The aircraft also claimed several of the German jet fighters and was used in interception of high-speed German rockets headed to English soil. Tens of thousands were ultimately produced and rivaled the qualities of the competing German Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf 190 types. The type survived the war in a plethora of variants - the notable marks numbering 20 - and was developed into a navalized form as the "Seafire". The type earned its status as one of the finest fighter aircraft ever made thanks to its involvement in the Battle of Britain and forged its legacy through the dark years of World War 2. It was able to reach 350mph when first produced, but this speed was eventually increased by around 35 per cent.The Supermarine Spitfire the legendary British fighter aircraft developed prior to World War 2.
The Spitfire entered service in 1938 as the first all-metal monoplane and the fastest aircraft in the RAF. I have flown it and it is lovely to fly.'
It shot down a Focke-Wulf-190 in the Second World War and is a very early Mark IX which is very rare. Richard Grace, of the Aircraft Sales Company, added: 'This is the most original Spitfire flying in the world. 'During 1968 the aircraft starred in one of the most famous movies of all time, 'The Battle of Britain', released September 1969.' 'During 'Ramrod 242', it was a mission to escort 12 Mitchell bombers detailed to attack the Amiens Marshalling Yards. The seller added: 'On the 24th September 1943, MH415 claimed a FW-190 'victory' north-west of Amiens in France whilst being flown by F/O Desmond F. MH415 is one of the most original airworthy Spitfires in the world.' 'A truly remarkable aircraft with documented WWII combat history. 'Right through to the commencement of its restoration in 2015 and completed to airworthiness 2021. The plane, which sports RAF 222 (Natal) livery as flown in the 1940s, will now land in one lucky owner's air hanger, but will set them back approximately £4.5million, after going under the hammer at auction.Īfter a lengthy restoration process by Vintage Fighter Restorations, in which the team used existing components rather than modern replacements, the iconic Spitfire was returned to Sywell Aerodome in Northamptonshire last year.Īuctioneers The Aircraft Sales Company said: 'MH415 stayed fully assembled, other than for shipping and maintenance, from its date of manufacture. It would later wow crowds at airshows across the United States. MH415 counted at least one German FW-190 light aircraft among its victory marks.īut the Spitfire would hit new heights when it played a starring role in the 1962 American epic 'The Longest Day' and The Battle of Britain in 1969. Records show MH415 had a distinguished operational record during the Second World War when it was often involved in the thick of the action when flown over the European theatre by C.O Squadron Leader Gonay. It would later participate in sweeps across the continent with RAF 222 (Natal) Squadron, before being retired in 1945 and ending up at De Havilland's at Whitney, Oxfordshire. Originally constructed in 1943 at Castle Bromwich, the aircraft was delivered to RAF Squadron 129, then stationed at Hornchurch in August that year. MH415, as the Spitfire's tail number reads, has been brought back to its brilliant best with up to 95 cent of its original parts making it ready to dominate the skies once again. The 79-year-old warplane spent 40 years in a Texas barn before being shipped to Australia for restoration five years ago, and was finally sent back to its homeland in Britain where it will be sold. An historic Spitfire that downed German aircraft during the Second World War before starring in a string of Hollywood hit films in the 1960s is set to sell for a record £4.5million.
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