveled out too high and the plane stalled and fell down on the runway from 3 to 4 meters. AH-A continued off the runway and on to the grass where it sank into the soft ground and turned over. The pilot, sgt. Jan Steen Härum, escaped without injuries. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. but the pilot came from 331 skv. on temporary posting as O.T.U. trainee. Total airframe hours at the time of the accident was 315:20. 24

when about 5 km north-west of the western bay of Killefjorden near Kragerø. Ryg managed to re-start the engine but it was then shaking violently and smoking heavily. He decided to bale out. Having turned the aircraft on its back, he dropped out of the cockpit but the parachute had hooked in the hood. He managed to get loose and landed safely in the sea south-west of Risør. Ha climbed onto a rock and was soon after picked up by a boat. The plane had crashed in an old farm building at Olaf Ellingsens farm near Sandnes in Søndeled. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. and had logged a total of 280:20 hours at the time of the accident. However, on the aircraft movement card, A-CA is listed as part of the aircraft storage unit at Gardermoen (Flylagringssveiten). PL187.05.45 FN-Z A-AS Major accident 22.06.49 in lake Soneren in Sigdal. The pilot, sgt. Jostein Hoset, was on a low level navigational training flight at about 500 ft., when the engine started to loose power. He managed to climb up to 1.500 fett and parachuted successfully. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. The pilot also landed in the lake, some 100 meters from the shore. He was picked up after a few minutes. Total airframe hours 349:30. PL221 10.05.45 FN-N A-AL Accident 30.04.46 at Gardermoen. Following a local training flight, sgt. M. Sandvik landed FN-N at Gardermoen airfield. Some 50 meters after touch-down, the plane turned off the runway and on to the grass. It ended up on the nose when stopped by a small ditch. The pilot received no injuries. The plane belonged to Feltflyvingen at the time of the accident. Major accident reported in September 1948. The plane was at this stage not issued to any squadron. Accident report has not been found. Total airframe hours 138:15. PL226 12.05.45 AH-A A-BA AH-S WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes in August 1952. PL255 01.05.48 A-CS AH-L From storage at Kjevik to 331 skv. in May 1951. To 332 skvadron in November 1951. Returned to storage in January 1952 and then to 332 skv. in March 1952. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes in July 1952. Total airframe hours 131:40. PL327 28.08.47 A-CC 22.07.48 Minor accident at Kjeller air depot (date not known). During landing at Kjeller the plane swung off the runway and into a snowdrift causing the plane over on its nose. The pilot, ltn. O. Harby, escaped without injuries. The aircraft belonged to the aircraft storage unit at Gardermoen and had not yet been issued to a squadron. Major accident 06.07.48 near Domkirkeodden at Hamar. The engine stopped suddenly and the plane went into a dive from about 2000 feet. The pilot, fenrik Per Marum, managed to jump but the parachute opened too late to save him and he was killed instantly. Aircraft belonged to 331 skv. PL408* 05.05.45 AH- A-BF FN-F 24.08.51 From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. Returned to storage in September 1949. To 331 skv. in January 1951. Major accident 09.08.51 in Trondheimsfjorden some 1500 meters north-west of Ekne. FN-F was part of a formation of Spitfires practicing camera drill north of Værnes airfield. Sgt. Leif Lyngby in FN-F, experienced engine problems after about 25 minutes in the air. Finally the engine cut completely and Lyngby decided to bail out and set course over open sea. He turned the plane over on the side and parachuted sucessfully. He was picked up after some minutes in the dinghy. FN-F crashed in the sea at about 400 meter depth in the Trondheimsfjorden off Ekne between Vestrumholmen and Ytterøy. