I was delighted to read in the October issue that Spitfire Mk.Ⅸ LZ842 had taken its first flight after an extensive restoration at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. One of the pilots who flew this aircraft during the war was P/O (later fit Lt) John Lovett Tayleur. Earlier in the war. during March 1942. John took part in Operation Spotter, as one of the first 16 pilots to be sent to Malta, flying Spitfire Mk.Vs from HMS Eagle. In combat on April 20, John dived toward a Bf 109, his fire hitting the aircraft badly enough to claim it as probably destroyed. His own aircraft was then struck by a 20mm cannon shell shattering the canopy. Although his face was lacerated by pieces and with many tiny fragments going into his eyes he could still make out the shape of a Sruka in front - firing again, he claimed this as damaged John spent the next six weeks in hospital before it was decided he must be returned to England to save his sight.
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