X4650 X4650 G-CGUK Mk.Ia Dan & Tom Friedkin, Comanche Fighters, Texas / Currently based at Duxford, UK



Built in Castle Bromwich. X4650, piloted by a young pilot, Howard Squire of 54 Squadron, RAF Catterick, collided with Alan Deere's Spitfire (X4276) over North Yorkshire in December 1940. Flight Commander Alan Deere (Battle of Britain legend from New Zealand) was giving the young pilot a lesson in how to keep close to an enemy aircraft, saying 'Stick to me like glue' when Howard Squire got too close and hit Deere's tail with his propeller at 12,000ft causing them both to ditch. Sgt Squire and Flight Commander Alan Deere were unhurt with Deere later going on to become an Air Commodore and Sgt Squire at the age of 89 visiting the later restoration of X4650.

The aircraft was later discovered in 1976, during the long hot Summer which revealed the Spitfire due to low river levels on farmland near Kirklevington, Cleveland. Peter Monk oversaw the complex project in which the engine was refurbished by specialists in Gloucestershire and the airframe restored by craftsmen on the Isle of Wight. Previously owned and restored by Peter Monk (The Spitfire Company) based at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. First post-restoration flight took place on 9th March 2012 and flown by Paul Bonhomme (Display & Red Bull racing pilot). X4650 (KL-A) was painted in 1940, 54Sqn markings. Sold to Dan & Tom Friedkin of Chino, California, USA but currently resides at Biggin Hill. Has been temporarily repainted for its role in the new 'Dunkirk' film and has the Squadron code 'LC' and 'R9612' on its side. Owned by Comanche Fighters in Texas but currently based in Duxford with The Fighter Collection.

(photo by Webmaster at the Duxford Flying Legends Airshow 2013.)





P9374 P9374 G-MKIA Mk.Ia Tom Kaplan & Simon Marsh (Mark One Partners LLC), IWM Duxford - Now SOLD to new anonymous owner.



In May 1940 P9374 was shot down but managed to bellyflop onto the beach at Calais, France (marked as GR-J). The pilot was Flight Officer Peter Cazenove (92 Sqn) who escaped unhurt and joined up with a British regiment at Calais in an unsuccessful attempt to fight off the Germans. He was captured and taken to a series of Prisoner Of War camps including Stalag Luft III where he helped to organise the Great Escape. Unfortunately, he was too big to use a tunnel to escape but was released after the war was over. P9374 sank into the sands of Calais soon after it had crash-landed. 40 years later, the Spitfire emerged from the sand due to strong tides. It was torn apart by souvenir hunters and also during a salvage operation to bring it to the surface. It was cleaned up and went to the Musee de l'Air in Paris (1980). Billionaire American gold-trader Tom Kaplan and Simon Marsh bought P9374 from the museum in 2006. Stored in Isle of Wight before restoration work was to begin. The aircraft was restored by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford, UK. It was registered as G-MKIA and made its first post-restoration flight at Duxford on 1st September 2011. P9374 was sold at Christie's, in London on Thursday 9 July 2015 for £3.1M. It remained in the UK until its last flight in April 2017 when it will then be dismantled and moved to her new home on the other side of the pond.

(photo by Webmaster at the Duxford Flying Legends Airshow 2012.)





N3200 N3200 G-CFGJ Mk.Ia Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK



Built at the Supermarine factory at Southampton. First flight on 29th November 1939. To 19 Sqn at Duxford on 19th April 1940. When flying from RAF Hornchurch in the hands of Sqn. Ldr. G D Stephenson, it was shot down and made a wheels up landing on the beach near Sangatte, France on 25th May 1940. Covered by the sea and sand, the wreck was forgotten until discovered and recovered in 1986. Acquired by the current owner in 2000 the Spitfire was brought to Duxford and rebuilt by Historic Flying Ltd. It made its first flight on 26th March 2014 in the hands of John Romain. Donated to the Imperial War Museum Duxford on 9 July 2015 by American billionaire and conservationist Thomas Kaplan (aka Mark One Partnership LLC), accepted on behalf of the museum by its Patron, Prince William (Duke of Cambridge).

(photo by Caz Caswell at Duxford on 14th September 2014.)





AR213 AR213 G-AIST Mk.Ia Dan & Tom Friedkin, Comanche Fighters, Texas / Currently based at Duxford, UK