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. and had the word "Donald" and a Donald Duck-head painted on the fuselage. PL448..45 FN-T A-AU Allocated to 130 Sq. RAF 17.05.45. Diverted from this unit to 331 Sq. at a later date. No. 130 Sq. was stationed at North Weald together with 331 Sq. in April/May 1945 and transferred to Kjevik, Norway, in June. Major accident 16.12.47 at Gardermoen when colliding with A-AI during take-off. The plane caught fire and burned out completely, killing fenrik Knut Urdahl. Aircraft belonged to 331 skv. PL463 04.09.47 A-CF 30.11.49 From storage to 332 skv. in March 1949. Minor accident 08.08.49 at Værnes. During take-off the plane hit a sea-gull that damaged the radiator. The pilot, sgt. Frithjof Torkehagen, managed to land safely. A-CF belonged to 332 skv. The plane was written off and used for spares. PT396?.05.47 "L-TS" Allotted by RAF to RNoAF as instructional airframe. Categorised by RNoAF as instructional airframe 03.05.47 for use by the technical school (LTS)at Kjevik. Given the unofficial code letters L-TS and the name "Asbjørn". The plane had been used by 331 Sq. while on the continent in the autumn of 1944. Most sources quote this serial number as allotted to the Italian Air Force 26.06.1947 with Ser.No. MM4025. PT399 26.06.47 A-BU AH-A Accident 01.06.48 near Lillesand. A-BU had been transferred from 331 skv. at Gardermoen to the units B-Flight at Kjevik near Kristiansand on 31.05.48. Shortly after take-off for the return flight to Gardermoen, the pilot, ltn. Herfjord, experienced engine problems. He managed to land safely at Kjevik. It proved that the mishap was due to faulty spark plugs. A representative from the Rolls Royce factory, Mr. Archer, was sent to Kjevik to investigate. Until the cause was cleared, all RNoAF Spitfires and Mosquitos were grounded. From 331 skv. to LTS at Kjevik in August 1948. To Kjeller Air Depot in February 1951. To 331 skv. in June 1951. To storage in December 1951. To 332 skv. Bardufoss in March 1951. WFU from 332 skv. in July 1952 for storage at Værnes. Total airframe hours 193:15. PT529 10.05.45 AH-G A-AZ AH-Y From storage to 331 skv. in September 1950. From 331 to 332 skv. in December 1950. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes in June 1952. Total airframe hours 314:55. PT536 10.05.45 JR FN-D A-AC Code letters JR = major John Ryg (ex. W/Cdr. Flying No. 132 (N) Wing). Major accident 02.10.48 according to the aircraft card issued by the Flyfordelingskontoret (Aircraft distribution Office) at Kjeller Air Depot. However, 25

Spitfire Mk. IXe MJ418, A-BY Major accident 30.08.50 at Værnes. Ltn. Frithjof Torkehagen was taxiing up to hangar 3 at Værnes airfield having returned from Bardufoss with six other Spitfires, when his left wing hit a truck parked close to the runway. The plane turned left and the left main undercarriage broke. Pilot and plane belonged to 332 skv. 26

no such accident has been traced in the records of the RNoAF for the period 1945-1954. Total airframe hours 117:35. PT658 10.05.45 AH- A-AW To 332 skv. Bardufoss in July 1948. Major accident 30.10.48 at Bardufoss airfield. Following a 30 minutes training flight, A-AW was cleared for landing back at base. When making a very thight turn before levelling out, the aircrafts left wing touched ground just before the runway. The pilot, fenrik Odd Haabet, did not manage to level out again, and the plane was thrown around twice before it came to rest on the grass along the runway. The pilot was unhurt. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. B-ving at Bardufoss. Total airframe hours 201:55. PT727 09.05.45 FN-F A-AE 27.06.49 Major accident 10.05.49 north-west of Väderöerna in Skagerak during exercise "Svenor". A formation of two Spitfires from 331 skv. took off from Gardermoen for a sortie in connection with this joint Norwegian-Swedish exercise. About 20 km west-sout-west of the Sör-Koster island off the Swedish west-coast, sgt. Olav Tradin in A-AE reported engine problems. Then all contact was lost. Ltn. Opaker in the other Spitfire searched as long as the fuel allowed, but finally had to return to Gardermoen with a negative result. Later the same day, the search was continued with Mosquitos and Vampires, but without result. Later findings proved that the plane had crashed into the sea with sgt. Tradin still in the cockpit. The cause was believed to be engine failure. This lead to a full check on all Merlin engines in the RNoAF inventory with the aid of specialists from Rolls Royce. At the time of the accident, the plane had logged 285:35 