Hi Baffin!
As far as I am aware 56 Squadron RAF flew the Spitfire IX for a short time between April and June 1944. The squadron converted to the Tempest V in June 1944.
The squadron code
US was used by 56 from the start of the war up to 1946. LR was used previously during the period known as the Munich Crisis up to the commencement of hostilities.
Squadron code letters were introduced in March/April 1939 as a means of identifying squadrons. Three letters were used, two to denote the squadron and a third to denote the individual aircraft within the squadron. On the outbreak of war the two letter allocations were changed to confuse enemy intelligence.
As for the individual aircraft letter
A being used by the squadron leader on his aircraft I do not believe that was a laid down requirement. On some squadrons the 'Boss' may well have flown aircraft with 'A' as its letter. However, in a wartime situation, especially during the Battle of Britain, it was not practical.
Later on in the war some squadron/wing leaders did have specific individual aircraft codes. One who immediately comes to mind is Douglas Bader when he was Wing Commander of the Tangmere Wing.
One of the wing leader's "perks" was permission to have his initials marked on his aircraft as personal identification, thus "D-B" was painted on the side of Bader's Spitfire. These letters gave rise to his radio call-sign "Dogsbody".
Hope this is of interest.
07
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