Built by Westland at Yeovil and delivered to 12 MU on July 24th 1941. To 57 OTU on July 31st and transferred to 53 OTU on February 20th 1943. To 8 MU for storage on August 17th 1944 until struck off charge on November 30th 1945. This aircraft was never used in a combat role and only served with Operational Training Units but did suffer at the hands of fledgling pilots. Sold to Gp Capt Allen Wheeler (who originally intended racing AR213 but this never happened) on March 10th 1947 and registered G-AIST but stored until 1967 when it was brought to flying condition for 'The Battle of Britain' film. Then flown by Allen Wheeler at Wycombe Air Park for several years before being sold to The Hon Patrick Lindsay in 1978. Following Lindsay's death on January 9th 1986, AR213 was sold in April 1989 to Victor Gauntlett, and Peter Livanos at PPS at Booker. Victor Gauntlett died in 2003 and AR213 underwent a major overhaul and reconstruction at PPS, Booker, High Wycombe and operated by Sheringham Aviation (Peter Livanos company). Its flying permit expired in 2002 and it was decided to completely rebuild AR213 to give it another 20 years of airworthy life. Underwent an intensive and costly restoration by Personal Plane Services (PPS) to bring the aircraft as close to its original build as possible. First post-restoration flight was on 12th November 2007 from Booker, High Wycombe, still in primer and awaiting a new paint scheme. Repainted in authentic 57 OTU colours, coded JZ-E. This was the the colour scheme when Flt Lt James Harry 'Ginger' Lacey, who had shot down more enemy aircraft then anyone else during the Battle of Britain, was posted to 57 OTU for a rest as an instructor and flew AR213 as his personal aircraft and which was coded JZ-E. Sold by Sheringham Aviation in 2011 to 'Spitfire The One Ltd', Tom Friedkin? and currently residing at the IWM Duxford. This Spitfire was repainted by the Aircraft Restoration Company in Duxford in 2013 to represent an aircraft of No.71 'Eagle' Squadron based at North weald in 1941 and flown by Pilot Officer William Dunn. It wears the 'Eagle' Squadron crest on the nose and XR-D markings of P7308. Has been temporarily repainted for its role in the new 'Dunkirk' film and has the Squadron code 'LC' and 'R9632' on its side. Owned by Comanche Fighters in Texas but currently based in Duxford with The Fighter Collection.

(photo by webmaster at the Cotswold Air Show 2010.)





P7350 P7350 - Mk.IIa Battle of Britain Memorial Flight,

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.

Built at Castle Bromwich in 1940 and delivered to 6 MU in August that year. To 266 Sqn on Sept 6th as UO-T, then to 603 Sqn RAuxAF. Crash landed after combat with Bf-109s in October 1940 (repaired bullet holes still visible on port wing). To 1 CRU in November 1940 and then to 37 MU for storage. To 616 Sqn on March 18th 1941, then 64 Sqn on April 10th and 37 MU in January 1942. With the Central Gunnery School from April 1942 to February 1943 and to 57 OTU on March 31st. Stored at 39 MU from July 1944 until sold as scrap to John Dale & Sons who presented it to RAF Colerne for display until 1967. Brought to flying condition for 'The Battle of Britain' film and flown as G-AWIJ by Spitfire Productions in 1968. To BBMF in October 1968 with whom it still flies. P7350 wears the livery of No 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron's L1067 'XT-D'. For the 2007 season, P7350 was in a new colour scheme with new codes XT-L depicting the aircraft of Gerald 'Stapme' Stapleton, a 603 Sqn veteran. From April 2019, P7350 represents 54 Sqn's Spitfire Mk 1 R6981, 'KL-B', "KIWI III", the personal aircraft of the then Flt Lt Al Deere DFC from 10 Jul 1940 (the official start of the Battle of Britain) until 15 August (when it was lost after Deere baled out of it due to damage incurred in a combat with ME Bf109s). A more detailed history can be found on the RAF's BBMF website.

(photo by Webmaster - Duxford 2007)





AB910 AB910 - Mk.Vb Battle of Britain Memorial Flight,

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.

Built a Castle Bromwich in 1941 and delivered to 222 sqn on August 22nd that year at North Weald. It subsequently served with 130 Sqn, 133 (Eagle) Sqn at Biggin Hill, 242 Sqn, 416 Sqn (RCAF), no 3501 Support Unit, 402 Sqn (RCAF), 53 OTU at Hibaldstow (famously took-off with WAAF ground-crew fitter(Margaret) on the tail & landed one circuit later with her still clinging to the tail.), 527 Sqn and the RWE, finally going into store at 29 MU on May 30th 1945. On July 14th 1947 it was bought by Group Captain Allen Wheeler who used it mainly for racing as G-AISU. It was sold to Vickers-Armstrong in 1959 was presented to the BBMF on September 15th 1965 and appeared in 'The Battle of Britain' film in 1968. It still flies with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). AB910 wears the desert camouflage scheme of the Commanding Officer of 244 Wing, Wing Commander Ian Richard Gleed DFC, from the Tunisian campaign of 1943. For the 2007 season, AB910 is now in 303 (Polish) Sqn markings. A more detailed history can be found on the RAF's BBMF website.

(photo by Webmaster - RAF Cosford 2007)





BM597 BM597 G-MKVB Mk.Vb Guy Black, The Historic Aircraft Collection of Jersey, IWM, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.