hours. PT775 12.05.45 AH-R - Major accident 17.06.45 at Gardermoen. The hood blew offf during take-off. The pilot throttled back and the plane went off the end of the runway and crashed. PT827 29.04.45 AH-M - Major accident 14.06.45 near Askim. During an unauthorised display over the pilots home town, the aircraft spun into the ground. The pilot, sgt. Wilmar Wik, was killed. The aircraft belonged to 332 skv. PT833 09.05.45 FN-A A-AB AH-D 26.06.52 From storage to 331 skv. in August 1950. To 332 skv. in December 1950. WFU 332 skv. 29.03.52 and transferred to Kjeller Air Depot for storage. PT858 09.05.47 A-BP AH-T From storage to 332 skv. in October 1950. WFU from 332 skv. for storage at Værnes in July 1952. Total airframe hours 266:45. PT882 10.05.45 FN-K A-AH 22.11.49 Minor accident 08.01.46 at Gardermoen. A formation of Spitfires fom 331 skv. had been on a flight to Tønsberg but experienced fog on return to Gardermoen. The pilot of FN-K, fenrik Egil Stigseth made two abortive landing attempts, and had just enough fuel left to make a third landing. He made a wheels up landing and the plane stopped after some 50 meters. Minor accident 30.04.46 at Gardermoen. After an hour of local flying, the pilot of FN-K, sgt. Per Jansen, exprienced problems when landing back at base. He made another attempt but had difficulties with the landing gear handle. The plane touched down with the undercarriage only partly down. He managed to keep the plane straight on the right wheel only until loss of speed forced the aircraft down on the belly. The plane belonged to the Feltflyvingen at Gardermoen. Major accident 23.09.49 at Kjevik. During landing the plane swung off the runway due to strong sidewind combined with heavy breaking by the pilot. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. It had the name "Unni" painted on. It was transferred to the RNoAF Technical School at Kjevik as instructional airframe 21.02.50. Total airframe hours 202:00. PT884* 09.05.47 A-CG FN-G 03.10.51 From storage to 331 skv. in March 1950. Major accident 27.05.51 some 8 km east-northeast of Steinkjær. A section of two Spitfires took off from Værnes at 22.45 hours on 26.05.51 to participate in the local excercise Stiklestad. The purpose was to fly over the air watch posts in Northern Trøndelag. Sgt. Ivar Strøm, the pilot of FN-G, reported engine problems to his wingman after some time in the air. Shortly after, he reported that the engine had stopped completely and that he was going to bale out. The plane continued in straight flight for another three minutes before going into a spin from about 3.500 feet. The plane hit the ground between Bruem farm and Offenåsen with the pilot still in the cockpit. The time was just after midninght on 27.05.51. The aircraft belonged to 331 skv. PT912 14.12.47 A-CL FN-L Issued to 331 skv. prior to June 1948. From 331 skv. for storage in June 1950. Back to 331 skv. in March 1951. WFU from 331 skv. for storage at Værnes in December 1951. Total airframe hours 437:55. PT934 30.04.45 FN-C - Major accident 15.07.45 at Gardermoen when the plane hit a truck parked on the runway while taxiing. Pilot: O. Roald. Delivered to the RNoAF Technical School at Kjevik as instructional airframe during the spring of 1946. PT937 22.11.47 A-CH AH-J Minor accident 11.06.48 at Gardermoen airfield. Captain Eirik Sandberg was to land the plane at Gardermoen, having flown there from Kjeller to test a new rudder, when he forgot the let down the undercarriage. The plane bellylanded and continued some 500 meters down the runway. Apart from a splintered propellar, there was little damage to the aircraft. Captain Sandberg escaped without any injuries. The plane belonged to the Aircraft storage unit at Gardermoen. From storage to 331 skv. in July 1948. Minor Accident 15.11.50 at Værnes airfield. Sgt. John A. Larsen landet at Værnes as part of a four-aircraft formation from 331 skv. He came in with high speed and touched down well down the runway. At the end of runway 28, A-CH made a ground-loop. Total airframe hours at the time of the accident was 172:15. To 332 skv. in November 1951. From 332 to storage in January 1952. To 332 skv. Bardufoss in March 1952. WFU from 332 skv. and transferred to Værnes for storage in July 1952. Total airframe hours 216:25. 27