The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force along with many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War and afterwards into the 1950s as both a front line fighter and also in secondary roles.
Many developing countries purchased Spitfires as industrial countries phased out propeller-powered aircraft in favour of new jet-engined machines. As these nations started to update their air forces many Spitfires and other Second World War aircraft were sold on the open market to individuals or for scrap. The aircraft in Hong Kong serving with the UK Colonial wings are a good example of the differing means of disposal where they were simply bulldozed into the sea as part of the process to reclaim land from the water in order to lengthen the runway.
Private collectors began to acquire Spitfire aircraft and a number went on to appear in movies and TV shows. These movie and TV appearances in turn helped to save a number of them from being scrapped. The Spitfire with probably the most movie and TV credits is a Mk.IX MH434. It ended up in civilian ownership in the UK around 1956 and has since gone on to appear in many films and TV shows including The Longest Day (1962), The Battle of Britain (1969), A Bridge Too Far (1977), and Piece of Cake (1988).
Many Spitfire and Seafire aircraft survive in museums and private collections around the world today and this article lists individual aircraft known to still exist.
The information in the table below provides a high-level breakdown of the surviving Spitfire/Seafire aircraft across the world by status, with an explanation of the status categories as follows,
Airworthy - Aircraft that are maintained in airworthy condition. Annual maintenance and minor remediation work is ignored.
Static Display - Aircraft that are on static display, with the majority being in publicly accessible museums. Check individual aircraft below for further details as some are displayed on military airfields which are not accessible to the public.
Restoration / Stored - Aircraft which are being either actively restored, held in storage, or otherwise do not fall into the above categories.
AirworthySpitfire HF Mk.VIIIc MV239 / A58-758 (VH-HET). Owned and operated by the Temora Aviation Museum in Temora, New South Wales. It wears the markings of the mount of Robert 'Bobby' Gibbes DSO DFC as A58-602 / RG-V (RAF serial MV133), who was Wing Commander 80 Wing RAAF, Morotai, 1945.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TB863 (VH-XVI). Owned and operated by the Temora Aviation Museum in Temora, New South Wales. It wears 453 Squadron RAAF codes TB863 / FU-P, which it wore in the UK during 1945.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.IIa P7973. This Spitfire was flown by several Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons in 1941. Assigned to No. 452 Sqn (RAAF) (RAF Kenley and RAF Hornchurch) Flown by Australian pilot "Bluey" Truscott on "Circus 68", a bomber escort mission into France on 9 August 1941. This was the mission in which famous legless RAF pilot Douglas Bader was shot down and became a P.O.W. Aircraft has not been repainted since WW2 however bears the markings of the Central Gunnery School. (Coded R-H) flying 24 operations. In July 1945 it was shipped to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for display. One of the few Spitfires still in its original paint, it has been displayed in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra since 1950.Spitfire F Mk.Vc Trop BS231 / A58-92. Partial airframe on display at the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory. Recovered during 1983 at low-tide from wartime water crash-site, Point Charles NT. Display incorporates parts from both BS178 / A58-70 & JG731 / A58-172.Spitfire F Mk.Vc Trop EE853 / A58-146. Displayed at The South Australian Aviation Museum, Port Adelaide, South Australia. This aircraft was manufactured in 1942 by Westlands in the UK. It was shipped to Australia and became part of RAAF 79 Squadron at Milne Bay. On 28 August 1943 it crashed on Kiriwina Island and was transported back to Goodenough Island. In 1971 Langdon Badger found the aircraft and in 1973 he had it shipped to Adelaide. After four years of restoration at Parafield Airport, Langdon displayed the Spitfire at his Adelaide home. In August 2001 the aircraft was put on display in the Museum.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire F Mk.Vc Trop BR545 / A58-51. Owned by the Royal Australian Air Force Museum and in storage at Point Cook, Victoria. Ex. 54 Sqn Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) machine, marked DL-E. Force landed on mud flats at low-tide, Prince Regent River, near Truscott WA 22 December 1943. Wreck lay for many years covered by the tides until recovered by the RAAF Museum in November 1987. Merlin engine and sections of airframe recovered.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MH415 (N415MH). Owned by investors Warbirds Flight Club Pty Ltd, Hunter Valley NSW. Arrived in Australia and now en route to Scone NSW (22 January 2016 information) to commence a full restoration to airworthy condition. Previously owned by Wilson 'Connie' Edwards and stored at his facility in Big Spring, Texas for decades. During its time with 'Connie' Edwards it wore the scheme MH415 / ZD-E to replicate the colours and markings it wore during its service with No. 222 (Natal) Squadron RAF during 1943. Sold via Platinum Fighter Sales (www.platinumfighters.com) in October 2015 and subsequently transported to Australia Spitfire F Mk.IX MH603 (VH-IXF). Owned by Ross Pay (son of Col Pay) and registered to Pay's Air Service Pty Ltd. Ex. South African Air Force machine MH603 is under active restoration to airworthy condition at Scone, NSW. When completed the Spitfire will wear 331 (Norwegian) Squadron colours as based at North Weald (UK) in early 1944.Spitfire LF Mk.IXb MJ789. Owned by the Royal Australian Air Force Museum and in storage at Point Cook, Victoria. Ex. 453 (RAAF) Sqn machine, wore the markings MJ789 / FU-B. Crashed in River Orne, near Caen, France on 11 June 1944 as a result of anti-aircraft fire claiming the life of pilot Flight Lieutenant Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith. Both F/L Smith and MJ789 were recovered from the riverbed in November 2010. Subsequently F/L Smith was buried with full military honours in Normandy and the wreckage of MJ789 was transferred to the RAAF Museum and transported to Australia for conservation with a view to eventual display.Seafire F Mk.XV SW800 (VH-CIH). In storage, Adelaide area, South Australia. Recovered from Brownhills scrapyard in the UK circa 1991, and shipped to Melbourne VIC.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.Vb BL423. Significant wreckage owned by the Belgian Aviation History Association on display at the Broken Wings Museum, Erembodegem.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MJ783 / SM-15. Displayed at the Brussels Army Museum, Brussels. It wears the spurious markings of MJ360 / GE-B, a Spitfire from RAF No.349 (Belgian) Sqn.Spitfire F Mk.XIVe MV246 / SG-55. Displayed at the Brussels Army Museum, Brussels. It is painted as Belgian Air Force SG-55 / GE-R.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe RM921 / SG-57. Displayed at the Spitfire Museum, situated within the Florennes Air Force Base. Although on military property, it is open to the public. It is the centrepiece of the museum and wears RL-D codes. This aircraft was preserved as a gate guard after its service life, c.1956. After some 30 years, it was removed and restored to be displayed in the museum.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TD135. Stored in the Brasschat area.Static DisplaySpitfire HF Mk.IXe MA793. Built at Castle Bromwich and delivered to 6 MU RAF on 21 July 1943. It was shipped to the Mediterranean on 5 August 1943 and operated by the Mediterranean Allied Air Force until transferred to the USAAF on 31 October 1943. It returned to the RAF in May 1944 and was stored with 39 MU in the UK until sold to the South African AF on 30 September 1948, serialled 5601. The aircraft was donated to the museum by Rolls-Royce and wears colours and markings of RAF ace Johnnie Johnson with codes JE-J. It was delivered in airworthy condition to "Museu Asas de um Sonho" (Wings of a Dream Museum), located in São Carlos, Brazil. It has only made one flight during its time in Brazil when it flew at a museum ceremony around 2001, since then it has been on static display within the museum.AirworthySpitfire LF Mk.XVIe SL721 (C-GVZB). Owned by Michael Potter. Refinished in the markings of AU-J from No. 421 Squadron RCAF and part of the Gatineau, Quebec based Vintage Wings of Canada's collection.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.IIb P8332. Battle of Britain veteran, on display at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa. It wears the markings and codes P8332 / ZD-L of 222 Sqn to replicate the scheme it wore when serving with the Squadron during 1941. Presentation aircraft, "SOEBANG N.E.I.", funded by the Netherlands East Indies.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc NH188. Served with the Royal Netherlands Air Force as H-109 (later H-64) from 1947 to 1952 and with the Belgian Air Force as SM-39 from 1952 to 1954. Privately owned, it was flown in Belgium as OO-ARC and was later imported to Canada where it flew as CF-NUS. After being donated on 7 June 1964, it is now on display in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Rockcliffe, Ontario as NH188 / AU-H.