Castle Bromwich built, delivered to 37 MU on May 26th 1942. Initially allocated to 315 (Polish) Sqn in May 1942, after just 4 months of service she was transferred to fellow Polish 317 Sqn where she carried the code JH-C. She was involved in a landing accident and declared Cat B on the 13th February 1943 and required extensive repair at De Havillands and modifications at Vickers-Armstrong before passing through 33, 39, and 222 Maintenance Units and issued to 58 OTU in April 1945. In October 1945 she was converted to an instructional airframe at RAF St Athan and issued with the serial 5718M. Relegated to display duties it paired with AR614 at RAF Hednesford where she was gate guardian from 1952-54, then to RAF Bridgenorth before transfer to RAF Church Fenton. Recalled to service for the 'Battle of Britain' film in 1967 it provided the master model for the fibre glass replicas. Back at Church Fenton in 1969 for a further 20 years where she was gate guardian, with 4 years at Linton on Ouse from 1975-79, it was sold by the MoD to the Tim Routsis Organisation Historic Flying Ltd, moving firstly to Braintree then onto the new facility at Audley End. Sold on to the Historic Aircraft Collection of Jersey in October 1993, work continued at Audley End culminating in a first flight on July 20th 1997, with the registration G-MKVB. Temporarily in new paint scheme in 2000 for Pearl Harbor film with markings AR352 (RF-C). Flew to Malta along with Hurricane 'Z5140' as part of the 'Merlins over Malta' project in September 2005 and was painted dark blue and coded U-2. In June 2010 BM597 made an emotional journey to Poland and was greeted there by two of her old pilots S/Ldr Franciszek Kornicki and Flt Lt Jerzy Mencel. Currently painted in camouflage scheme coded JH-C.

(Photo by Webmaster - Duxford Spring Airshow 2008)





AR501 AR501 G-AWII Mk.Vc Shuttleworth Collection (Old Warden), Bedfordshire, UK.



Westland-built, delivered to 8 MU on June 22nd 1942. On July 19th it went to 310 (Czech) Sqn, where it remained until March 1943. Its other wartime units were 3501 Support Unit, 504 Sqn, Church Stanton Station Flight, 312 (Czech) Sqn, 442 (Canadian) Sqn, 58 OTU, No 1 Tactical Exercise Unit and 61 OTU. After damage on September 9th 1944 it was converted to an LF.Vc and served with the Central Gunnery School from April 1945 until storage that August. Acquired by Loughborough College and used as an instructional airframe from 1946 to 1961, when it joined the Shuttleworth Collection. Restored as G-AWII to fly in 'The Battle of Britain' film, then stored until 1973, when a 2-year rebuild led to a new first flight on June 27th 1975. It wore the code 'NN-D' as it was known that AR501 was initially operated by 310 (Czech) Sqn but the exact letter code was not known and 'D' was used which represented Duxford where this Spitfire was re-built and flown and 'D' for 'Dolezal', one of the Czech pilots who was known to have flown the aircraft. Later in 1981 this Spitfire was moved to Old Warden where it still wore the code 'NN-D' until 1988 when it was coded 'NN-A' after the Chief Engineer did further research and made contact with an aviation historian in Czechoslavakia who provided copies from the pilots log books that showed that AR501 had been originally coded 'NN-A'. This Spitfire was temporarily in a new paint scheme in 2000 for the Pearl Harbor film with markings AR4474 (RF-Y). Since 2007, AR501 has been undergoing a full restoration with the engine being rebuilt and airframe checked. The Shuttleworth Collection Spitfire Vc made its first post restoration flight on the afternoon of 20/3/18 with Stu Goldspink at the controls.

(photo by Webmaster - Old Warden 2005)





EE602 EE602 G-IBSY Mk.Vc Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd, UK.



Built at Westland in Yeovil, Somerset. To 33MU at Lyneham, Wiltshire in September 1942 until moving to 66 Sqn at nearby Zeals. EE602 flew its first mission from Ibsley, on January 29th 1943, with Sergeant Tim Hamer at the controls, which was a Squadron Formation patrol. Tim Hamer was promoted in January 1943 from Flight Sergeant to Pilot Officer and flew this Spitfire again on February 4th 1943 in a Fighter Night Practice. (Thanks to Tim Hamer's daughter, Fiona Mosley, for this information). Transferred to 129 Sqn in February 1943. Rhodesian- born Flight Lieutenant George Elcombe was credited with damaging a Fw 190 whilst flying EE602. On the 17th May 1943 EE602, piloted by Flight lieutenant Euan Watson, participated in the escort of B-17F 41-24485, better known as Memphis Belle which was the first USAAF bomber to complete 25 missions. EE602 wears the title 'Central Railways Uruguayan Staff' forward of the cockpit as this was a Presentation Spitfire and the company had raised £5,000 to pay for the fighters construction. Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord beaverbrook promoted the idea of raising much needed funds to help Britain defend itself against Nazi attack and any individual, Company, Club, County or even another country could buy their own Presentation Spitfire which would bear their name. Owned by Ian David Ward from 20 May 2011, then owned by Fairfax Spitfires LLP in Salisbury from 25 January 2012 and Fairfax Spitfires LLP at Biggin Hill from 10 July 2012. The restoration was carried out over 3 years by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar at Biggin Hill and the first post-restoration flight was on 15th May 2015 at Biggin Hill, with Peter Monk at the controls.







EP120 EP120 G-LFVB Mk.Vb Stephen Grey, The Fighter Collection, IWM, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.



