I can't imagine where people get the idea that Australians have an authority problem... ? ;-) Back in mid 1943, in the South-West Pacific Theatre, the new 79 Squadron RAAF was assigned the two letter code "UP"... so the Squadron Leader, Alan Rawlinson bagged "U" for his personal machine. That's one way to keep the newsreel cameras away...!!! He was probably still shaking the sand of North Africa out of his pockets and boots, but his new Spitfire VC, (represented here using Bazze's model), was also one of the recently arrived tropical Spitfires that had their dust filters removed to restore them to "Temperate" fighting trim- perhaps on the understanding that "dust" is known as MUD up there in New Guinea... Patrolling the islands must have been a let down for the desert aces like Rawlinson after the absolute walloping they gave Mussolini and Hitler in North Africa. They did all that while flying Gladiators, Hurricanes and finally P40s. So, he won the medals and THEN the Top Brass brought him home and unwrapped a Spitfire for him... for Neighborhood Watch!!! Still, its good if your aces have time to feel bored, that usually means you're side is winning, doesn't it? Thanks for viewing and comments.