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE214. Built in 1945 at the Castle Bromwich factory, Birmingham, TE214 did not however see combat service. Served with 203 Advanced Flying School during 1945. Subsequently displayed at RAF Ternhill as TE214 and later as TE353 between 1954-1960. TE214 was loaned to the Royal Canadian Air Force for display purposes in 1960 and transferred to Canada. Ownership transferred to the Canadian National Aeronautical Collection in 1966 and it was displayed at a number of museums and locations across Canada before going on long-term loan, in 1997, to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario where it is on static display. It wears the markings TE214 / DN-T to represent a machine from 416 (City of Oshawa) Squadron RCAF in North-West Europe during 1944-45.Seafire F Mk.XVc PR451. On static display within the Naval Gallery, part of the Military Museum complex, Alberta, Calgary. It wears the Royal Canadian Navy markings PR451 / VG / AA-N. PR451 was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 1 June 1946 and served with 803 Squadron operating from the Aircraft Carrier HMCS Warrior. It was subsequently struck off charge on 25 May 1949.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire HF Mk.IXe TE294. Previously under restoration to flight at Comox, Vancouver Island, for Vintage Wings of Canada, it arrived at their main base at Gatineau, Quebec in late September 2014 for continued restoration back to airworthy condition. 14 February 2014 update: Fuselage now painted to represent MK304 / Y2-KSpitfire F Mk.XIVe RM747 In storage at Vintage Wings of Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. RM747 served with No.322 (Dutch) Sqdn, No.350 (Belgian) Sqdn, No.451 (Australian) Sqdn, before serving with the Royal Thai Air Force as serial number Kh.14-5/93. During the 1980s it was part of a playground at Sawankalok, Thailand. (Previously identified as RM873, an ex RCAF machine with service in 401 Sqn which also went on to serve in the Royal Thai Air Force)Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe TZ138 (C-GSPT). Potentially airworthy but not flown for a number of years. Stored at Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE330. Displayed at the China Aviation Museum, Datangshan. Acquired in 2008 from New Zealand where it underwent restoration to static display condition by the Subritzky family of North Shore and sold to China via auction. Wears the markings TE330 / HT-B.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.IXe TE565. National Technical Museum, Prague (Národní Technické Muzeum, Praha). It wears the authentic markings of TE565 / NN-N from 310 (Czechoslovak) Sqn, which it wore during its wartime service with the Squadron.Static DisplaySpitfire HF Mk.IXe MA298. After the German occupation, the Royal Danish Air Force acquired 38 HF Mk.IXe and 3 PR Mk.XI Spitfire aircraft. The Spitfires were phased out and replaced by jets between 1951 and 1955. All but two were scrapped. For a number of years, one was placed in a children's playground. The last survivor is exhibited at Danmarks Flymuseum, Stauning Airport. It wears the authentic Royal Danish Air Force markings 41-401.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.Vc Trop BR491. On display at the El Alamein Military Museum, El Alamein. Missing rear fuselage and tail unit.AirworthySpitfire PR Mk.XIX PS890 (F-AZJS). Built in 1945 under construction number 6S/585110. Operated by No 81 Squadron RAF in Singapore during 1951, later transferred to Thailand Air Force and flown until 1962. Donated by the King of Thailand to Ed Maloney and transported to Planes of Fame Air Museum in California. Rebuilt to static condition in 1968. Restored to airworthiness between 1994-2002 at Chino, California and fitted with a Griffon 58A driving contra-rotating propellers from an Avro Shackleton. Purchased by Christophe Jacquard on 30 April 2005 and flown with the contra-rotating propellor until May 2009 when the engine was changed.. It wears SEAC Theatre markings PS890 / UM-E with a Leaping Black Panther, masquerading as a Mk.XIV from 152 Sqn based in Burma during the mid to latter stages of World War II.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.XVIe RR263. On display at the Musée de l'Air, Le Bourget, Paris. It wears the spurious markings of TB597 / GW-B from 340 (Free French) Sqn, a machine lost during the war.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe TP367. In storage, Normandy. Ex.Indian Air Force machine, with the individual code HS669.AirworthySpitfire HF Mk.VIIIc MV154 (D-FEUR). Owned by Max Alpha Aviation and operated from Bremgarten. Wears spurious markings MT928 / ZX-M from 145 Sqn when based in the Mediterranean theatre during the mid to latter stages of World War II.Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe TP280 (D-FSPT). Owned by the Air Fighter Academy Collection, Zirchow, Germany. Arrived at MeierMotors, Eschbach, Germany on 24 March 2015 for reassembly. TP280 was on display within the EAA museum at Oshkosh WI prior to shipment to Germany. Previously owned by Rudy Frasca and flown from Frasca Field, Urbana, Illinois. It wears the markings of a 60 Squadron machine during the Malayan Emergency in 1950 with the distinctive yellow and black stripes and coded TP280 / -Z.Static DisplaySpitfire FR Mk.XIVe MV370. On display at the Luftfahrtmuseum, Hannover. Ex-Indian Air Force instructional airframe (marked T.44), wears the codes MV370 / EB-Q to represent a machine from No. 41 Squadron RAF.Restoration / stored (not on public display)Spitfire Tr.9 MJ772 (G-AVAV). Owned by Hangar 10 and operated from Zirchow. Wears the authentic markings MJ772 / NL-R from 341 (Alsace) Sqn, which it wore during its service with the squadron. Suffered off-airport landing in field, near Woodchurch, Kent, United Kingdom at around 10:00 local time on 7 September 2015. Pilot OK. Previously registered in Germany as D-FMKN.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.IXc MJ755. Built at the Castle Bromwich factory and delivered to No. 43 Squadron RAF in August 1944, which at the time was covering operations in Southern France. In 1947 it was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force and later retired to The Hellenic Air Force Museum.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.VIIIc - MV459. On display within Ambala Air Force Base and not accessible to public.Spitfire F Mk.XVIIIe - SM986. On display at the Indian Air Force Museum, Palam, New Delhi. Indian Air Force serial HS986.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire LF Mk.VIIIc - NH631. Part of the Indian Air Force Historic Flight based at Palam Air Force Base, New Delhi. Stored pending restoration to airworthy condition.Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe - TZ219. In use at the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, Punjab as an instructional airframe. Indian Air Force serial HS683.AirworthySpitfire LF Mk.IXe TE554. The Black Spitfire, and former Israeli Air Force 20-57. The personal mount of former Israeli Air Force Chief of Staff and president Ezer Weizman, it is used for ceremonial flying displays and based at the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.IXe EN145. On display at Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim. Former Israeli Air Force 20-78.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe SL653.On display at Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim. Former Israeli Air Force 20-28.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.IXc MK805. On display at the "Vigna di Valle Museum" (Italian Air Force Museum) Bracciano, Rome, Italy.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.IXe EN199. On display at the Malta Aviation Museum, Ta Qali, Malta. First flown at Eastleigh on 28 November 1942. The aircraft was restored by Ray Polidano, the Museum's Director, in 1992. The aircraft is named 'Mary Rose' in honour of Ray Polidano's wife and carries the code R-B in memory of the highest-ranking officer who flew it - Wing Commander Ronald Berry D.F.C.Spitfire F Mk.Vc BR108. The remains are on display at the Malta War Museum in Fort St Elmo, Valletta after being recovered from the sea in Marsalforn Bay, Gozo in 1974. The aircraft had been found by RAF diver Kevin Patience in 1968 after weeks of searching the seabed and identified by his brother Colin researching the Air Ministry archives. Built in March 1942, it was flown to Malta and shot down on 8 July, while flown by Flt Lt Lester Sanders. Sanders survived but was killed flying from Castle Bromwich in October of that year.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.IXe TE513 / UB421. On external display at the newly opened (2016) Defence Services Museum which is North-East of Myanmar's capital city, Naypyidaw, in the Zeyathiri Township. Previously displayed within the Defence Services Museum, Yangon (Rangoon). RAF serial number only revealed in 2012 as TE513 following extensive research in Israeli Air Force archives, with which it served prior to being sold to the Burmese Air Force.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe TE527 / UB431. Rear fuselage and tail-section suspected to be from this aircraft on display within the newly opened Defence Services Museum on the outskirts of Naypyidaw. Previously displayed within the Defence Services Museum, Yangon (Rangoon) within a similar diorama. Diorama depicts the downing of a Hawker Sea Fury aircraft UB466, and these markings are worn on the side of the fuselage.Seafire F Mk.XV PR376 / UB409. On external display at the newly opened (2016) Defence Services Museum on the outskirts of Naypyidaw. Previously displayed within the Defence Services Museum, Yangon (Rangoon).Seafire F Mk.XV PR422 / UB415. On external display within Meiktila Air Force Base. Not accessible to public.Possible buried Spitfire in BurmaIn 2012 a great deal of media attention was given to rumours that the RAF had buried a number of Spitfire Mk.XIV aircraft in Burma, unassembled and in their packing crates, during August 1945. However no documentary or other evidence has been uncovered that this actually happened and some have dismissed the whole story as implausible, including military archaeologist Andy Brockman
During April 2012 the UK government announced they were working with the post-junta Burmese government to locate and potentially return a total of 20 aircraft to flying condition. On 16 October 2012 the Burmese government signed an agreement with David Cundall, a British farmer and aviation enthusiast who was leading the search along with his Burmese business partner Htoo Htoo Zaw, allowing them to begin excavations.
