1944 Spitfire MK XVI – TB885
Spitfire XVI TB885 was restored and finished in the colours of no 322 (Dutch) Squadron as it wore back in 1945 with its distinctive orange triangle.
The aircraft has been buried at the fire dump at RAF Kenley and was recovered in 1982 by a team from the Shoreham Aircraft Museum. Restored to an airworthy condition by the engineers at The Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) over a three year period this aircraft has now returned to the Netherlands.
- TB885 entered service with 322 (Dutch) Squadron 29.03.45. and flew back to Lasham on 13.10.45
- Aircraft code was V for Vicky.
- TB885. the following ops flight are recorded.
- 8.4.45 14.00 – 16.05 pilot F.Lt. Dekker ground straffing
- 9.4.45 14.00 – 16.10 same squadron patrol Bremen.
- 9.4.45. 17.45 – 19.55 F.Sgt Harms same.
- 13.4.45 12.05 – 13.30 F.Lt Dekker section 4 over North Holland
- 16.4.45 18.05 – 19.50 W.O. Leah sqn patrol North Holland and Utrecht.
- 17.04.45 12.35 – 13.35 F.Lt Dekker armed recce central Holland.
- 18.04.45 13.00 – 14.00 F.Lt Dekker same.
- 21.04.45 18.05 – 19.30 F.Lt Arts Mitchell escort with 66 and 331 squadron over Oldenburg.
- 23.04.45 06.35 – 07.40 F.Lt. Dekker 3 section recce Oldenburg.
- 23.04.45 10.45 –11.50 F.Sgt de Vries Oldenburg again.
- 24.04.45 14.30 –15.40 F.Lt Dekker Bomb and straff Oldenburg two Tiger tanks.
- 24.04.45 17.25 – 18.15 F.Lt Dekker with 66 sqn bomb Officers quarters Coenburg
- 25.04.45 08.45 – 10.10 F.Sgt van Valkenburg armed recce over Bremen.
- 25.04.45 13.45 – 15.20 F.Lt Dekker same, over Bremen and Lubeck. Intense Flak.
- 07.05.45 08.55 – 10.15 F.Lt Dekker patrol over Bremen without incidents.
- No further Operational flights were made. The aircraft is recorded as with the squadron till disbandment and return flight to Lasham on 13 october 1945 via Gilze Rijen.