Supermarine MkLF Vb Spitfire G-LFVB EP120 CBAF 2403 [AE-A], Imperial War Museum, Duxford

EP120 is one of four airworthy examples of the Mk V Spitfire anywhere in the world, although there are others undergoing restoration at the moment. The machine was taken on charge to the RAF in 1942 and spent time with 501 Sqn, where she accounted for a Do 17 at the hands of the Wing Commander.

 

She then spent some time in Cornwall with 19 Sqn and was later taken on to the strength of 402 RCAF Sqn. At the same time the Sqn commander changed and the new boss adopted EP120 as his machine, although other squadron pilots flew her during the period she was with 501. Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Northcott accounted for seven German aircraft over the year or so following his joining 501 Sqn, six of them whilst he was flying EP120. At seven kills, she is the most credited Mk V in existence - and maybe the most credited WWII fighter.

 

An accident cut short her career with 501 squadron, and she returned to Castle Bromwich for repairs. After service with 19 sqn and 402 she was allocated to an OTU, a ground instructional role and several gate guard posts in the following years.

 

She was a static aircraft in the Battle of Britain film - in 1967/68, and then found her way back on to the gate at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk where she was lovingly cared for and restored until the RAF reconsidered the long term fate of all their Spitfires. She joined all the remaining RAF Spitfires in store at RAF St Athan, in South Wales, until she was liberated by the Fighter Collection in 1993.

 

EP120 was airframe overhauled by Historic Flying at Audley End, a stones throw from Duxford, and actually flew again in September 1995.

 

She starred in the Flying Legends show at Duxford in July 1996. She has flown on a regular basis since that time, proving popular with both the crowds and the pilots.

 

In 2000, EP120 was the lead Spitfire in the major feature film Pearl Harbour.

 

fighter-collection.com/pages/aircraft/spit_v/index.php

 

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