Leeds University experts and an academic from Rangoon using sophisticated radar techniques claimed to have discovered one of the sites of the buried aircraft at what is now Yangon International Airport, the former RAF Mingaladon airfield. In addition to the 20 aircraft thought to be at this site, other sites with buried Spitfires were claimed, one with as many as 36 aircraft interred.
In January 2013, following investigations at both Yangon International Airport and Myitkyina, archaeologists led by Andy Brockman concluded that there were no aircraft buried at the sites. Despite this, David Cundall continued his search. However, on 16 February of the same year, it was reported that Cundall's sponsors, Wargaming Ltd, no longer believed any Spitfires were ever buried and that any aircraft in the area had been re-exported in 1946. The search was called off. Despite the withdrawal of the major sponsor, David Cundall said at that time that he remained confident and the search would continue.
The Netherlands
AirworthySpitfire LF Mk IXc MK732 (PH-OUQ). Operated by The Historic Flight of the Royal Dutch Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht) and based at Gilze-Rijen. Built in 1943, it saw action during D-Day. Following restoration to flight it initially carried the Dutch Air Force (Klu) markings H-25. Following this it was painted in the scheme it wore when serving with 485 (RNZAF) Sqn as OU-U / BABY BEA V, but now wears an all-over silver scheme 3W-17 / MK732 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.IXc MJ143. On display at the newly opened National Military Museum sited on the former Royal Netherlands Air Force Base at Soesterberg. Previously in storage after being on display for many years at the now closed Militaire Luchtvaart Museum also at Soesterberg. Displayed as H-1, Royal Netherlands Air Force.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MJ874 Substantial remains owned by the Dutch Aircraft Examination Group, on display at the DAEG Museum, Deelen.Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe TP263, Displayed at the National War & Resistance Museum. Ex-Indian Air Force HS649, rebuilt to represent a Mk.XIVc. Wears the spurious serial NH649, with the codes 3W-F of No.322 (Dutch) Squadron.New Zealand
AirworthySpitfire Tr.9 MH367 (ZK-WDQ). Owned by noted aerobatic pilot Doug Brooker and arrived in New Zealand on 11 September 2008. It wears RAF desert colours with the markings of FL-A, a Mk IX flown by the New Zealand Squadron Leader Colin Gray, C/O of 81 Squadron when based in Tunisia in mid-1943. On 15 January 2009, during a transit flight from Auckland, the Spitfire suffered a heavy forced landing on Hood Aerodrome, near Masterton. The propeller, undercarriage and some fuel lines were damaged but the aircraft was repaired. A second landing accident at Ardmore Airport on 2 December 2009 resulted in damage to the undercarriage and propeller. It is believed that a sudden change in wind direction caused the aircraft to run off the end of the runway. On 12 June 2011 the aircraft suffered yet another landing accident, this time tipping onto its nose after landing at Ardmore, damaging the propeller The aircraft has since been restored to airworthy condition.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc PV270 (ZK-SPI). Owned by businessman Brendon Deere and restored to an airworthy condition over five years at Feilding, New Zealand, it flew again on 18 March 2009. The aircraft is based in a purpose-built hangar at RNZAF Base Ohakea along with Brendon Deere's North American Harvard. PV270 Served with the RAF during WW2, then subsequently with the Aeronautica Militaire (Italy), Heyl HaAvir (Israel), and Tatmadaw Lei (Burma/Myanmar). It wears the markings of EN568 / AL, the personal aircraft of Deere's uncle Air Commodore Alan "Al" Deere when based at Biggin Hill in 1944.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe NH799 (ZK-XIV). Owned by 'The Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection' and based at Omaka airfield, New Zealand. Post restoration first flight 2 April 2015, with John Lamont at the controls. Purchased by the Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection, who are based at Omaka, in 2010. Restored to airworthy condition by Avspecs Limited at Ardmore Airport, Auckland. The plan to have the Spitfire restoration completed in time for the Classic Fighters Airshow held over the Easter weekend (3–5 April 2015) was achieved, and NH799 is resplendant in a South East Asia Command (SEAC) colour scheme, and wears the individual letter T with the serial NH799 both in white. NH799 was previously owned by the Alpine Fighter Collection at Wanaka until it crashed on take-off on 2 January 1996 which seriously injured pilot/owner Sir Tim Wallis. Was initially restored to flight by Historic Flying Ltd at Audley End, UK, and flew on 21 January 1994 (as G-BUZU and codes AP-V).Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE288. Taken on charge by the RAF on 1 June 1945, the aircraft served with 61 OTU, 501 RAuxAF Squadron (coded RAB-D), and 102 and 103 Fighter Refresher Schools, until placed into storage in 1951. Also used as a prop in the movie "Reach for the Sky", it then spent time as a gate guard at RAF Rufforth, Church Fenton and finally Dishforth, before it was sold in 1963 to Canterbury Brevet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand. For many years it was mounted on a pole near the entrance to Christchurch International Airport. In 1984 it was donated to the RNZAF Museum, and was restored by RNZAF staff at RNZAF Woodbourne. It is displayed at Wigram, without serial number, as 'OU-V' of 485 Squadron. Several fibreglass copies of this aircraft were made during its restoration and are on public display around New Zealand and Australia.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE456. Taken on charge by the RAF on 8 August 1945, the aircraft initially went into storage at 6 MU at Brize Norton. It was issued to 501 RAuxAF Squadron at Filton in March 1946 (coded RAB-J), and then to 612 RAuxAF Squadron at Dyce in May 1949 (coded '8W-?'). In August 1955 it was used in the movie Reach for the Sky. It has been on static display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand, since 1956 when New Zealander Sir Keith Park, commander of No 11 Fighter Group, arranged for it to be donated. During the mid-1990s the aircraft was restored by Aircraft Component Engineering to its original 501 Sqn colours.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TB252 (N752TB). Stored pending further restoration with AvSpecs Limited, Ardmore Airport, Auckland, for owner Tony Banta.Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.IXe MH350. On display at the Norwegian Aviation Museum (Norsk Luftfartsmuseum), Bodø. It wears the authentic markings MH350 / FN-T of No. 331 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF.Spitfire PR Mk.XI PL979. On display at the Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection, Gardermoen, Oslo. It wears the authentic markings PL979 / AZ-B of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire LF Mk.IXe MK997. Partial wreckage recovered from Lake Samsjøen, Vaernes, Norway and is planned to be displayed 'as-is' within the proposed "Warbirds Over Norway" museum. MK997 was serving with the Royal Norwegian Air Force when on 4 August 1950 during a low pass over lake Samsjøen the starboard wing touched the surface and the aircraft hit the water tragically killing pilot 2nd Lt. Finn Thorstensen, it was coded 'A-CP'. Thorstensen's body was located by divers 24 July 2011, and on 3 September 2011his remains were recovered for burial at Vestre graveyard, Oslo.Spitfire Mk.IX EN570 (LN-AOA, ex.G-CISP).Poland
Static DisplaySpitfire LF Mk.XVIe SM411. Assigned to RCAF 421 Sqn in 1944. On display in the Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków. It wears the spurious markings TB995 / ZF-O of 308 (City of Kraków) Sqn RAF. In 1977, this aircraft was sent from the United Kingdom to Poland as part of an exchange between the Polish Aviation Museum and the Royal Air Force Museum. It was swapped for a World War 1 Airco DH.9A bomber, the only survivor of its type, which is now on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London. Difficulties caused by the then ongoing Cold War meant nearly nine years were spent negotiating the swap.Static DisplaySpitfire HF Mk.IXc ML255. Delivered to the South African Air Force in 1948. After being damaged in a collision at AFB Ysterplaat, it ended up derelict in Snake Valley, Pretoria until it was recovered and restored to static display for the SAAF Museum. It was later transferred to the Museu do Ar, at Sintra in Portugal. It wears the Portuguese Air Force markings ML255 / MR+Z.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.Vc Trop JK808, ser.no. 17-545,On display at Belgrade Museum of Aviation . Aircraft appears in 352 (Yugoslav) Squadron RAF in March 1945. It flew in 11 missions over former Yugoslavia. Transferred to 1st Fighter Aviation Regiment of Yugoslav Air Force, May 1945, then to Mostar Air Base HQ (today in Bosnia and Herzegovina) in August 1945. In 1949, received YAF serial 9489. Briefly in 112th Fighter Aviation Regiment as a training aircraft, then stored at Mostar. Between 1947 and 1952 in 103rd Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment. Suffered belly landings in February 1949 (left wheel tire fell off on take-off) and February 1950 (engine malfunction). All remaining Spitfires were retired on August 18, 1952.
