British ground crews working on Soviet Spitfires in Iran - they were shipped to Basra and transferred to the Russians in nearby Abadan. The Russians didn't like the Spitfire very much. It seems they didn't get the best airframes as BM186 and BL625, the third aircraft, had both met with accidents in RAF service during 1942 and the second, AD236, was a 1941 veteran. These three had already arrived in Basra before the end of 1942. Photo by: Sgt Neill / Imperial War Museums

The Spitfire goes to sea. Airframe assembled at Chattis Hil, first flown 25 October 1941. Served with American-manned No 121 Sqn, RAF. Fittted with tailhook to train Seafire pilots with FAA by October 1942. Served at least until 30 July 1944 with several accidents. Picture from Dutch archive but probably without Dutch connection. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)