Built at Castle Bromwich. To 45 MU then 501 Sqn on June 4th 1942. Later to 19 Sqn, 402 Sqn, No 3501 Support Unit and 53 OTU. With seven kills, she is the most credited Mk V in existence and maybe the most credited WWII fighter. An accident cut short her career with 501 squadron, and she returned to Castle Bromwich for repairs. Instructional airframe 5377M at St Athan from June 1945. RAF Wimslow's gate guardian 1955, similar at Bircham Newton and Boulmer until 1968. She was a static aircraft in the Battle of Britain film in 1967/68 and to Wattisham until 1989. Stored until it was sold in 1991 and restored by Historic Flying at Audley End for the Fighter Collection at Duxford. Flew September 12th 1995. Temporarily in new paint scheme in 2000 for Pearl Harbor film in which she was the lead aircraft with markings AR3185 (RF-M).

(Photo by webmaster - Duxford Flying Legends 2012)





EP122 EP122 G-CISV Mk.Vb Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Ltd, UK.



Restored at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Ltd and first flight was on the 4th May 2016.

(Photo by David Hackney - Duxford Air Show: Meet the Legends September 2016)





MH434 MH434 G-ASJV Mk.IXc Ray Hanna, Old Flying Machine Company, IWM, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.



Built Castle Bromwich August 1943. Air tested by Alex Henshaw. To 222 Sqn on August 19th. Flown in combat by South African pilot Flt Lt Henry Lardner-Burke, DFC (1916-1970, veteran of the siege of Malta, seven and a half kills, three damaged, retiring as a Wing Commander). On the 27 August in the St Omar area over France, Lardner-Burke shot down a Focke-Wulf FW-190 and damaged a second during a mission to escort USAAF B-17 bombers. On the 5 September 1943 Lardner-Burke and MH434 shot down another FW-190 in the Nieuport area, and on the 8 September 1943 claimed a half share in the downing of a Messerschmitt Bf-109G in Northern France. To 350 Sqn at Hornchurch in 1944 then returning to 222 Sqn, 84 Gp Support Unit and 349 Sqn. After 79 operational sorties, MH434 was retired in March 1945. Storage at 9 MU in 1945, moved to 76 MU for disposal in 1946. Sold to RNethAF in 1947, joined 322 Sqn in Java, test flown on October 10th and becoming H-105 and in 1948, H-68. After a belly landing on May 7th 1949, went into storage and returned to Holland, flying again on March 10th 1953, and passing to Belgian AF as SM-41 on October 9th at the Advanced Pilot School at Koksijde and with 13 Wing at Brustem. COGEA 1956-63 as OOARA then acquired by Tim Davies and to UK as G-ASJV. Moved to Stansted then Elstree for a full overhaul. Took part in it's first movie role, Operation Crossbow. Used in 'The Battle of Britain' film. Bought by Sir Adrian Swire, Chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways, in 1968, had the Spitfire painted in 1944 camouflage colour scheme with his initials AC-S, as squadron codes. There were several film and television appearances during this period, including 'A Bridge Too Far'. It was also during this period (1970) that Ray Hanna's long association and famous partnership with the aircraft began. Sold it at an auction in April 1983. Its new owner was the Nalfire Aviation Ltd consortium headed by Ray Hanna. It is now operated by Hanna's Old Flying Machine Company (OFMC) based at Duxford. It underwent a major rebuild in 1994-95. MH434 is flown in its authentic RAF 222 Squadron codes ZD-B. The name 'Mylcraine' is that of 'Pat' Lardner-Burke's wife, and it bears his kill tally as of August 43.

(photo by Webmaster - RIAT 2015)





MJ271 MJ271 G-IRTY Mk.IX Boultbee Flight Academy/IWC, Goodwood Aerodrome, UK.



MJ271 was built at Castle Bromwich. To 33 MU at RAF Lyneham on 24 October 1943. To 118 Sqn in February 1944 where it saw 16 operational sorties from RAF Detling near Maidstone in Kent which included bomber escort, withdrawal cover, fighter sweeps & attacking V1 launch sites. To 132 Sqn at RAF Ford in Sussex in April/May 1944 where MJ271 saw action in 28 operational sorties including bomber escort and dive bombing targets on the French coast. Suffered a wheels-up landing at RAF Ford on night of May 9th 1944. To 401 RCAF Sqn at Volkel, Netherlands where she performed ten dive-bombing missions before becoming 'over-stressed' on 24 December and sent to RCAF 410 (Repair & Salvage Unit). To 29 MU at High Ercall in June 1945 before being delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF) in November 1945 with the designation H-8, later becoming 3W-8. This Spitfire served out its flying days with the RNAF until May 1954. To Delfzijl War Museum for the next twenty years where it became increasingly derelict as an outdoor exhibit. Restored at the Fokker Technical School in the mid-1970s and also restored in the following decade at Luchtvaartmuseum Aviadome at Schiphol to bring it up to static display condition where it had the markings of MH424. In 2006, Historic Flying Ltd brought MH424 to Duxford where it was stored for the next decade. It was then rebuilt by the Aircraft Restoration Company and test flights began in late Spring 2019. MJ271 'Silver Spitfire' is now finished in a stunning bare metal, polished aluminium scheme with the guns removed. During the Summer of 2019, pilots Matt Jones and Steve Brooks will fly this Spitfire around the world departing from Goodwood Aerodrome, UK on the 5th of August 2019 and flying westbound via the Arctic, North America, Alaska, Russia southwards to Asia, the Middle East and back to Europe.