While others were scrapped or turned into instructional airframes, 9489 (ex JK808) was handed over to Military Museum in Belgrade. It was put on static display first at Kalemegdan (Belgrade fortress) as a part of outdoor Museum exhibition. There it received new coat of paint and an incorrect YAF number 9486. After that it was displayed at Belgrade International Airport, as a part of Belgrade Museum of Aviation exhibition, in a purely fictional paint scheme and markings.
This caused confusion about aircraft true identity. Spitfire with YAF number 9486 was ex-RAF MH592, which ended as instructional airframe at Rajlovac Air Force Technical Training Center, but it is still claimed by some sources (not related to the Museum) to be the aircraft displayed in Belgrade.
Aircraft 9489 (JK808) was thoroughly restored during 1973 by Tehnička direkcija JAT ( JAT Tehnika ) at Belgrade International Airport. After detailed investigation and several paint schemes applied (JK448 code name "W" notably) the true identity of this aircraft was confirmed, based on serial numbers found and archive material as JK808, airframe s/n 17-545, built at Castle Bromwich. An article about restoration and the search for true identity was published in (published in Serbian Cyrillic).
Aircraft on display contains several non-original parts: engine from another aircraft, Soviet-made camera, landing gear parts, re-manufactured instrument panel, standard RAF instruments and other parts from YAF or JAT stocks.
Static DisplaySpitfire HF Mk.VIIIc JF294. South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg. SAAF serial 5501.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire LF Mk.IXe TE213. South African Air Force Museum, AFB Swartkop. Damaged after forced landing on 15 April 2000 and awaiting restoration to static condition SAAF serial 5518.AirworthySpitfire LF Mk XVIe RW386 (SE-BIR). Owned by Biltema and based at Angelholm, Sweden. It wears the authentic markings RW386 / NG-D of 604 (County Of Middlesex) Squadron with which it flew.Static DisplaySpitfire PR Mk.XIX PM627. Marked as F11-51, and issued with Swedish AF serial 31051 to denote it as the 51st Spitfire on Swedish Air Force charge. During the 1950s the Swedish Air Force had fifty Spitfire PR Mk.XIX aircraft, coded 31001 to 31050 but none were retained for museum use. Therefore, when PM627 was acquired by the Flygvapenmuseum, Linköping in the early 1980s a new serial in the series was issued to her. It is fully restored and on permanent static display within the museum. It is a former Indian Air Force machine, with the individual code HS694.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire PR Mk.IV BP923. Under restoration to airworthy condition in the Sollentuna area.Thailand
Static DisplaySpitfire FR Mk.XIVe SM914. Royal Thai Air Force serial KH14-1/93. On display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Bangkok, Thailand It wears Royal Thai Air Force markings with an overall Silver scheme.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire PR Mk.XIX PM630. StoredSpitfire PR Mk.XIX PS836. StoredAirworthySpitfire F Mk.Ia N3200 (G-CFGJ). Owned and operated by the Imperial War Museum, based at Duxford Airfield. Ex 19 Sqn machine, it sports the QV squadron codes it wore when it was shot down on 26 May 1940 in support of the Operation Dynamo evacuation of Dunkirk with Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Stevenson, 19 Sqn OC, at the controls. N3200 was restored to airworthy condition by Historic Flying Limited, Duxford and its first post-restoration flight took place on 26 March 2014 from the airfield. 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).Spitfire F Mk.Ia P9374 (G-MKIA). Owned by the Mark One Partnership LLC, and based at Duxford Airfield. Restored to airworthy condition and made its first post-restoration flight at Duxford on 9 September 2011. It wears the exact colours it wore flying with 92 Sqn from RAF Croydon when shot down on 24 May 1940, P9374 / -J, and it landed on the beach at Calais, France. It was flown by Flying Officer Peter Cazenove, who survived the crash and was taken prisoner by the Germans. He was held in Stalag Luft III and involved in the Great Escape.Spitfire F Mk.Ia X4650 (G-CGUK). Based at Duxford Airfield, previously at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent. Wears the authentic markings X4650 / KL-A from 54 Squadron, which it wore when with the Squadron in 1940.Spitfire F Mk.Ia AR213 (G-AIST). Acquired by Group Captain Allen H. Wheeler on 25 October 1946. In 1968 it flew in the film Battle of Britain. In April 1989 it was acquired by Sheringham Aviation. In 2002 it underwent another restoration, repainted with 57 OTU colours, and coded "JZ-E". It underwent a repaint in early 2013 and emerged as 'P7308 / XR-D' of 71 'Eagle' Sqn.Spitfire F Mk.IIa P7350. Operated by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. It is the only surviving Spitfire from the Battle of Britain still flying and is believed to be the 14th aircraft of the 11,989 built at Castle Bromwich. The aircraft entered service in August 1940 and during the battle served with 266 and 603 Squadrons.Spitfire LF Mk.Vb AB910. Operated by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Built at Castle Bromwich in 1941 and has a front line operational career spanning almost four years. 'AB910' has recently emerged from a period of refurbishment undertaken by ARCo (Aircraft Restoration Company) at Duxford in the colours of Flt Lt Tony Cooper's 64 Squadron aircraft 'SH-L' wearing the inscription 'Peter John I'. Its first post-refurbishment flight was on 9 February 2015 at Duxford, with BBMF OC Sqn Ldr 'Dunc' Mason at the controls.Spitfire F Mk.Vb BM597 (G-MKVB). Owned by the Historic Aircraft Collection and based at Duxford. Wears the markings BM597 / JH-C from 317 (Polish) "Wileński" Squadron, which it wore when it flew with the Squadron.Spitfire F Mk.Vc EE602 (G-IBSY). First post-restoration flight took place on 15 May 2015 at Biggin Hill with Peter Monk at the controls. Restoration carried out over 3 years by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill. It wears the markings EE602 / DV-V from 129 (Mysore) Sqn RAF, along with the authentic inscription 'CENTRAL RAILWAYS URUGUAYAN STAFF' to replicate the markings it wore as a presentation aircraft donated by the British Community in Uruguay.Spitfire LF Mk.Vb EP120 (G-LFVB). owned by The Fighter Collection and based at Duxford. Wears the markings EP120 / AE-A from 402 (RCAF) Squadron, which it wore when it flew with the Squadron.Spitfire Mk.V EP122 (G-CISV). Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent.Spitfire LF Mk.IXb MH434 (G-ASJV). Owned and operated by The Old Flying Machine Company and based at Duxford. Built at Castle Bromwich, MH434 shot down an Fw 190 in 1943 while serving on 222 Squadron. From the 1980s it was usually flown by Ray Hanna, ex-Red Arrows leader and display pilot up until his death in late 2005. 'MH434' has featured at European air shows and has been in many other TV and films including Operation Crossbow, The Longest day, Battle of Britain and Foyle's War . Wears its authentic markings MH434 / ZD-B from 222 Squadron service.Spitfire Tr.9 MJ627 (G-BMSB). Previously owned and operated by Maurice & Peter Bayliss from RAF Waddington, it is now owned by R.V. Aviation and was based at Goodwood with the Boultbee Flight Academy, but is now based at Biggin Hill airfield. Wears the markings MJ627 / 9G-Q from 441 [RCAF] Squadron, which it wore when it flew with the Squadron. It previously wore the codes 9G-PSpitfire LF Mk.IXe MK356. Operated by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Built at Castle Bromwich and delivered to RAF Digby in 1944. Currently wears the markings MK356 / 5J-K complete with D-Day stripes to represent ML214 / 5J-K flown by Squadron Leader Johnny Plagis of 126 Squadron in June 1944.Spitfire F Mk.IX BR601 (G-CIYF). Owned by the Collings Foundation in the USA and under restoration at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent. Previously in storage with AvSpecs Limited, Ardmore Airport, New Zealand. Flew in August 2016 after restoration. Previously registered in the USA as N601FF.Spitfire Tr.9 ML407 (G-LFIX). Owned by Carolyn Grace and based at RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk, it was converted into a two-seat trainer for the Irish Air Corps in the 1950s. It wears the colours it wore when serving with 485 (New Zealand) Squadron, as ML407 / OU-V.Spitfire Tr.9 PT462 (G-CTIX). Owned