Supermarine Spitfire Mk PRXIX, G-RRGN / 6S/594677, Rolls-Royce
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: G-RRGN
Construction Number: 6S/594677
Code Number: PS853 / C
Model Supermarine Spitfire Mk PRXIX
Operator: Rolls-Royce
Airport: Duxford (QFO / EGSU), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 09/07/2005
Date Submitted: 19/04/2009
Rolls-Royce's own Spitfire PR.XIX taxying out at Flying Legends 2005. Originally delivered to the Central Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson on 13 January 1945, she was transferred only six weeks later to 16 Squadron, based initially at Melsbroek then later at Eindhoven. She then served with 268 Squadron then again with 16 Squadron which had re-formed at Celle. With the end of World War II she returned to the UK by March 1946 into the care of 29MU at High Ercall. In July 1950 she was converted for Meteorological Research and was delivered to the THUM (Temperature and Humidity) flight at Hooten Park shortly afterwards. The flight moved to Woodvale in 1951 and PS853 served until she was retired after making her last THUM flight on 9 June 1957. Shortly thereafter she became part of the newly created Memorial Flight. Following a brief period with 32MU at St Athan she moved to Biggin Hill on 20 December 1957 to be allocated to the Station Flight, moving to the North Weald Station Flight and then the Central Fighter Establishment at West Raynham on 14 April 1958. Here, she was struck off charge becoming the station's gate guard as 7548M. She remained here until 1961 when she was surveyed and delivered to 19MU to be restored to flying condition, returning to West Raynham in November 1962, remaining on charge until transferred to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on 14 April 1964. In 1967 she was allocated for the film 'The Battle of Britain' and wore the codes N3316, N3321/AI-G, AI-M and EI-K. Returning to the BBMF, she was repainted in 1973 in the authentic PRU blue scheme that she wears today. During 1985/86 she was fitted with an ex-Shackleton Griffin 58 engine replacing her original Griffin 66 which was becoming time-expired. She was sold to Euan English early in 1995 but was sold again to Rolls-Royce in September 1996.
Picture ID:1168865