MK356 MK356 - Mk.IX Battle of Britain Memorial Flight,

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.

Built at Castle Bromwich and delivered to 9 MU Cosford on February 4th 1944. Allotted to 443 (Canadian) Sqn on March 11th 1943 it carried the code 21-V. Used extensively on operations leading up to D-Day it was assigned to 83 Group Support Unit on August 8th 1944. Then conversion to an instructional airframe at No 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton in October 1945 with serial 5690M. In 1951 it was transferred to RAF Hawkinge for gate display duties carrying the serial M5690. After some restoration work at 71 MU RAF Bicester in 1961 it was erected on a pole at RAF Locking for some years before allocation to the 'Battle of Britain' film unit at RAF Henlow in October 1967. Carrying the spurious serials and codes N3328/AI-R & N3317/BO it was filmed at North Weald and Duxford.Temporarily stored at RAF Henlow after the film on August 8th 1969 it joined the RAF Museum Reserve Collection based at RAF St Athan. Over an 8 year period it was restored to flight on November 7th 1997. Joined the BBMF on November 14th 1997. Shortly to be temporarily based at RAF Barkston Heath, Lincs. while the runways at RAF Coningsby are renovated. The aircraft is presented as a clipped wing LF Mk IX and carries the only markings it ever wore operationally as 21-V of 443 Squadron RCAF. MK356 was flown in to Duxford in October 2007 for 6 months maintenance to be carried out by the Aircraft Restoration Company and will include a repaint, replacement of the MK500 Merlin engine with a M266 Merlin engine to return the aircraft to build standard, and a respar of the wings will be necessary (Major maintenance of the BBMF fighters will be carried out by the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) based at Duxford near Cambridge, for the next 5 years with an option to extend to 7 years). The new paint scheme will depict a 601 Squadron aircraft based in the Italian theatre in 1943. Presented as UF-Q, MJ250 of No 601 ( County of London ) Squadron the aircraft of Flight Lieutenant Desmond Ibbotson DFC. She is now in a silver paint scheme used during late 1944 when the Squadron carried out fighter bomber missions over the Balkans from bases in Southern Italy.

A more detailed history can be found on the RAF's BBMF website.

(photo by Webmaster - RIAT 2015)





MK912 MK912 G-BRRA Mk.IX Peter Monk

Biggin Hill, Kent



To 312 Czech Sqn from 6th June 1944 to 29th November 1944 with Sqn letters 'DU'. To RNeth AF from 26th July 1946 to June 1952. Sold to Belgian Air Force with markings 'H-59' and later 'H-119'. Exhibited as 'SM-29' at Saffraenberg in Belgium. To Hull Aero, Ludham for the Historic Aircraft Collection (HAC). Registered as G-BRRA in 1995. Restored to air worthiness with 'MN' markings as a tribute to 350 Sqn Belgian Air Force. Presently with new markings 'SH-L' along with new nose art which have been applied for film work. Canadian, Ed Russell has purchased Spitfire IX MK912 from Historic Flying for a reported £1 million (2003). Ed is currently learning to fly and has also purchased Harvard FE992 to help build up his hours in a taildragger before flying the Spitfire. MK912 (Borough of Bromley) was sold to Peter Monk in 2011 and based at Biggin Hill. On 1st August 2015, Spitfire MK912 suffered a loss of power after takeoff and forced landed back on the airfield. The aircraft was badly damaged but Pilot Dan Griffith carried out a text book forced landing and was okay.

(photo by Jeff Mood - 2012)





RR232 RR232 G-BRSF Mk.IX Martin Phillips

Boultbee Flight Academy, Exeter, Devon, UK



Built at Castle Bromwich and delivered to RAF on 14th Oct 1944 as a HF.IX high altitude fighter and allocated to an anti-aircraft co-operation Squadron. Sold to SAAF as 5632 in April 1948. Written off and ended up in scrap Yard in Cape Town in 1954. Bought by collector in Australia in 1976 for restoration to static display standard. Restored in October 1984 and loaned to museum. Shipped to UK in 1986 (Charles Church). Stored for sale in 1994. Bought in 2001 by private owner Martin Phillips who began a slow restoration to airworthy condition. RR232, a Mk.IX Spitfire has taken to the air on 18th December 2012 after many years of restoration fronted by owner Martin Phillips. She is now known as the 'City of Exeter' in honour of a presentation Spitfire donated to the war effort as a result of local fundraising.















