 At the start of June 1944 , Plagis assumed command of No. 126 ( Persian Gulf ) Squadron , flying Spitfire Mk IXs that had recently been moved from Malta to assist in the invasion of Normandy . Six of the squadron 's planes had been purchased by the Persian Gulf Spitfire Fund , and duly named after the donating sheikdoms ; Plagis 's aircraft , which he chose because of the large letter " K " on its tail ( echoing his sister 's name ) , had " Muscat " painted in English and Arabic script on its side . He added to this a full rendering of " Kay " and other personal decorations . 
