Spirit of Kent Spitfire IXe TA805, otherwise known as the Kent Spitfire, is based at the historic former RAF Battle of Britain base Biggin Hill
During the dark days of the Battle of Britain, the sight and sound of a Hurricane and Spitfire overhead gave hope and encouragement to the civilians caught up in the war. It was however the Spitfire that became the icon of the battle. With victory in 1945 thousands of Spitfires were scrapped and only the later marks were to continue in RAF service until the late 1950’s. One aircraft built just before the war ended was a Spitfire Mk9 serialed TA805. It was built at the Supermarine works at Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands and started its career with the RAF at 29 Maintenance Unit in December 1944. It joined 183 (Gold Coast) Squadron based at Chilbolton on the 17th June 1945. The squadron were then converting from the Hawker Typhoon to the Spitfire. It did not however stay long with 183 being transferred to 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron at Bentwaters in Suffolk on the 27th July. This squadron had converted from the Mustang to the Spitfire and were shortly due to fly down to Hawkinge in Kent to attend a Practice Armament Camp. After one month the squadron returned to Bentwaters where, with the cessation of war, 234 Squadron were to be part of a wing of 24 Squadrons led by the legendary Battle of Britain ace and later famous test pilot, Wg Cdr Roland P Beamont DSO and Bar DFC. This wing flew the 1945 Battle of Britain commemoration flight over London in September and it is possible that TA805 was one of the aircraft taking part. TA805 was then struck off charge and shipped to the South African Air Force in early 1949. The mortal remains of TA805 arrived at the Airframe Assemblies works, Sandown, Isle of Wright in early 1992. Having previously been in storage in Sussex. The dormant period continued for another 3 years or so until the current owners acquired the aircraft. Work to return her to flying condition started in early 1996. Today TA805 bears the inscription ‘Spirit of Kent’ emblazoned on the fuselage and is a reminder of those days when Kent was at war
Size: 3850px × 2551px
Location: Damyns, Essex, UK
Photo credit: © Avpics / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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