TA805 TA805 G-PMNF Mk.IX Peter Monk and Mike Simpson

Biggin Hill, Kent



Built at Castle Bromwich. To 29MU in December 1944. To 39MU in 1945. Then to 183 Squadron at Chilbolton in June 1945. To 234 Squadron at RAF Bentwaters in July 1945. To 29MU and stored. To South African Air Force in 1949. To South African Metal & Machinery Co. in Cape Town, and scrapped in 1954. To South African Museum at Snake Valley. Remains of TA805 were discovered and eventually returned to the UK in 1981. To Steve Atkins, Oxford, UK from1989 to 1995. Remains of aircraft sent to Isle-of-wight as restoration project in 1995. To Peter R. Monk & Mike Simpson, Maidstone, Kent from 1996 to 2002. Restored to airworthy condition by Airframe Assemblies, Sandown, UK. Moved to Aircraft Restoration Company, Duxford to complete restoration. First restoration flight on 7th December 2005 at Duxford. Markings are those of 234 Squadron worn when first at RAF Bentwaters in 1945. Moved to Biggin Hill in 2006 where it is presently based. Usually referred to as the Kent Spitfire. See official website at www.kentspitfire.co.uk. TA805 was involved in a landing incident at Biggin Hill on 22 May 2014 and tipped up on its nose damaging the propeller however no-one was hurt and it returned to the air again on June 9th 2014.

(photo by Webmaster - Little Gransden 2007)





TD314 TD314 G-CGYJ Mk.IXe Keith Perkins

Aero Legends, UK



Built at Castle Bromwich in 1944. To 33 MU (Lyneham) in 1945. To 30 MU at RAF Sealand. To 6 MU at Brize Norton. To 183 MU at Chilbolton. To 234 MU at Bentwaters. To 29 MU at High Ercall for disposal in February 1946. In 1948 it went to 47 MU at RAF Sealand and shipped to Cape Town, South Africa in April/May 1948. Served with the South African Air Force for six years until sold to South African Metal and Machinery Company in 1954 for disposal. The fuselage and other parts were later recovered by Larry Barnett in Johannesburg between 1969 and 1972, and it was sold to Canadian owners in 1985. In 2009 it was acquired by Peter Monk for restoration by the Spitfire Company Limited based at Biggin Hill and was registered in 2011 to Keith Perkins when the restoration began. On 7 December 2013, Spitfire TD314 took to the skies again at the hands of Peter Monk.

(photo by Caz Caswell - Duxford 8th August 2014.)







NH238 NH238 G-MKIX Mk.IXe David Arnold, Flying A Services, North Weald, Essex, UK.



Built at Castle Bromwich. To 6 MU on May 6th 1944. To 82 MU, repaired after damage by General Aircraft. To 84 Group Support Unit on August 30th, had two accidents, last flight June 7th 1945, storage at 9 MU. To RNethAF May 30th 1947 as H-60 with 322 Sqn of Netherlands East Indies Air Force, Java. Flown against guerrillas, retired September 1949 and stored. Returned to Holland, overhauled by Fokker as B-8, delivered to Advanced Pilots School, Brustem on March 10th 1953 as SM36. To Fighter School, Coxyde, last military flight on May 16th 1954. Two years open storage, sold to COGEA as OO-ARE. Used as target tug, retired July 24th 1959. Bought by Bev Snook, sold to Taskers, Andover for static use. Passed through several ownerships, shipped to USA, arriving Texas on June 14th 1970. Restored by Hull Aviation to flying condition as N238V, then to David Tallichet, then back to Doug Arnold's Warbirds Of Great Britain at Blackbushe. Registered G-MKIX on December 12th 1983, flew again on May 6th 1984. Moved to USA following Doug Arnold's death in late 1992. Returned to UK.

(photo by Michel Abraham)





PL965 PL965 G-MKXI PR.XI Hangar 11 Collection, North Weald, Essex



Built Aldermaston in 1944. To 9 MU October 9th. To 16 Sqn, Belgium in Summer of 1944 - March 1945, then relocated to Holland. To Germany and back to UK for disposal. To Royal Netherlands Air Force School of Technical Training, Deelen on July 27th 1947. Displayed at base, then moved to Dutch National War Museum, Overloon on November 1960. Bought by Nick Grace and Chris Horsely in 1987. To Medway Aircraft Preservation Society, Rochester for rebuild. Registered G-MKXI. To Tangmere Flight Engineering, Rochester in 1991 for completion. First flight on December 23rd 1992. Transferred to Duxford on February 1st 1993 for operation by Old Flying Machine Company (OFMC) although it remained grounded for several months for further work. Sold to the Real Aeroplane Co. in March 1997. In September 2004 PL 965 made the move from her old home at Breighton in Yorkshire, to North Weald in Essex and now proudly forms part of the Hangar 11 collection....more details at www.hangar11.co.uk PL965 returned to flight on 26th November 2010 after 15 months on the ground while having her original 1945 Merlin 70 engine re-installed.

(photo by Webmaster - Old Warden, August 2006)





