| Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. IXe serial number ML417 in flight over Duxford Aerodrome, Cambridge, United Kingdom. This aircraft was delivered to 443 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during Spring, 1944. During combat, it was credited with 2 Messerschmitt Bf-109s destroyed, 1 damaged; 1 Focke-Wulf Fw-190 Damaged. On October 31, 1946, rebuilt as a LF Mk. IXe trainer 2-seat aircraft and issued new construction number 6S-735188. For the next 20 years, flew with the Indian Air Force as HS543. In 1968, relegated to the Indian Air Force Museum at Palama Air Force Base. In March 1972, shipped to Fort Collins, Colorado, United States by Senator Norman E. Gaar (September 29, 1929 – May 27, 2016) and Richard Moore (June 9, 1930 – July 6, 2012), where it flew until 1980. Purchased by B.J.S. Grey (???? – ????) of Duxford, United Kingdom, June 11, 1980; shipped to the United Kingdom on August 7, 1980. Operated by the Fighter Collection, Duxford, from January 29, 1981 – 2001. Converted to single-seater on February 10, 1984. Sold to Thomas H. Friedkin, (August 29, 1935 – March 14, 2017) Spitfires Incorporated, Chino, California, December 2001; shipped to the United States on December 12, 2001. Based at Planes of Fame as N2TF. This Spitfire Was at Duxford in September 2024. Spitfire FR Mk. XIV MV293 was built at Supermarine’s Keevil facility in late 1944. Delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1945. Allocated to the Number 33 Maintenance Unit and stored at RAF Lyneham. Flew with the Indian Air Force as Number 48, December 1947. Changed to T-20. Located to IAF Technical College, Jalahali, Bangalore. Sold to Warbirds of Great Britain Limited, Blackbushe in 1978. Arrived in the United Kingdom on May 26, 1978; sold to Doug Arnold (1919 – 1992) of Great Britain Limited, December 29, 1979. Registered as G-BGHB. Flew out of Blackbushe as G-SPIT from 1979-1985. Sold to the Fighter Collection at Duxford in 1985. Restored at Duxford until 1992. 1st flight at Duxford on August 14, 1992. Repainted at Duxford as MV268/JE-J in 2000. Photo by Lynne Sladky (born September 11, 1954). | |
| Image Filename | wwii1729.jpg |
| Image Size | 195.19 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1600 x 1169 |
| Photographer | Lynne Sladky |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 30, 1998 |
| Location | |
| City | Duxford |
| State or Province | Cambridgeshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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