You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
P7350 is the oldest airworthy Spitfire in the world and the only Spitfire still flying today to have actually fought in the Battle of Britain. She is believed to be the 14th aircraft of 11,989 built at the Castle Bromwich shadow factory, Birmingham. Entering service in the August of 1940, she flew in the Battle of Britain serving with 266 Squadron and 603 (City of Edinburgh) AuxAF Squadron. Whilst serving with the latter at Hornchurch, on or about 25 October 1940, she was involved in a combat with ME Bf 109s and forced to crash land. She was quickly repaired at No 1 Civilian Repair Unit, Cowley, and flew again on 15 November, only 3 weeks after the crash landing; repaired bullet holes can still be seen on her port wing. She subsequently served operationally with 616 and 64 Squadrons. After April 1942 she was relegated to support duties serving with the Central Gunnery School and 57 OTU and ending her operational career with 19 MU. During the War, P7 suffered three Cat B flying accidents (at Tangmere, Hornchurch and Sutton Bridge).
Having survived the War, P7 was then sold for scrap to Messrs. John Dale Ltd in 1948 for the princely sum of £25; fortunately the historical significance of the aircraft was recognised and she was generously presented to the RAF museum at Colerne. Restored to flying condition in 1968 for the epic film The Battle of Britain, she was presented to the BBMF after filming was completed.
Since 1999 P7350 has been painted to represent Spitfire Mk Ia XT-D (L1067) Blue Peter of No 603 Squadron, this being the personal aircraft of the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader George Denholm DFC. P7350 is not due for repaint for another 2 years and last season we decided to temporarily paint her as XT-W, the letters she wore when she was forced down with Pilot Officer Ludwik Martel at the controls. After a successful photoshoot, she reverted to XT-D. However, our most frequent veteran visitor is Gerald Stapme Stapleton, who wrote the introduction for this years brochure and website, and having served all the way through the Battle of Britain on 603 Sqn, it seemed appropriate to repaint P7350 as his aircraft XT-L.
February 17th, 2008, 04:29 PM
Similar Threads
