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Wigan Spitfire Plaque

6 Comments

Wigan Spitfire Plaque.
Wigan Spitfire Plaque.
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 3,565
Item #: 10558
The plaque presented to the people of Wigan who raised £7,886 to buy a spitfire, in 1940. Does anyone know where it was located and where it is now?

Comment by: Eric Turner on 22nd April 2009 at 17:18

I'm working on it Ron, keep looking here. E.T.

Comment by: Eric Turner on 22nd April 2009 at 20:41

OK, Ron, The cheque for £7,886-5-8 was given to the Ministery of Aircraft Production 11/10/1940 and a Spitfire Mk11B No,P8244 was given the name,"Wigan & District". It went operational with 222(Natal) Squadron based at Matlask, 19 August 1941. A Czech Pilot,Sgt.Rudolf Ptacek, flew it on more missions than anyone else, he was shot down in it near Saint Omer France.19/8/1941.he evaded capture travelling from France & Spain to Gibraltar, arriving back in England at the end of the year.
The Plaque was displayed in the History Shop alongside the "Wings for Victory Week"and other WW2 stuff. E.T.

Comment by: RON HUNT on 22nd April 2009 at 20:52

Hi Eric thanks for the info I did know about the Polish pilot. Do you know if the plaque is still in the History Shop, as was?

Comment by: Eric Turner on 22nd April 2009 at 21:12

He was a Czech Ron ,not a Pole. I have not seen the plaque myself and my info' is from Mark Gaskell of the Lancashire Aviation Investigation Team from Orrell. This info' is a few years old but it should still be in the History Shop or someone there should know where it is now. E.T.

Comment by: Eric Turner on 22nd April 2009 at 21:17

I forgot to mention, a Spitfire 1X two seat trainer in flying condition was sold last week at auction for £1.7 million.

Comment by: Eric Turner on 6th June 2009 at 18:18

I have been told that a Representative of RAF Millom Museum will be present at the Armed Forces Day parade on a stand in Mesnes Park, sat,27th June 09 with details of the Spitfire Plaque among other items. E.T.

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