PL983 PL983 G-PRXI PR.XI Aircraft Restoration Company, Duxford



Built by Vickers-Armstrong at Reading and delivered to 6 MU, then to No 1 Pilots' Pool, Benson on November 24th 1944. To 2nd TAF, 4 Sqn on February 1945, 2 Sqn on September 6th, back to MUs in UK. Loaned to US Air Attache in UK from January 27th 1948 as NC74138. Flown in air races by Lettice Curtice who broke womens national 100km closed-circuit record at 313-208mph. Returned to Vickers then to Shuttleworth as G-15-109 in 1950. Displayed with Sea Hurricane Z7015 and moved to Duxford on August 30th 1975 for rebuild. Sold to Roland Fraissinet, restored by Trent Aero, first flight by Cliff Rogers of Rolls-Royce at East Midlands on July 18th 1984 as G-PRXI. Sold at auction on October 1st 1987 to Doug Arnold for £300,000 and became part of the Warbirds of Great Britain (WGB) Collection. Left UK at time of Arnold's death in late 1992. Now back at North Weald. Crashed at a French Airshow at 1655hrs on Monday 4th June 2001. The pilot, Martin Sargeant, was tragically killed at Rouen Airfield, Normandy. In 2003, what remained of the Spitfire was purchased by 'The Aircraft Restoration Company' and moved to Duxford. PL983 went into storage until 2007 and then started the process of restoration. The fuselage was reconstructed by 'Airframe Assemblies' on the Isle of Wight and the wings being worked on by HFL Engineers. A Rolls Royce Merlin 70 engine and canopy was installed as well as a mock reconnaissance camera. PL983 flew again on the 18th May 2018 in the capable hands of chief test pilot John Romain and she also appeared on static display at the Duxford Air Festival in May 2018. In August 2019 Spitfire PL983 was damaged when the left-hand landing gear collapsed on landing at Midden Zeeland airfield in the Netherlands, the pilot escaped unhurt. During the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 it was decided by the Aircraft Restoration Company to lift spirits by flying PL983 around the local area during the Thursday 'Clap for Our Carers' evenings which received an overwhelming fantastic response by everyone in lockdown. This brought about the idea for the 'NHS Spitfire project' where the words 'THANK U NHS' were written across the underside of the aircraft and the Spitfire (regularly called the 'NHS Spitfire' now) made several flypasts of NHS hospitals during the Summer of 2020. Money will be raised for the NHS by hand writing 80,000 names onto the 'NHS Spitfire' and you can nominate a family member, close friend or supportive neighbour and have their name displayed on PL983 by donating a minimum of £10 at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nhsspitfire

(photo by David Hackney - Duxford May 2018)





MV293 MV293 G-SPIT Mk.XIVe Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd, UK. (MV268)



Built by Vickers-Armstrong, Keevil. To 33 MU february 27th 1945 and stored.To 213 MU for packing on August 20th and shipment to India. Arrived Karachi October 14th, to Indian Air Force as No 48, December 1947. Later coded T20, to IAF Technical College, Jalahalli. Recovered from Bangalore and crated to Blackbushe. Restoration begun by Dick Melton, registration G-BGHB not taken up, became G-SPIT on March 2nd 1979. First flight after restoration by 'The Fighter Collection' at Duxford on August 14th 1992.

(photo by Webmaster - Duxford Flying legends 2012)





TD248 TD248 G-OXVI Mk.XVIe Tom Blair, Spitfire Ltd, IWM, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.



Built Castle Bromwich. To 6 MU on May 11th 1945, then to 695 Sqn. To 2 CAACU August 31st 1951. To 9 MU May 27th 1954, delivered as display airframe to 610 Sqn at Hooton Park October 4th 1955, then stored there from 1957 to April 8th 1959, when it became 7246M with 1366 Sqn ATC. To RAF Sealand then to 30 MU there on January 31st 1967 and displayed outside officers mess and then on a pole at the main gate until 1988. Used in 'The Battle of Britain' film in 1968. To Tim Routsis/ Historic Flying Ltd, Cambridge on June 1988. To Eddie Coventry, Earls Colne on August 1988 and collected from Sealand October 14th. Registered G-OXVI on August 22,1989 and rebuilt to fly at Audley End. First flight on November 10th 1992. Sold to Karel Bos. Involved in a landing accident at Duxford on 11/5/01, pilot Karel Bos was uninjured, damage to undercarriage, port wing, and propellor, stored in Historic Flying's hangar, Duxford. Restored with first flight on 27/5/02. TD248 was sold in 2005 and the new owners had it re-sprayed in it's new colour scheme of 74 Squadron 2nd Tactical Air Force May 1945. It is owned by Tom Blair, operated by Spitfire Ltd and maintained by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford.

(Photo by Webmaster - Duxford Flying Legends 2012)





TE184 TE184 G-MXVI Mk.XVIe Stephen Stead, Biggin Hill, Kent, UK.



Built Castle Bromwich and delivered to 9 MU on May 30th 1945. To 20 MU October 20th and 6 MU September 16th 1946. To 203 Advanced Flying School (later 226 OCU) September 7th 1948 and to 607 Sqn February 27th 1950. Stored 33 MU June 13th then to Central Gunnery School November 9th. To 64 Reserve Centre February 27th 1951 as 6850M. To 1855 (Royton) Sqn ATC from 1952 to February 1967. Used in the 'Battle of Britain' film and subsequently moved to Finningley to join museum collection. To 5 MU (RAF Kemble) for restoration then to 23 MU (RAF Aldergrove) and stored for Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Displayed outside museum March 1977 then stored until sold to Nick Grace in 1986. Registered G-MXVI to Myrick Aviation Services February 2nd 1989 and rebuilt with first flight on November 23rd 1990. Sold to Alain de Cadenet in 1995 and stored at RAF Halton. To Hawker Restorations on 5th December 1996. Repainted in free French Air Force markings (2002). Moved to OFMC at Duxford in 2004 until its future has been decided. Sold to Paul Andrews (G2 Trust) and moved from Duxford to Personal Plane Services at Wycombe Air Park (Booker) in October 2006. TE184 will be rebuilt to stock Mk.XVIe condition and returned to the air once again. TE184 wings are nearing completion and also its Merlin 286 engine. First post-restoration flight on 20th February 2009. Sold to Stephen Stead in April 2011. Currently based at Bremgarten in Germany but remains as G-MXVI. Moved from Bremgarten, Germany to Biggin Hill, UK in March 2012 where it will be based in the Heritage Hangar which also contains three other airworthy Spitfires (TA805, MK912, and X4650), along with another two Spitfires which are being restored (RW382, and TD314).

