Spitfire XVI "..540" at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 3rd May 1948 a 609 Squadron pilot was flying a Spitfire over Yorkshire when he was unable to lower the undercarrige so made a belly landing at Linton on Ouse airfield. The incident is recorded in the 609 Squadron ORB which identifies the Spitfire as a Mk.XVI and "..540". Having looked up all Mk.XVI with the last three digits "540" there were no Mk.XVI's. 609 Squadron only began conversion from Mosquito to Spitfire in April 1948 and may only have had two (possibly three) Spitfires when this incident occurred. I would suggest it was being ferried to join 609 Squadron at Yeadon when this incident occurred but that it cannot have been a Mk.XVI if the part-serial number is listed correctly.
Pilot - F/Lt Peter Dundas Thomson DFC DFM RAF (126705).