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Dates |
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Event |
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Constructed as a Spitfire Vb. |
December 1941 |
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First flight.
Flew at Castle Bromwich. |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Air Force with s/n BL614. |
4 January 1942 |
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Transferred to No 8 Maintenance Unit, RAF Little Rissington, Gloucs.
Operational equipment installed. |
7 February 1942 |
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Transferred to No 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, RAF Drem, Edinburgh.
Operated with markings: FY |
8 March 1942 |
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Damaged.
Damaged, evaluated as Cat.B and repaired. |
2 June 1942 |
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Transferred to No 242 (Canadian) Squadron, RAF Drem, Edinburgh.
Operated with markings: KV |
11 August 1942 |
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Transferred to No 222 (Natal) Squadron, RAF Drem, Edinburgh.
Operated with markings: ZD F |
16 August 1942 |
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Transferred to No 222 (Natal) Squadron, RAF Biggin Hill, Kent. |
19 August 1943 |
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Transferred to No 222 (Natal) Squadron, RAF Gravesend, Essex. |
30 August 1943 |
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Damaged.
Damaged, evaluated as Cat.Ac and repaired on site. |
19 September 1943 |
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Transferred to No 222 (Natal) Squadron, RAF Peterhead, Grampian. |
2 November 1943 |
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Transferred to No 3501 Support Unit (General Duties Flight), RAF Cranfield, Beds. |
23 November 1943 |
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Transferred to No 2 School of Technical Training, RAF Cosford, Salop.
Allocated to No 2 with the instructional serial M4354. |
Circa 23 November 1943 |
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New serial number assigned: 4354M RAF |
6 December 1943 |
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To No 6 School of Technical Training, RAF Hednesford, Staffs. |
March 1948 |
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Placed in storage. |
20 April 1948 |
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To No 7 Recruits Centre, RAF Bridgnorth, Salop.
Markings added: 4353M
Incorrectly marked as 4353M. |
3 March 1955 |
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To RAF Credenhill, Hereford.
Markings added: AB871
Displayed as a gate guard. |
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Markings Applied: M4354
The markings were corrected. |
1964 |
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Markings Applied: B871, SH-S
Restored and painted in wartime markings. |
24 October 1967 |
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Loaned to Spitfire Productions Ltd.
Transferred for use in the filming of the movie the Battle of Britain. |
1968 |
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Used in taxy scenes for the filming of the movie the Battle of Britain. |
1968 |
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Repainted at Henlow for filming without external markings. Designated T.6 for taxi aircraft #6. |
March 1968 |
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Engine overhauled at Henlow. |
April 1968 |
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Transported by ground.
Moved to North Weald for use in the taxiing scenes. |
14 May 1968 |
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Spotted taxying at North Weald without any markings. |
15 May 1968 |
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Hit a bump resulting in the aircraft nosing over and breaking the propeller. Replacement prop installed later the same day. |
20 May 1968 |
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Markings Applied: N3327, AI O
Spotted taxying as marked. |
May 1968 |
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Transported by ground.
Sent to Duxford for more filming. |
July 1968 |
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Transported by ground.
Moved to Hawkinge for more filming as marked. |
July 1968 |
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Transported by ground.
Moved to Duxford for more filming as marked. |
24 July 1968 |
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Markings Applied: N3315, BO D
Spotted as marked. |
28 July 1968 |
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Markings Applied: N3315, DO
Spotted as marked. |
6 August 1968 |
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Markings Applied: N3313, EQ D
Spotted as marked. |
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Markings Applied: AI D
Spotted as marked. |
August 1968 |
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Markings Applied: BO D
Spotted as marked. |
12 September 1968 |
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Markings Applied: N3313, AI-D
Spotted as marked. |
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Markings Applied: N3318
Spotted as marked. |
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Markings Applied: N3323
Spotted as marked. |
September 1968 |
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Transported by ground.
Moved to RAF Henlow. |
From September 1968 to October 1968 |
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Restored.
Markings Applied: AB871
Restored by the RAF and Spitfire Productions for restoration. The three 3 blade propeller was reinstalled, the gun stubs were reinstalled, the wing tips were removed. |
October 1968 |
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Placed in storage. |
October 1968 |
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To RAF Henlow.
Returned to the custody of the RAF. |
From 16 September 1969 to By 1970 |
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Transported by ground. Delivered to RAF Wattisham.
Placed in storage at Wattisham. |
27 September 1972 |
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To RAF Colerne Station Museum, Wilts. |
1974 |
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Restored.
Markings Applied: BL614, ZD F |
By 1975 |
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To RAF Museum, RAF Colerne. |
From 28 August 1975 to By 1982 |
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To RAF Museum, RAF Saint Athan. |
8 January 1980 |
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To RAF Abingdon, Berks.
Used for parts and patterns in the repair of the BBMF Spitfire AB910 which had been damaged in a taxying accident. |
September 1981 |
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To RAF Saint Athan. |
From 7 December 1982 to By 1985 |
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Transported by ground. Delivered to Manchester Air Space Museum, Manchester. |
From December 1985 to By 1996 |
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To Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. |
From March 1995 to By 1997 |
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Markings Applied: BL614, ZD F
Restored at Rochester. |
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Rolled out after the restoration. |
March 1995 |
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Contracted to Medway Aircraft Preservation Society for work on the airframe.
Sent to Medway for restoration by volunteers. |
11 September 1997 |
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Restoration completed.
Handed over to the RAF Museum in a ceremondy at the Rochester Airport. |
27 October 1997 |
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To RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London, England.
 View the Location Dossier |
2009 |
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Photographer: Andy West |
11 December 2011 |
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Photographer: Terry Fletcher
Notes: Spitfire Vb is displayed in the Bomber Hall Collection at RAF Museum at Hendon |
11 December 2011 |
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Photographer: Terry Fletcher
Notes: Spitfire Vb on display in the Historic Hangars Collection at the RAF Museum at Hendon |
14 November 2024 |
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Photographer: Keith Bollands
Notes: Still at the RAF Museum Hendon, but now elevated in Hangar 1. |
