1/48 Eduard Spitfire Mk.IXc, Early Version, BS392, flown by S/Ldr. Bernard Dupérier, CO of No. 340 Squadron, Biggin Hill Airbase, Autumn 1942

Bernard Dupérier, the CO of No. 340 Sqdn., instructed ground personnel to paint the Donald Duck artwork on several of his aircraft. Besides this Spitfire, the artwork was applied to his Douglas DB-7 and Spitfire Mk.Vb, BM324. The CO´s aircraft is marked with a pennant brushed on the fuselage and the Lorraine Cross was used by Free French squadrons. The Ocean Grey camouflage color seems to be quite light in b&w photos. Probably, a non-standard mix of paint was used while Ocean Grey was not temporarily available in sufficient quantities. Dupérier, an ace credited with seven victories, took command of No. 340 Sqdn, on April 10, 1942. That day, previous CO Phillipe de Scitivaux, was downed and captured by the enemy. Dupérier flew this Spitfire only rarely in the period from October 25 to November 7, 1942. Later on he became the CO of No. 341 Sqdn., and after the war was active in politics and supported General de Gaulle. Spitfire BS392 was used by various units, its fate being sealed on September 9, 1944. A member of No. 310 Sqdn., Sgt. Vojtech Skreka – Baudoin overran the runway during a landing maneuver and BS392 had to be written off.