by the Dragon Flight and based on a private strip in Rhuallt, North Wales. It wears the markings PT462 / SW-A.Spitfire Tr.9 PV202 (G-CCCA). Owned by Historic Flying Ltd and based at Duxford. It was previously wearing the markings PV202 / QV-I of a Mk.I Spitfire from No. 19 Squadron RAF which was based at Duxford, but now wears the markings PV202 / 5R-H to replicate the codes it wore when on No. 33 Squadron RAF strength during 1944.Spitfire HF Mk.IXe RR232 (G-BRSF). Owned by Martin Phillips, operated by the Boultbee Flight Academy and based at Goodwood Aerodrome, West Sussex.Spitfire Tr.9 SM520 (G-ILDA). Restored to airworthy condition and purchased at auction by Steve Brooks, the first person to fly pole-to-pole by helicopter in 2005. Based at Goodwood, it wears the markings 'SM520 / KJ-I'.Spitfire HF Mk.IXe TA805 (G-PMNF). Flies from the former RAF station at Biggin Hill. After the war it was used by the South African Air Force, recovered from a scrap yard, and returned to England in the early 1990s. It wears 234 Squadron markings TA805 / FX-M and is based at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent.Spitfire HF Mk.IXe TD314 (G-CGYJ). Restored to airworthy condition by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar and made its first post-restoration flight at Biggin Hill in December 2013. It wears the colours of 234 Sqn as TD314 / FX-P.Spitfire PR Mk.XI PL965 (G-MKXI). Operated by the Hangar 11 Collection at North Weald. The aircraft conducted over forty operational sorties with 16 Squadron 1944-45. It sports an overall PRU blue scheme with the markings PL965 / -R.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe MV293 (G-SPIT). Owned by The Fighter Collection at Duxford and wears spurious markings MV268 / JE-J, flown by Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson OC 127 Wing, Germany May 1945. Flew again on 11 August 2014 following refurbishment.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe RW382 (G-PBIX). Restored to airworthy condition by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar and made its first post-restoration flight at Biggin Hill in September 2013. It wears the markings of 322 (Dutch) Squadron as RW382 / 3W-P.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TD248 (G-OXVI). Owned by Spitfire Ltd and operated from both Duxford and Humberside. It wears the markings TD248 / CR-S.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE184 (G-MXVI). Operated from both the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent and Germany. It wears the colours and markings of DU-N to represent Mk.IX ML296, the late 1944 personal mount of Flt Lt Otto Smik who was 'B' Flight Commander, 312 (Czech) Squadron. During June 2014 it was briefly marked as ZF-U of 308 (Polish) Squadron to replicate the mount of Jerzy Glowczewski (now aged 92), a veteran who had flown a similarly marked and coded Spitfire on 1 January 1945 when he claimed a FW190 over Ghent, Belgium. The Air Picnic at the Polish Air Museum in Kraków on Saturday 28 June 2014 was attended by both TE184 in these special markings and also Jerzy Glowczewski, allowing him to be reunited with a machine in 'his' markings. TE184 was brought to Poland for this occasion by Jacek Mainka, the first Pole ever to fly a Spitfire into and in Poland. Jacek's late grandfather, Ryszard Kwiatkowski, was a mechanic with 303 and 308 Squadrons during the war and saw Glowczewski off in ZF-U for that mission.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE311. Operated by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Flew again following restoration on 19 October 2012. It wears the markings TE311 / 4D-V from 74 (Tiger) Squadron to represent TB675, the aircraft of Squadron Leader Tony Reeves DFC, who was the Commanding Officer of No 74 Squadron in 1945Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe SM845 (G-BUOS). Imported from Sweden in 2012 following a fatal incident on 21 August 2010, it flew once again at Duxford on 17 December 2013. Owned by Spitfire Ltd and operated from both Duxford and Humberside. It wears the markings of Post-War (July 1950) 28 Squadron based in Hong Kong of overall silver with a red spinner and coded SM845 / -R.Spitfire PR Mk.XIX PM631. Operated by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Built as a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft in November 1945. It currently wears the colours of a PR XIX from No 541 Squadron which performed photographic reconnaissance missions over the Europe from early 1944 to the end of the war.Spitfire PR Mk.XIX PS853 (G-RRGN). Owned and operated by Rolls-Royce plc. PS853 was one of 79 Mk XIXs built at Supermarine, Southampton. On 13 January 1945, it was delivered to the Central Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson before being transferred, less than two months later, to the 2nd TAF's 34 Wing and 16 Squadron RAF at Melbroek, and later Eindhoven, in the Netherlands. With the code "C" it flew some nine operations against Germany V-weapons sites. In September 1945, PS853 was transferred to 268 Squadron RAF and with the end of the war returned to the UK and 29 MU at High Ercall. On 14 July 1957, PS853 was one of the founding aircraft of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Flight (now Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) at RAF Biggin Hill. The aircraft was acquired by Rolls-Royce plc in the mid-1990s.Seafire LF Mk.IIIc PP972 (G-BUAR). Owned by Flying A Services. Post restoration first flight 15 June 2015 with Richard Grace at the controls, planned public debut at the Flying Legends Airshow, Duxford on 11–12 July 2015. It wears a Fleet Air Arm colour scheme to represent the mount of Cmdr. ‘Mike’ Crosley, 880 Sqn when embarked on HMS Implacable, and marked PP972 / N-11-5.Seafire F Mk.XVII SX336 (G-KASX). Owned by Kennet Aviation and flew once again on 3 July 2014 following refurbishment back to airworthy condition at North Weald, Essex.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.Ia K9942. On display at the Royal Air Force Museum, RAF Cosford wearing 72 (Basutoland) Squadron markings as K9942 / SD-D. The markings replicate the ones it wore whilst serving with 'A Flight', 72 Squadron in 1939.Spitfire F Mk.Ia P9444. On display at the Science Museum London wearing 72 (Basutoland) Squadron markings as P9444 / RN-D with whom it served in 1940Spitfire F Mk.Ia R6915. On display at the Imperial War Museum, London. This aircraft flew during the Battle of Britain with 609 Squadron. Among the pilots who flew it were aces Noel Agazarian, who had two victories in this aircraft, and John Dundas, who scored one.Spitfire Mk.Ia X4590. On display as part the Battle of Britain Experience at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, in 609 Squadron markings as X4590 / PR-F. These are the markings it wore when serving with 'A Flight' 609 Squadron from RAF Middle Wallop, October 1940. It is credited with ½ share of Ju-88 whilst being flown by Pilot P/O S. J. Hill on 21 October 1940.Spitfire F Mk.Vb BL614. On display at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, in 222 (Natal) Squadron markings as BL614 / ZD-F. Markings to replicate the colours it wore whilst serving with 222 Squadron during 1943.Spitfire F Mk.Vb BL655. Owned by the Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery Group. This incomplete airframe was recovered from a crash site around 1990 and is on static display at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirby.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc ML427. On display at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum It wears the markings ML427 / HK-A.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe MT847. Has recently moved from the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, and is now to be found on display at the RAF Museum, Hendon. It wears the markings MT847 / AX-H.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe RW388. Located at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. It was formally presented to the City of Stoke-on-Trent in 1972 and was built by the contractor Vickers Armstrong, in Castle Bromwich. It is fitted with a Merlin 266 (Packard) engine. Marked as RW388 / U4-U.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TB752. On display at the Hurricane and Spitfire Memorial Museum at the former RAF Manston in authentic Canadian 403 (Wolf) Squadron markings as TB752 / KH-Z.