THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

SPITFIRES

Spitfires were gathered from all around the world to become a part of the temporary air force
used to film the movie. Some were flyable, some were not, and some were replicas built
specifically for background scenes in the movie.
 

Here we see eleven of the twenty Spitfires collected for the movie, in a hangar at Henlow in 1967.
(photos from Air Pictorial Magazine, September 1967)


One of the earliest Spitfires to have been preserved, this Mk.1 (K-9942) had previously
been on display at Bicester before playing its part in the movie.
(photo from Air Pictorial Magazine, September 1967)


Spitfire F.21 (LA226) was dismounted from its pole at Little Rissington to join the movie.
(photo from Air Pictorial Magazine, September 1967)


Spitfire G-ASSD was one of the Mk.IX's used in the movie.
(photo from Air Pictorial Magazine, September 1967)


Mahaddie also acquired ex-Belgian Spitfire Mk.IX OO-ARD (later redesignated G-AVDJ) for his air force.
(photo from Air Pictorial Magazine, September 1967)


Mk IIA P7350, registered as G-AWIJ for the film, at Duxford in June 1968.
(photo by Mike Springett via Aircraft Magazine)


Twin-cockpit Spitfire Tr IX G-AWGB was also used as a camera ship, seen here at Cambridge in August 1968.
(photo by R.A. Edwards via Aircraft Magazine)


The same twin seat Spitfire seen above broke a con-rod and had to make a dead stick belly landing.
No one was hurt and the aircraft was repaired for further duty.
(photo from Flight International Magazine, September 11, 1969)


A darned good looking replica Spitfire, though the way it sits on its landing gear gives it away.
(photo by Mike Springett via Aircraft Magazine)



 

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

A follow-up on some of the Spitfires used in the movie - and where they currently reside:

AR213 MI Ia (A) is now owned by Victor Gauntlett and now wears the markings of 'PR-D' of 610 Squadron.
This Spitfire played a small part in the miniseries "Piece of Cake".
(research by Peter R Arnold as appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)


The third aircraft restored to flying status for the movie, AR501 MkVc (A) is still part of the Shuttleworth Trust.
It now wears the markings of a Czech squadron.
(research by Peter R Arnold as appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)


BM597 Mk Vb (S) was used for the the master molds used to create the fiberglass replicas. Formerly on display at Church Fenton, it was shipped to the Essex base of Tim Routsis in May of 2007 for a complete restoration to flight worthiness. It was recently registered as G-MKVB.
(research by Peter R Arnold as appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)


P7350 Mk IIa (A) is a Ministry of Defense aircraft that was transferred to the Battle of Britain flight
after filming was completed. It continues to serve in that role, being based at RAF Coningsby.
(research by Peter R Arnold as appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)


AB910 Mk Vb (A) is another Battle of Britain flight aircraft also based at RAF Coningsby. Having suffered accidents in 1972 and in 1976 (pictured above), it was written off after a taxiing collision in Switzerland in 1979. Since then, however, a three year restoration has seen it return to its flying duties.
(research by Peter R Arnold as appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)


BL614 Mk Vb (T) carried the serial of AB871 during the filming of the movie, which was later corrected to BL614. It is shown above on temporary display at Guildhall yard, London to promote the movie in September 1969. In 1982 it was installed at the Air and Space Gallery of the Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, now wearing 'ZD-F' livery.
(research by Peter R Arnold as appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)
 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
more pics to come!

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