RAF No 145 Squadron

Supermarine Spitfire photographs

Spitfire MkVbTrop RAF 145Sqn AB326 and AB345 at Helwan Egypt May 1942 IWM CM2856

Two Supermarine Spitfire Mark VB(T)s, AB326 and AB345, running up their engines at Helwan, Egypt, shortly after their arrival from Takoradi, Gold Coast, on the West African Air Reinforcement Route. Both aircraft were immediately passed to No. 145 Squadron RAF, the first unit to be equipped with the Spitfire in the North African theatre.

Imperial War Museum IWM CM 2856 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205208928

Aircrew RAF 145Sqn Sqn Ldr LC Wade CO at Triolo in Italy 12 Nov 1943

Sqn Ldr L C Wade CO RAF 145Sqn sitting in the cockpit of his Spitfire HFVIII at Triolo landing ground, south of San Severo in Italy, 12 November 1943

Aircrew RAF 145Sqn Sqn Ldr NF Duke (L) with Sqn Ldr SWF Daniel at Fano Italy IWM CNA3177

The outgoing Commanding Officer of No. 145 Squadron RAF, Squadron Leader N F Duke (left), stands with the unit's new CO, Squadron Leader S W F Daniel, at Fano, Italy. Duke departed the Squadron as the top-scoring fighter pilot in the Mediterranean theatre, having achieved his final victories on 7 September 1944 (two Messerschmitt Bf 109s near Rimini), to achieve a total of 26 and two shared enemy aircraft shot down. Daniel arrived at Fano with a total of 16 and one shared victories, and commanded 145 Squadron until the end of the War.

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 3177 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205210893

Spitfire MkIX RAF 145Sqn at Pachino Sicily IWM NA4296

A engine mechanic at work on a Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX of No. 145 Squadron RAF at Pachino, Sicily, shortly after the Squadron arrived there from Malta.

Imperial War Museum IWM NA 4296 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205208059

Spitfire MkVb RAF 145Sqn ZXA at Pachino Sicily IWM NA4293

A Royal Engineers sapper in a streamroller levels the surface of the airfield at Pachino, Sicily, after the retreating Italians had ploughed it up with deep furrows, as a Supermarine Spitfire Mark VB of No. 145 Squadron RAF takes off for its first patrol following the Squadron's arrival from Malta.

Imperial War Museum IWM NA 4293 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205208058

Spitfire MkIX RAF 145Sqn ZX1 EN459 at Tunisia April 1943 IWM TR1008

Groundcrew of the Advanced Servicing Unit dismantling Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX, EN459 'ZX-1' of the Polish Fighting Team, attached to No. 145 Squadron RAF in Tunisia, April 1943. The aircraft was damaged on 6 April 1943 when, after shooting down a Messerschmitt Bf 109, it was attacked by another Bf 109 and hit in the engine. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Eugeniusz Horbaczewski, was able to glide in to Gabes for a forced landing.

Imperial War Museum IWM TR 1008 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205188615

Spitfire LFVIII RAF 145Sqn ZXF JF503 dispersal area at Canne Italy IWM CNA2407

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mark VIII, JF503 'ZX-F', of No. 145 Squadron RAF is serviced on a dispersal covered with pierced steel planking (PSP) at Canne, Italy.

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 2407 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209344

Spitfire MkIXc RAF 145Sqn ZX6 EN315 and EN261 dispersal area at Tunisia Apr 1943 IWM CNA4542

Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXCs of the Polish Fighting Team (Skalski's Circus) attached to No. 145 Squadron RAF, run up their engines at the Goubrine airfield in Tunisia, April-May 1943. In the foreground is EN315 'ZX-6', flown by the unit's Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Stanisław Skalski, with EN261 beyond.

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 4542 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209611

Aircrew RAF 145qn Sqn Ldr LC Wade at Triolo landing ground Italy 1943 IWM CNA1979

Squadron Leader L C Wade, commanding No. 145 Squadron, sitting in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire HF Mk VIII at Triolo .Squadron Leader L C Wade, Officer Commanding No. 145 Squadron RAF, sitting in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire HF Mark VIII at Triolo landing ground, south of San Severo, Italy, shortly before the end of his second tour of operations in the Mediterranean area, where he had become the top-scoring fighter pilot with 22 and 2 shared enemy aircraft destroyed. He was promoted Wing Commander and joined the staff at Headquarters, Desert Air Force, but was killed on 12 January 1944 in a flying accident at Foggia.

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 1979 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209309

Aircrew RAF 145qn Sqn Ldr LC Wade at Triolo landing ground Italy 1943 IWM CNA1978

Pilots of No. 145 Squadron RAF grouped in front of one of their Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIIIs at Triolo landing ground, south of San Severo, Italy. The Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader L C Wade, is standing second from right.

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 1978 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209308

Spitfire MkIX RAF 145Sqn EN239 at Pachino Sicily Jul 1943 IWM CNA1013

Ground crews at work on Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXs of No. 145 Squadron RAF, at Pachino, Sicily.

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 1013 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209231

Spitfire MkIX RAF 145Sqn with Sqn Ldr LC Wade at Goubrine North Tunisia IWM CNA809

Squadron Leader L C Wade, Commmanding Officer of No. 145 Squadron RAF, inspects the damaged starboard wing of his Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX after flying back to his base at Goubrine North,Tunisia, following combat with enemy fighters while providing top cover for fighter bombers attacking shipping in the Gulf of Tunis

Imperial War Museum IWM CNA 809 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209217