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE462. On display at the National Museum of Flight, Scotland.Spitfire F Mk.21 LA198. Built in September 1944 at South Marston. Assigned to No 1 Sqn (RAF Manston). On 12 May 1947, allocated to 602 Sqn (City of Glasgow) Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Used in the Battle of Britain film. Aircraft is on display since July 2006 at the reopening of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Glasgow. It wears the markings LA198 / RAI-G to replicate the colours it wore during its 602 Squadron service.Spitfire F Mk.24 PK683. On display at Solent Sky in Southampton.Spitfire F Mk.24 PK724. On display at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon.Spitfire F Mk.24 VN485. A former Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force aircraft on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford it wears an all-over Silver scheme with a Red/White spinner.Seafire F Mk.XVII SX137. On display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton.Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire F Mk.Ia P9372. Under restoration to fly with the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent.Spitfire F Mk.Ia P9373 (G-CFGN). Owned by the Mark One Partnership LLC and in storage at Duxford.Spitfire F Mk.Ia X4276 (G-CDGU). In storage in Kent.Spitfire F Mk.IIa P7540. Was under slow restoration at the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, Dumfries, now under restoration in Yorkshire.Spitfire F Mk.IIa P7816. Remains in storage at the RAF Reserve Collection, Stafford.Spitfire F Mk.IIa P7819 (G-TCHZ). Project owned by Martin Phillips and in storage in the Exeter area.Spitfire F Mk.IIa P8088 (G-CGRM). Substantial cockpit section under restoration in Oxfordshire.Spitfire F Mk.IIb P8208 (G-RRFF). Under restoration with Retro Track and Air Ltd, Dursley, Gloucestershire. http://retrotrackandair.com/Spitfire PR Mk.IV BP926 (G-PRIV). Project in storage.Spitfire F Mk.V AD189 (G-CHVJ). Project in storage in Oxfordshire.Spitfire F Mk.Vb AD540. Under restoration in Buckinghamshire.Spitfire LF Mk.Vc AR501 (G-AWII). Normally maintained in airworthy condition with the Shuttleworth Collection but is currently undergoing major refurbishment, 'AR501' was built by Westland Aircraft at Yeovil and flown by No. 310 (Czech) Squadron at RAF Duxford as AR501 / NN-A in 1942, where it escorted USAAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers. Joined the Shuttleworth Collection in 1961, it featured in the 1969 film The Battle of Britain.Spitfire F Mk.Vb BL688. Under restoration in Buckinghamshire.Spitfire LF Mk.Vb BM539 (G-SSVB). Project in storage in East Sussex.Spitfire F Mk.Vc Trop EF545 (G-CDGY). Project in storage in East Sussex.Spitfire F Mk.Vc Trop LZ844. Stored at Kemble, Gloucestershire.Spitfire LF Mk.VIII JF872 (G-RAAF). Project stored in Lancashire.Spitfire LF Mk.VIIIc JG668 (G-CFGA). Under restoration in Pembrokeshire.Spitfire Tr.8 MT818 (G-AIDN). Owned by the G2 Trust and under refurbishment at Wycombe Air Park (Booker).Spitfire Tr.9 BS410 (G-TCHI). Owned by Martin Phillips. Fuselage transported from Sandown, Isle of Wight and arrived at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar on 21 January 2016 to continue the restoration to full airworthy condition.Spitfire Mk.IX EN179 (G-TCHO). Project owned by Martin Phillips and in storage in the Exeter area.Spitfire F Mk.IXc LZ842 (G-CGZU). Under restoration to flight at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent. It wears the markings LZ842 / EF-F. Restoration is progressing and the Rolls Royce Merlin X has now been fitted. An ex South African Air Force machine, which previously saw service with 93, 232 & 327 Sqns RAF.Spitfire HF Mk.IXe MA764 (G-MCDB). Under restoration to flight at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent. Was previously at Haverfordwest Airport, west Wales with Hull Aero. MA764 originally flew with No 122 Squadron fighter and was shot down near Racquinghem, northern France, on 25 November 1943, and recovered on 24 November 2005.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MJ271. Owned by Historic Flying and in storage at Duxford.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MK912 (G-BRRA). Built in 1944, this Spitfire flew for the RAF both during and after the Second World War for a number of different air forces, until being damaged in 1953. Passing through various collections, it was restored between 1992 and 2000, flying again for the first time on 8 September 2000. Previously owned and flown by Ed Russell in Niagara Falls, Ontario, MK912 was sold in 2011 to Peter Monk and based at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent. Wears the authentic markings MK912 / SH-L. On 1 August 2015, the aircraft suffered a loss of power on take off from Biggin Hill. It was substantially damaged in the ensuing forced landing. The aircraft's owners have pledged to return the aircraft to airworthy status.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe ML119 (G-SDNI). Owned by the G2 Trust and in storage in Buckinghamshire. Ex. Burmese AF as UB441, and ex. Israeli AF as 20-20.Spitfire LF Mk.IXb ML295. Project stored in Kent.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc NH238 (G-MKIX). Owned by Flying A Services and apparently in storage at Greenham Common. To confuse, there is a replica Spitfire at Gilze Rijen AB in The Netherlands which carries postwar 322 Sqn markings as NH238 / H-60, but this is not the original machine.Spitfire Tr.9 NH341 (G-CICK). Rebuilt to airworthy condition with ARCo at Duxford. Restored as a two-seat Tr.9. A former 411 Sqn machine, it wears the codes DB-E to reflect those it wore when in service with the squadron.Spitfire F Mk.IX PT879 (G-BYDE). Owned by the Hangar 11 Collection. Arrived at North Weald, Essex on 17 June 2014, where its restoration to flying condition continues. Previously located at Sandown, Isle of Wight.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe RK858 (G-CGJE). Owned by Historic Flying and in storage at Duxford.Spitfire HF Mk.IXe RK912. In storage at Duxford.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe SM639. In storage in the Surrey area.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe TE517 (G-JGCA). Owned by the G2 Trust and in storage at Biggin Hill, Kent. Ex. Israeli AF as 20-46.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe TE566. In storage at Kemble, Gloucestershire.Spitfire PR Mk.XI PL983 (G-PRXI). Owned by Propshop Ltd and under restoration at Duxford.Spitfire F Mk.XII EN224 (G-FXII). Under restoration to airworthy condition at RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk. Previously stated that would be complete by June 2012.Spitfire F Mk.XIVe RM689 (G-ALGT). Owned by the Rolls Royce Heritage Trust and in storage in Derby.Spitfire F Mk.XIV RM694 (G-DBKL). Owned by the G2 Trust and in storage in Buckinghamshire.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe RM927 (G-JNMA). Owned by the G2 Trust and in storage on the Isle of Wight. Ex. Belgian AF as SG-25.Spitfire F Mk.XIV RN203. Project stored at Duxford.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe RW393. Owned by the RAF Museum and in storage at RAF Stafford.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe SL611 (G-SAEA). Remains in storage in Staffordshire.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe SL542 (N2289J). Imported from Quebec, Canada. Under restoration to airworthy condition.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe SL674. Owned by the RAF Museum and in storage at RAF Stafford.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TB382. In storage on the Isle of Wight.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TB885. Under restoration to flight at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill, Kent.Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe TP298 (N41702). In storage on the Isle of Wight.Spitfire PR Mk.XIX PM651. Owned by the RAF Museum and in storage at RAF Stafford. It recently returned from a brief tour of Kuwait following an agreement between the RAF and the Kuwait House of National Works. Following its arrival in early 2013 the Spitfire has appeared in one of Kuwait’s most popular shopping centres during the Liberation Day Holidays and subsequently supported the British Embassy’s Queen’s Birthday Party in June along with an appearance at the Dubai Airshow.Spitfire PR Mk.XIX PS915. Under major refurbishment at Duxford. Operated by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Entered service too late for the war, joining 541 Squadron at RAF Benson in June 1945. Before entering refurbishment it wore the colours and markings of PS888, a PRXIX of 81 Squadron based at Seletar in Singapore during the Malaya Campaign. This aircraft conducted the last ever operational sortie by an RAF Spitfire when, on 1 April 1954, it flew a photographic mission over an area of jungle in Johore thought to contain hideouts for Communist guerrillas. For the occasion the aircraft’s ground crew painted the inscription ‘The Last!’ on the left engine cowlingSpitfire F Mk.21 LA226. Owned by the RAF Museum and in storage at RAF Stafford.Spitfire F Mk.21 LA255. Owned by the No.1 Squadron Association. This airframe was refurbished at RAF Coningsby by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Summer 2012 before joining the newly formed No.1 Squadron at RAF Leuchars. It wears the markings LA255 / JX-U which are No. 1 Squadron RAF codes.Spitfire F Mk.22 PK519 (G-SPXX). Project stored in Buckinghamshire.Spitfire F Mk.22 PK624. Owned by The Fighter Collection and stored in Hangar 2 at Duxford.Spitfire F Mk.22 PK664. In storage at North Weald, Essex.Seafire LF Mk.IIc MB293 (G-CFGI). Owned by the Mark One Partnership LLC and in storage at Duxford.Seafire L Mk.IIIc RX168 (G-BWEM). Project in storage at Duxford. Project ownership changed to Aircraft Spares & Materials Ltd, Duxford on 20 October 2015. Previously owned by the Mark One Partnership LLC. Delivered to Irish Air Corps as 157, 27 September 1947. Subsequently withdrawn from use and became an instructional airframe at Baldonnel, Dublin, October 1953. Passed to the College of Technology, Dublin, 11 March 1961. Reported broken up & scrapped, 1962. However wings and fuselage parts were acquired, circa 1988, and transported to Battle, UK for restoration. Ownership passed to the Mark One Partnership in May 2006.Seafire F Mk.XV PR432. Project stored in Warwickshire.Seafire F Mk.XV SR462 (G-TGVP). SR462 arrived in the UK on April 2, 2014 having previously been used as a ‘gate guardian’ at Rangoon in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The aircraft has been acquired by Tim Percy, and is currently at North Weald where it is being restored by Kennet Aviation. In a project likely to last between two and three years, SR462 will be rebuilt to airworthy status. While in service with 802 Naval Air Squadron in 1946, SR462 was flown by Tim’s father, Capt T G V Percy OBE DSC, from HMS Venerable. In 1952, the MoD sold the machine to the Burmese Air Force with whom it flew as UB414. It was later bought by William ‘Wes’ Stricker, the US-based owner of PR503 (N503PR), the only Seafire XV currently flying.Seafire F Mk.XVII SX300 (G-RIPH). Owned by Seafire Displays Ltd and under restoration at North Weald, Essex.Seafire F Mk.46 LA546 (G-CFZJ). Stored in Essex.Seafire F Mk.46 LA564 (G-FRSX). Owned by Seafire Displays Ltd and under restoration at North Weald, Essex.Crash-site recoveries (Not classed as surviving aircraft)
Spitfire F Mk.Ia X4593 Archeological dig undertaken during October 2015 by a team from Oxford Archaeology at the aircraft crash site near Holme Lode Farm, Holme, Cambridgeshire. X4593 a machine on charge with 266 (Rhodesian) Sqn RAF, crashed killing its pilot, Pilot Officer Harold Penketh, on 22 November 1940. Parts recovered from the wartime crash-site so far include the "starter motor, control panels from the cockpit, part of the oxygen system and the entire remains of one of the fuel tanks". The aim is to recover the engine. The remains of Pilot Officer Harold Penketh which were recovered during the dig were laid to rest in Hove, near Brighton on 19 November 2015.AirworthySpitfire LF Mk.Vc AR614 (N614VC). Originally purchased by Lynn Garrison from the British Ministry of Defence, in 1963, for inclusion in his Air Museum of Canada collection, it is now owned by the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington. It wears the markings AR614 / DU-Z of 312 Squadron, to replicate the colours it wore when serving with the Squadron.Spitfire F Mk.Vb BL628 (N628BL). Owned by Lewis Air Legends and based at Encinal, Texas. It wears the markings BL628 / YO-D of 401 (RCAF) Squadron at RAF Gravesend, which it wore during 1942 as the personal aircraft of G. B. "Scotty" Murray. BL628 had the name Marion painted on the fuselage just forward of the cockpit after the pilot's girlfriend, and this detail has been faithfully replicated.Spitfire F Mk.Vc JG891 (N5TF). Owned and operated by Comanche Fighters, Texas. JG891 wears the colours and markings of Robert 'Bob' Stanford Tuck's personally coded Mk.V RS-T (Believed to be BL336), when he was OC Biggin Hill Wing in late 1941 / early 1942.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe MJ730 (N730MJ). Owned by Jerry Yagen and based at the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Virginia. In April 1944 MJ730 was assigned to No. 417 Squadron RCAF, then operating in Italy. It flew 95 missions as escort for American bombers over northern Italy. In June 1946, it was transferred to the Italian Air Force. In 1947, MJ730 was used in the film Thunderbolt!, directed by William Wyler. In 1951 it was sold to the Israeli Air Force, and after service ended up in an Israeli playground. In the 1970s, a collector transported it back to Britain for restoration. FedEx founder Fred Smith bought it in 1986. It wears the markings MJ730 / GZ-? ("The CO’s Query") as flown by Sq Ldr Geo. Silvester while in RAF's 32 Sq at Kolomaki, Greece.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MK959 (N959RT). Owned by the Texas Flying Legends Museum. Previously owned by Tom Duffy and based at Millville, New Jersey. It wears the authentic colours and markings MK959 / 5A-K of 329 (Free French) Squadron to reflect its service with the squadron.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc ML417 (N2TF). Owned and operated by Comanche Fighters, Texas. It wears the colours and markings ML417 / 21-T to replicate the scheme it wore during its wartime service with 443 (Hornet) Squadron, and includes the Squadron Hornet motif on the port engine cowling. ML417 was one of the first Allied aircraft to land in France after D-Day.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe PL344 (N644TB). Owned by Tom Blair and based in Easton, Maryland. It wears the spurious personal markings PL344 / TL-B in a nod to its owner.Spitfire LF Mk.IXe SL633 (N633VS). Owned by John Sessions with the Historic Flight Foundation and based at Paine Field, Washington. An historic machine that has served with the Royal Air Force, the Czechoslovakian Air Force, the fledgling Israeli Air Force, and finally the Burmese Air Force. It wears the stunning markings of the Czechoslovakian Air Force as SL633 / JT-10 of the 4th Air Regiment.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe NH749 (N749DP). Owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force, based at Camarillo airport, Southern California. Built in late 1944 'NH749' was shipped to India in July 1945 to serve with the RAF's South East Asia Command (SEAC) squadrons. Rendered surplus to requirements by the Japanese surrender in August 1945 'NH749' was placed in storage and sold to the Indian Air Force in late 1947. In 1978 it was rediscovered and transported to England by the Hayden-Bailey brothers. After restoration to flying condition 'NH749' was sold to Keith Wickenden with the civil registration G-MXIV. 'NH749' was later sold to David Price's Museum of Flying in the United States and was operated from 1985 to 2005 when it was once again sold, this time to the CAF. It wears a SEAC colour scheme with the markings NH749 / -L.Spitfire F Mk.XIVe RN201 (N201TB). Owned by Tom Blair and based at Easton, Maryland. Ex. Belgian AF as 'SG-31'. It wears the markings of a 41 Squadron Mk.21 that was entered into the 1947 Blackpool Air Races, with overall silver accompanied by red cheatlines down the sides of the fuselage as well as out to the wingtips, and a red spinner.Spitfire F Mk.XIVc SM832 (NX54SF). Owned and operated by Comanche Fighters, Texas. It wears the colours and markings of James 'Ginger' Lacey's personal Mk.XIV YB-A (serial RN135), when he was OC No. 17 Squadron RAF in Japan after the War.Spitfire F Mk.XVIIIe SM969 (N969SM). Owned by Lawrence Classics LLC, Bentonville, Arkansas. Previously owned by Jim Beasley and based at Coatsville, Pennsylvania. It wears the stunning markings of a 28 Squadron machine with the codes SM969 / -S, along with Korean War recognition stripes.