(photo by Stephen Stead - 2011)





TE311 TE311 - Mk.XVIe Battle of Britain Memorial Flight,

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.



Spitfire TE311 is a low-back/bubble-canopy Mk XVI with 'clipped' wingtips. Some 58 years after it last flew, TE311 will be back in the air in 2012, having undergone a painstaking re-build to flying condition by BBMF technicians, which was started in October 2001.

TE311 was taken on charge by the Air Ministry on 8 June 1945 - a month after the war ended - and was placed in storage. From October 1945 to February 1946, it was flown by the Handling Squadron of the Empire Central Flying School (ECFS) at Hullavington. Subsequently, after another period in store, it was used by the Ferry Pilot Training Flights at Aston Down and Benson. TE311 was grounded and transferred to non-effective stock on 13 December 1954. Subsequently the aircraft was a 'gate guardian' at Tangmere for 12 years and then, for over 30 years, was used as a static display exhibit at many air shows, as part of the RAF Exhibition Flight.

TE311 is painted as Spitfire XVI TB675 '4D-V', the aircraft of Squadron Leader Tony Reeves DFC, who was the Commanding Officer of No 74 Squadron in 1945.

(photo by Webmaster at RIAT 2015)





TB885 TB885 - Mk.XVIe Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.



First post-restoration flight was on Saturday 4th August 2018 and is expected to display at the Biggin Hill Festival of Flight in August 2018.







PS853 PS853 G-RRGN PR.XIX Rolls Royce Ltd, based at East Midlands Airport.



Built at Southampton and delivered to the central Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at Benson on January 13th 1945. Then to 16 Sqn of 34 Wing and on to 268 Sqn, re-formed at 16 Sqn at Celle on September 18th 1945. Back in UK by March 1946, to 29 MU. Flying accident on January 17th 1949, to makers for repairs March 9th. Left South Marston February 28th 1950, then to 6 MU. Converted for PR and joined Short Brothers Met Flight in July 1950, remaining with the unit until its retirement after its final flight on June 9th 1957. Flown to join BBMF on June 14th. To 32 MU on November 8th and then allocated to Biggin Hill's Station Flight on December 20th. To Station Flight, North Weald on March 1st 1958 and to Central Fighter Establishment on April 14th. Struck off charge on May 1st, it became West Rayham's gate guardian as 7548M until 1961. In airworthy condition and regularly flown by Grp Cpt Crowley-Milling (of WW2 BoB) and Flt Lt Sollit (CO Stn Flt) at West Raynham, during 1962. PS853 was relocated to RAF Binbrook in October 1962 where it was actively maintained and continued to fly during 1962-63. Returned to West Raynham and transferred to BBMF on April 14th 1964 and took part in 'The Battle of Britain' film in 1968. Sold to Euan English early in 1995 but back up for sale following English's death in a flying accident on March 4th 1995. Sold to Rolls Royce, September 1996. Now based in a dedicated hangar at East Midlands Airport. Undergoing a major overhaul with the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford in 2010. On 7th January 2013 the undercarriage collapsed after it made a landing at East Midlands Airport, the pilot was unhurt.

(photo by Webmaster - Kemble Air Day 2007)





PM631 PM631 - PR.XIX Battle of Britain Memorial Flight,

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.

Ordered from Vickers-Armstrong and built at Reading late in 1945 and delivered to 6 MU. Possibly served with 203 Advanced Flying School from May 1949 to January 1950 then stored until July 1951. To Met Research Flt operated by Short Brothers at Hooton Park on July 2nd 1951; unit moved to Woodvale on July 13th. Used for temperature and humidity flights until June 1957. Joined PS853, and PS915 to form the Historic Aircraft Flight in July 1957 at Biggin Hill, which later became the BBMF. With the BBMF ever since except for a period when it was used for combat trials against the Central Fighter Establishment's Lightnings at Binbrook in early 1964. Used in 'The Battle of Britain' film in 1968.This is the BBMF's longest serving aircraft, with 2005 being her 48th year of continuous service on display duties. PM631 is painted as an early PRXIX of 541 Squadron. Undergoing major maintenance at ARC from October 2009 including a wing re-spar, and new radio & GPS system fitted (estimated to be complete by April 2010). A more detailed history can be found on the RAF's BBMF website.

(photo by Webmaster - RIAT 2007)





PS915 PS915 - PR.XIX Battle of Britain Memorial Flight,

RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK.