brian's spitfire gallery http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 Vickers-Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF IXe/PL344/TL-B/(N644TB) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c1396277.html Vickers-Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF IXe/PL344/TL-B/(N644TB) Having rolled off the Vickers-Armstrong production line at Castle Bromwich in early 1944, PL344 was delivered to 8 MU at Little Rissington on 1 Jul 44. It then moved to General Aircraft Ltd on 19 Jun 44 before being issued to 602 Sqn on 12 Aug 44. It then moved to 442 Sqn RCAF on 28 Sep 44 operating out of St. Croix-sur-mer in Normandy. On 26 Dec 44 it suffered a Cat B accident and following repair then moved to 401 Sqn on 19 Apr 45 operating out of air bases in Germany. After delivery to 88Gp HQ on 16 Sep 45, PL344 then moved to 129 Sqn where it sustained a Cat C accident in a wheels up landing at Eindhoven on 6 May 46 and moved to 151 Repair Unit at Wevelgem airfield near Brussels. Here it was declared Cat C on 10 Dec 46 and struck off charge. PL334 ended up at the Anthony Fokker Technical Academy in Holland where over the years, the majority of the airframe was dismantled and dispersed. In 1985, Charles Church (Spitfires) Ltd acquired the hulk for rebuilding and on 18 May 88 was registered as G-IXCC and on 11 Mar 91 flew again. PL344 was sold to the Weeks Air Museum, Miami, and in 1992 went to PPS at Booker for further improvements. Took to the air again on 17 Oct 00 as PL344 coded Y2-P of 442 Sqn RCAF. On 15 Feb 01, PL344 over ran the runway at Wycombe Air Park and minor damage was caused to the nose after tipping up. Up for sale in America, PL344 was bought by Tom Blair in Oct 02 and registered as N644TB. Arrived at ARCo, Duxford on 12 Jan 07. Following an overhaul and improvements PL344 took to the air again on 24 Oct 07. Friday 26 October 2007: Vickers-Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF IXe/PL344/TL-B/(N644TB) Having rolled off the Vickers-Armstrong production line at Castle Bromwich in early 1944, PL344 was delivered to 8 MU at Little Rissington on 1 Jul 44. It then moved to General Aircraft Ltd on 19 Jun 44 before being issued to 602 Sqn on 12 Aug 44. It then moved to 442 Sqn RCAF on 28 Sep 44 operating out of St. Croix-sur-mer in Normandy. On 26 Dec 44 it suffered a Cat B accident and following repair then moved to 401 Sqn on 19 Apr 45 operating out of air bases in Germany. After delivery to 88Gp HQ on 16 Sep 45, PL344 then moved to 129 Sqn where it sustained a Cat C accident in a wheels up landing at Eindhoven on 6 May 46 and moved to 151 Repair Unit at Wevelgem airfield near Brussels. Here it was declared Cat C on 10 Dec 46 and struck off charge. PL334 ended up at the Anthony Fokker Technical Academy in Holland where over the years, the majority of the airframe was dismantled and dispersed. In 1985, Charles Church (Spitfires) Ltd acquired the hulk for rebuilding and on 18 May 88 was registered as G-IXCC and on 11 Mar 91 flew again. PL344 was sold to the Weeks Air Museum, Miami, and in 1992 went to PPS at Booker for further improvements. Took to the air again on 17 Oct 00 as PL344 coded Y2-P of 442 Sqn RCAF. On 15 Feb 01, PL344 over ran the runway at Wycombe Air Park and minor damage was caused to the nose after tipping up. Up for sale in America, PL344 was bought by Tom Blair in Oct 02 and registered as N644TB. Arrived at ARCo, Duxford on 12 Jan 07. Following an overhaul and improvements PL344 took to the air again on 24 Oct 07.

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]]> Fri Oct 26 2007 Spitfire F.Mk 22/PK624/(8072M) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c1248675.html Spitfire F.Mk 22/PK624/(8072M) Tuesday 3 April 2007: Spitfire F.Mk 22/PK624/(8072M)

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]]> Tue Apr 3 2007 Spitfire FR Mk XVIIIe/SM969(G-BRAF) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c933492.html In 1945, SM969 was one of only 300 Mk XVIIIe’s built at RAF Keevil by Vickers Armstrong Ltd. Spitfire parts were delivered to Keevil where they were assembled and test flown. SM969 was delivered to Karachi, India, by sea in January 1946. 18 months later it returned to Britain. It was sold to the Indian Air Force in 1949 and registered as HS877. In 1978, Doug Arnold of Warbirds of Great Britain Ltd, bought the aircraft from the Indian Government and it was rebuilt at Blackbush and registered as G-BRAF. Its first post restoration flight was on the 12th October 1985. From 1992, SM969 was stored but in April 2006 has been acquired by The Fighter Collection at Duxford with a view to restoring it once again to flying condition. Saturday 22 April 2006: In 1945, SM969 was one of only 300 Mk XVIIIe_s built at RAF Keevil by Vickers Armstrong Ltd. Spitfire parts were delivered to Keevil where they were assembled and test flown. SM969 was delivered to Karachi, India, by sea in January 1946. 18 months later it returned to Britain. It was sold to the Indian Air Force in 1949 and registered as HS877. In 1978, Doug Arnold of Warbirds of Great Britain Ltd, bought the aircraft from the Indian Government and it was rebuilt at Blackbush and registered as G-BRAF. Its first post restoration flight was on the 12th October 1985. From 1992, SM969 was stored but in April 2006 has been acquired by The Fighter Collection at Duxford with a view to restoring it once again to flying condition.

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]]> Sat Apr 22 2006 Spitfire Mk 1 - K9942 http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c927136.html Spitfire Mk 1 - K9942 Saturday 15 April 2006: Spitfire Mk 1 - K9942

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]]> Sat Apr 15 2006 Spitfire HF IXe - TA805 http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c925899.html Spitfire HF IXe - TA805 Saturday 15 April 2006: Spitfire HF IXe - TA805

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]]> Sat Apr 15 2006 Spitfire Lf XVIe/TD248/CR-S/(G-OXVI) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c886209.html Spitfire Lf XVIe/TD248/CR-S/(G-OXVI) Thursday 9 March 2006: Spitfire Lf XVIe/TD248/CR-S/(G-OXVI)

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]]> Thu Mar 9 2006 Spitfire Mk Vb/BM597/JH-C/(G-MKVB) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c872950.html Spitfire Mk Vb/BM597/JH-C/(G-MKVB) Saturday 25 February 2006: Spitfire Mk Vb/BM597/JH-C/(G-MKVB)

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]]> Sat Feb 25 2006 Spitfire Tr IX/PT462/SW-A/(G-CTIX) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c866203.html Built in 1944 at Castle Bromwich, PT462 was a single seat HF Mk IXa which was a high altitude variant of the Mk IX. It was delivered to No 39 MU then No 215 MU in July 1944 for delivery by sea to Italy and the Mediterranean Allied Air Force. It served with No 253 Sqn as SW-A until May 1947 when the squadron disbanded. In June it was struck off charge while at Treviso and transferred to the Italian Air Force as MM4100. In 1952 PT462 was acquired by the Israeli Air Force and ended its career in a Kibbutz playground in the Gaza strip. Following its recovery from Israel in 1983, PT462 was moved to Fowlmere in Cambridgeshire and was bought by Charles Church in 1984. A decision was made to return PT462 to flying condition but as a Tr. 9 two-seat trainer. The front cockpit was moved forward 13 inches and a second cockpit added and registered as G-CTIX flew again in July 1987. Following the death of Charles Church in Spitfire EE606 in July 1989, PT462 continued to operate in the UK under the care of Dick Melton Aviation, and in 1994 was sold to Jetcap Aviation Corporation, in Florida and flew as N462JC. In 1998 the current owner, Anthony Hodgson, purchased the aircraft and it was delivered to Duxford for the Aircraft Restoration Company to re-assemble and it flew again in the August of 1998 and now resides at its home base in North Wales. Saturday 18 February 2006: Built in 1944 at Castle Bromwich, PT462 was a single seat HF Mk IXa which was a high altitude variant of the Mk IX. It was delivered to No 39 MU then No 215 MU in July 1944 for delivery by sea to Italy and the Mediterranean Allied Air Force. It served with No 253 Sqn as SW-A until May 1947 when the squadron disbanded. In June it was struck off charge while at Treviso and transferred to the Italian Air Force as MM4100. In 1952 PT462 was acquired by the Israeli Air Force and ended its career in a Kibbutz playground in the Gaza strip. Following its recovery from Israel in 1983, PT462 was moved to Fowlmere in Cambridgeshire and was bought by Charles Church in 1984. A decision was made to return PT462 to flying condition but as a Tr. 9 two-seat trainer. The front cockpit was moved forward 13 inches and a second cockpit added and registered as G-CTIX flew again in July 1987. Following the death of Charles Church in Spitfire EE606 in July 1989, PT462 continued to operate in the UK under the care of Dick Melton Aviation, and in 1994 was sold to Jetcap Aviation Corporation, in Florida and flew as N462JC. In 1998 the current owner, Anthony Hodgson, purchased the aircraft and it was delivered to Duxford for the Aircraft Restoration Company to re-assemble and it flew again in the August of 1998 and now resides at its home base in North Wales.

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]]> Sat Feb 18 2006 Spitfire Mk 24/VN485 http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c865424.html Built by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd VN485 was delivered to 9 MU at RAF Cosford, on the 27th September 1947 and taken on charge the same day. VN485 turned out to be the 11th from last Spitfire delivered to the RAF. June 1949 and VN485 was one of a number of aircraft despatched to Seletar, Singapore, and went into storage. In September 1950, it was shipped to Hong Kong and in September 1951 was issued to No 80 Sqn. at Kai Tak. In May 1952 it was transferred to the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and in April 1955, VN485 flew its last official sortie, as part of a four-ship Spitfire formation for the Queen’s Birthday Flypast. VN485 was placed into storage at Kai Tak at the end of July 1955 with a total flying time of just 242 hours. It was officially struck off charge in September 1955 and a year later was placed on display at Kai Tak. VN485 was gifted to the Imperial War Museum by the RHKAAF in 1989. VN485 has been on static display at Duxford since its arrival in July 1989 and is currently painted in the silver scheme of the RHKAAF it wore in 1954/1955. Friday 17 February 2006: Built by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd VN485 was delivered to 9 MU at RAF Cosford, on the 27th September 1947 and taken on charge the same day. VN485 turned out to be the 11th from last Spitfire delivered to the RAF. June 1949 and VN485 was one of a number of aircraft despatched to Seletar, Singapore, and went into storage. In September 1950, it was shipped to Hong Kong and in September 1951 was issued to No 80 Sqn. at Kai Tak. In May 1952 it was transferred to the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and in April 1955, VN485 flew its last official sortie, as part of a four-ship Spitfire formation for the Queen_s Birthday Flypast. VN485 was placed into storage at Kai Tak at the end of July 1955 with a total flying time of just 242 hours. It was officially struck off charge in September 1955 and a year later was placed on display at Kai Tak. VN485 was gifted to the Imperial War Museum by the RHKAAF in 1989. VN485 has been on static display at Duxford since its arrival in July 1989 and is currently painted in the silver scheme of the RHKAAF it wore in 1954/1955.

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]]> Fri Feb 17 2006 Spitfire Mk PR XIX/PS915 http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c863163.html Built too late to see active service in the Second World War, PS915 Joined No 541 Sqn in June 1945 at Benson before moving to the Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit and assisted in the testing of new cameras. As part of No 2 Sqn based in Germany, PS915 undertook strategic reconnaissance missions as the division of Europe gained pace. In June 1957, PS915 moved to the RAF Memorial Flight at Biggin Hill and then in August to RAF West Malling and remained as a gate guard until 1960. In 1968 she was used for static scenes in the ‘Battle of Britain’ film and from 1969 to 1975 took up gate guard duties again at RAF Leuchars. PS915 Joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in June 1984 and following restoration at Salmesbury took to the air again on the 20th November 1986. PS915 is now flying in the markings of PS888 of No 81 Sqn based at Seletar, Singapore during the Malaya Campaign. The ground crew painted ‘The Last’ on the left side of the nose cowling of PS888 as it conducted the last ever operation sortie by a RAF Spitfire on the 1st April 1954. This was a photographic reconnaissance mission over the Malayan jungle looking for Communist guerrilla positions. Wednesday 15 February 2006: Built too late to see active service in the Second World War, PS915 Joined No 541 Sqn in June 1945 at Benson before moving to the Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit and assisted in the testing of new cameras. As part of No 2 Sqn based in Germany, PS915 undertook strategic reconnaissance missions as the division of Europe gained pace. In June 1957, PS915 moved to the RAF Memorial Flight at Biggin Hill and then in August to RAF West Malling and remained as a gate guard until 1960. In 1968 she was used for static scenes in the _Battle of Britain_ film and from 1969 to 1975 took up gate guard duties again at RAF Leuchars. PS915 Joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in June 1984 and following restoration at Salmesbury took to the air again on the 20th November 1986. PS915 is now flying in the markings of PS888 of No 81 Sqn based at Seletar, Singapore during the Malaya Campaign. The ground crew painted _The Last_ on the left side of the nose cowling of PS888 as it conducted the last ever operation sortie by a RAF Spitfire on the 1st April 1954. This was a photographic reconnaissance mission over the Malayan jungle looking for Communist guerrilla positions.

