Supermarine Spitfire Mk HFIX, G-PMNF / CBAF.10372, Private
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: G-PMNF
Construction Number: CBAF.10372
Code Number: TA805 FX-M
Model Supermarine Spitfire Mk HFIX
Operator: Private
Airport: Exeter (EXT / EGTE), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 30/05/2010
Date Submitted: 14/09/2010
Known as 'The Kent Spitfire', this beautiful aeroplane was photographed at Exeter where she stopped for fuel en-route to a display in Newton Abbott piloted by Dan Griffith. Built at Castle Bromwich in 1944 she was initially delivered to No. 39 Maintenance Unit in December of that year. The following year she was issued to No. 183 (Gold Coast) Squadron at RAF Chilbolton, Hampshire on the 17th June. On the 27th July 1945 TA805 was transferred to No. 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron at RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk. After being struck off charge she was acquired by the South African Air Force in late 1948 and was shipped to them in early 1949. Her service with the SAAF ended in 1954 and she was sold as scrap to the South African Metal and Machinery Company at Salt River, Cape Town. The remains of several Spitfires were recovered from this scrap yard in 1981 by a party from the SAAF Museum and were placed into storage at Snake Valley. Some of these aircraft were then aquired by Spitfire restorer Steve Atkins, and transported to England in 1989. She was purchased by her current owner in April 1996 and there followed a partial restoration by Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight. She was then moved in March 2003 to the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford for completion. She was painted in the markings that she wore when first delivered to No. 234 Squadron and she took to the air once more in December 2005. She is currently based at Biggin Hill.
Picture ID:1252465