Spitfire. Supermarine Spitfire LFXVI at an air display. This one is owned by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. Second World War fighter plane
SPITFIRE MKXVI RW382 RW382 was ordered in 1944 and built in 1945 as a low-back powered by a Packard Merlin 266, and delivered from Castle Bromwich to MU at Brize Norton on 20th July. It's first unit was No. 604 squadron RAuxAF, where it arrived on 1st April 1947, serving until 14th April 1950, when it was retired to MU Lyneham. '382 then Joined Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Exeter (coded “A”) on 11th June, transferring to the Control and Reporting School at Middle Wallop on 17th October. Retirement came on 14th July 1953, when it flew to MU at Kinloss, moving on to MU at High Ercall two weeks later. It was struck off charge on 14th December 1954. '382 was allocated to squadron at Church Fenton as an instructional airframe with the serial 7245M on 28th November 1955, then spending 1957-1973 at RAF Leconfield on external display as a gate guard. Use in the Battle of Britain film followed in 1968 where it was only used for static scenes. After filming was completed it was refurbished and was taken to RAF Uxbridge where it was mounted on a pole for the next fifteen years. In August 1988, '382 was removed and taken to Audley End for restoration to flying condition. Just under three years later RW382 took to the air once more. In 1994 '382 was sold to an American owner, who's son tragically lost his life when the Spitfire crashed in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The wreckage was recovered and returned to the UK in 2001 for storage as a possible rebuild project. 2008 saw the aircraft begin a second rebuild. The completed fuselage was then moved to Biggin Hill for assembly by The Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) Limited. The first flight after its second restoration was carried out by Clive Denney on 18th September 2013. The aircraft flies in the colours of 322 (Dutch) Squadron - the only Dutch Squadron to be based at Biggin Hill.
Size: 5599px × 3709px
Location: Damyns Hall, Essex, UK
Photo credit: © Avpics / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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