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]]> Wed Feb 15 2006 Spitfire Gallery http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c862285.html A collection of the different marks of Spitfire, static and flying, that can be seen in and around the United Kingdom. More photos will be added as and when I have time. (A) = Airworthy (NA) = Non Airworthy Saturday 27 October 2007: A collection of the different marks of Spitfire, static and flying, that can be seen in and around the United Kingdom. More photos will be added as and when I have time. (A) = Airworthy (NA) = Non Airworthy

Mk F XIVe - SM832(A) Mk FR XIVe - MV268(A) Mk LF IXc - MK732(A) Mk PR XIX - PS915(A) Mk LF IXc - MK356(A) Mk PR XI - PL965R(A) Mk XVIe - TD248(A) Mk XXIV - VN485(NA) Mk LF Vb - BM597(A) Mk I - R6915(NA) Mk LF IXb - MH434(A) Mk LF Vb - EP120(A) Mk Tr IX - ML407(A) Mk FR XVIII - SM845(A) Mk FR XIV - RN201(A) Mk Tr IX - PV202(A) Mk Tr IX - MJ627(A) Mk PR XIX - PS980(A) Mk IIa - P7350(A) Mk HF VIIIc - MT928(A) Mk PR XIX - PM631(A) Mk LF Vc - AR501(A) Mk Tr IX - PT246(A) Mk LF XVIe - TE184(A?) Mk HF IXe - TA805(A) Mk I - K9942(NA) TE311 - Mk XVIe(1989) Being re-built to airworthiness condition by BoBMF. Mk FR XVIIIe - SM969(A). Mk LFIXc - MH424(MJ271) (NA to A) Mk LF XVIe - RW386(A) Seafire F XVII - SX336(A) Mk LF Vc Trop - JG891(A) F.Mk XXII - PK624(8072M) (NA to A) Mk LF IXe - PL344(N644TB)(A)

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]]> Sat Oct 27 2007 Spitfire LF Vc/JG 891(A58-178)/(Mk Vc Trop/ G-LFVC) http://briansspitfiregallery.fotopic.net/c861839.html JG891 was built at Castle Bromwich as a Mk LF Vc in 1942. In 1943 it was delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force as A58-178. While serving at Kiriwina in the Soloman Islands in January 1945, JG891 flipped over onto her back when landing in wet and gusty conditions. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was not repaired. In 1974 the stripped down hulk of JG891 was recovered from the Soloman Islands and Don Subritzky started a composite restoration to flying condition using parts from EF545 (A58-149). It was given the civilian registration of ZK-MKV. It was eventually acquired by Karel Bos in 1999 and delivered to Historic Flying Ltd and registered as G-LFVC and is still under restoration to flying condition as a Mk Vc Trop with a Volkes filter housing under the nose. JG891 is finished in the desert camoufalge colours and markings of T*B/JK879 as flown by F/Sgt John G 'Jack' Hughes, a RCAF pilot flying with No 249 Sqn at Takali in Malta. Tuesday 14 February 2006: JG891 was built at Castle Bromwich as a Mk LF Vc in 1942. In 1943 it was delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force as A58-178. While serving at Kiriwina in the Soloman Islands in January 1945, JG891 flipped over onto her back when landing in wet and gusty conditions. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was not repaired. In 1974 the stripped down hulk of JG891 was recovered from the Soloman Islands and Don Subritzky started a composite restoration to flying condition using parts from EF545 (A58-149). It was given the civilian registration of ZK-MKV. It was eventually acquired by Karel Bos in 1999 and delivered to Historic Flying Ltd and registered as G-LFVC and is still under restoration to flying condition as a Mk Vc Trop with a Volkes filter housing under the nose. JG891 is finished in the desert camoufalge colours and markings of T*B/JK879 as flown by F/Sgt John G 'Jack' Hughes, a RCAF pilot flying with No 249 Sqn at Takali in Malta.

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