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Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V AR501 was built by Westland Aircraft at Yeovil as a Mark VC and issued in 1942 to No. 310 (Czech) Squadron based at Duxford. During 1942 and 1943 she undertook escort duties to USAAF bombers, including the famous ‘Memphis Belle’, of the 91st Bombardment Group.

 

After World War Two, AR501 was used as an instructional airframe at Loughborough College before being acquired by the Shuttleworth Collection in 1961. The aircraft, civil registration G-AWII, is seen at the Shuttleworth Festival of Flight at Old Warden Aerodrome on 29 June 2025.

 

A total of 20,351 Supermarine Spitfires were built, according to the Royal Air Force. They were produced between 1938 and 1948. The Spitfire holds the distinction of being the most produced British combat aircraft before, during, and after World War II. There were 24 main marks of Supermarine Spitfire, with numerous sub-variants, produced throughout its lifespan.

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Uploaded on July 8, 2025