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.Ia P9306 . On display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It is a Battle of Britain veteran that flew with No. 74 Squadron RAF.Spitfire F Mk.Vb BL370. On display at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. A presentation aircraft "Gurgaon II Punjab", it wears the markings BL370 / SH-J of 64 Squadron RAF. Note - the wings are replicas and not original, hence the lack of radiator.Spitfire F Mk.Vc MA863. On display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. It wears representative Operation Torch markings as MA863 / HL-B, 31st Fighter Group, 308th Fighter Squadron. Ex Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A58-246, it served with 54 Squadron (RAF) in early 1944 as the personal mount of Sqn Ldr E M Gibbs wearing the codes DL-A. Later served with 452 Squadron (RAAF) coded QY-F.Spitfire F Mk.VIIc EN474. The sole surviving example of this mark of Spitfire. On display in the World War II gallery at the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C..Spitfire LF Mk.VIIIc MT719 (N719MT). On display at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Dallas-Addison Airport, Texas. This aircraft served with No. 17 Squadron (RAF) in both India and Burma during 1944/1945. It was transferred to the Royal Indian Air Force at the end of 1947 and served as an instructional airframe. Today it wears the markings and codes worn during its 17 Squadron service as MT719 / YB-J.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MK923 (N521R). On display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington following acquisition in 2000. This Spitfire was formerly owned by the late actor Cliff Robertson. From 1972 until 1994, it was flown by Jerry Billing, a Canadian Second World War Spitfire pilot, until he retired from flying Spitfires at age 75. Billing set a record for most Spitfire experience while flying this Spitfire (52 1⁄2 years). During Robertson's ownership and Billing's pilot tenure with MK923, the aircraft was mainly based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It wears the markings and codes it wore when serving with No. 126 Squadron at RAF Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire in mid to late 1944 as MK923 / 5J-Z.Spitfire PR Mk.XI PA908. On display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. It wears an overall PR Blue colour scheme with spurious markings to represent MB950 of the 7th Photo Reconnaissance Group, based at Mount Farm in Oxfordshire in 1944.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe NH904 (N114BP). On display at the Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, California. Ex Belgian Air Force as SG-108, initially coded B2-K then later IQ-V. It wears spurious marking to represent a Mk.24 Spitfire from No. 80 Squadron RAF based in Hong Kong between 1948-1952, and coded NH904 / W2-P.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe SL574. On display at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, San Diego, California. It wears the spurious markings and codes SL574 / MD-T to represent a Spitfire from No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE356 (N356TE). On display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon. It wears the markings TE356 / D-DE (Port) & DD-E (Starboard)Restoration / Stored (Not on Public Display)Spitfire Tr.9 TE308 (N308WK). Owned by Bill Greenwood and under refurbishment at Fort Collins, Texas. Ex Irish Air Corps as IAC-163. Appeared in the movie Battle of Britain and also used for aerial filming where a camera was placed in the front cockpit allowing 'through the windscreen' shots to be captured, many of which appear in the feature. It wears the spurious markings TE308 / RJ-M as a nod to the designer of the Spitfire, R.J.Mitchell.Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe MV262 (N808U). Owned by Kermit Weeks and in storage at Polk City, Florida.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE384 (N384TE). In storage, San Martin area of California. It wears the spurious markings TE384 / X-VI (Port) & VI-X (Starboard).Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE392 (N97RW). Owned by the Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM) in Galveston, Texas and currently in storage following damage sustained during Hurricane Ike. It spent time serving as a gate guard at a number of RAF airfields, including RAF Kemble and RAF Hereford, between 1952 and 1984. Originally built as a low-back airframe with a 'bubble' canopy, it made its way into civilian ownership and was restored into high-back configuration and flew once again in Florida on Christmas Eve (24 December) 1999. It wears the markings and colours TE392 / ZX-Z to represent the personal mount of Sqn Ldr Lance C. Wade No. 145 Squadron RAF, a Texan who flew with the RAF from 1940 to 1944 and went on to become an Ace.Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe TE476 (N476TE). Owned by Kermit Weeks and under refurbishment at his Fantasy of Flight facility, Polk City, Florida. It wears the markings and colours TE476 / GE-D to represent 'TB900' the personal mount of Sqn Ldr Lallemand OC, 349 (Belgian) Squadron RAF in 1945-1946. The original aircraft, 'TB900', was a presentation Spitfire named "Winston Churchill" and the name is faithfully replicated on Port side of the fuselage just below the cockpit along with the tally of aircraft kills and tank victories. Merlin engine fired up again on 14 January 2015 after 17 years of inactivity.Spitfire FR Mk.XVIIIe TP276. Owned by Frasca Air Museum and in storage, Urbana, Illinois. Ex Indian Air Force as HS653.Seafire F Mk.XV PR503 (N503PR). Owned by Wes Stricker and based at Columbia, Missouri. Potentially airworthy but not flown for some time. It wears the codes PR503 / -K to replicate the markings it wore whilst serving with 803 Squadron Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the late 1940s.Seafire FR Mk.47 VP441 (N47SF). The final variant of the Spitfire family. Owned by Jim Smith and based at his private facility in Montana following restoration by Ezell Aviation. Potentially airworthy but not flown for some time. It wears the codes VP441 / O-139 to replicate the markings it wore whilst serving with 804 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) of the Royal Navy as part of the 14th Carrier Air Group on board the aircraft carrier HMS Ocean in 1948.Static DisplaySpitfire F Mk.22 PK355. On display at the Gweru Military Museum, Gweru, Zimbabwe since 1993. PK355 was built at the Castle Bromwich factory, Birmingham and delivered to the Southern Rhodesian AF as SR.65 on 28 March 1951, it transferred to the Royal Rhodesian AF as RRAF65 in October 1954. After its active service PK355 was initially displayed at the Bulawayo Museum from June 1955 to 1957, then went on to be displayed mounted on a plinth at Thornhill Air Base, Rhodesia between 1960 and 1981. Displayed between 1981 and 1990 at New Sarum Air Base in the Zimbabwe Air Force Museum before transferring to its current location.A number of Spitfire aircraft which survived into post-military ownership have been totally destroyed from differing causes over the last few decades.
Spitfire F Mk.Vc EE606 (G-MKVC). Owned by Charles Church and restored to airworthy condition, first flight 20 November 1988. Crashed and destroyed (due to crankshaft failure) at Hartley Wintney, near Blackbushe, Hampshire UK on 1 July 1989 (Church killed).Spitfire F Mk.IXb BS464. Delivered to French Air Force as BS464, 25 June 1946. Ownership transferred to Musee de l'Air and stored at Chalais-Meudon, Paris, from December 1949 to 1969. On display at Musee de l'Air, Paris-Le Bourget from 1973. Destroyed in a hangar fire, 17 May 1990.Spitfire LF Mk.IXc MK297 (N9BL). Owned by Commemorative Air Force, Midland, Texas. On loan to Canadian Warplane Heritage, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Destroyed in hangar fire 15 February 1993.Spitfire F Mk.22 PK350. Delivered to Southern Rhodesian AF as SR64, 28 March 1951. Delivered to Royal Rhodesian AF as RRAF64, October 1954. Withdrawn from use, 18 December 1954. Displayed on pole at New Sarum AB, Rhodesia, from 1969 to 1977. Acquired by Captain Jack Malloch/Air Trans Africa, Salisbury/Harare, Zimbabwe, 1977. Rebuilt to airworthy condition at Salisbury, first flight 29 March 1980. Wore markings and codes PK350 / JM-M. Encountered a severe hailstorm during an air-to-air photo shoot, crashed and destroyed at Goromorzi, near Harare, Zimbabwe, 26 March 1982 (Malloch killed).
