Hello everyone.
I was wondering if I could confirm and get a little more info about this aircraft.
Since it is in my local area, it would be fun to find out the history of this 1944 spitfire.
On the website:
http://www.warbirddepot.com/aircraft_fighters_spitfire-greenwood.asp
Quote:
In 1946 Supermarine converted Mk.VIII MT818 into a two-seat trainer. The cockpit was moved forward 13 1/2" and a second cockpit was added behind it with a separate sliding hood. The pupil sat in the front cockpit and the instructor in the rear. MT818 first flew in this configuration in August 1946. Twenty Spitfire IXs were converted to two-seat trainers for the following customers; 3 for Holland, 10 for India, 1 for Egypt and 6 for Ireland.
Spitfire HF IXc TE308 was originally built with a Merlin 70 as a high altitude fighter, but was bought by Vickers in July 1950 and converted to a two-seat trainer and supplied to the Irish Air Corp as 163. In 1968 it was sold to civilian hands and joined the mass of airframes at Elstree Airfield for the movie Battle of Britain, and was used as a camera aircraft with the camera in the front seat. All forward-looking shots in the film were taken this way. It was acquired by Bill Greenwood in 1983 and wears the markings RJ-M in tribute to the Spitfire designer, Reginald J. Mitchell.
First question is: PeterA wrote:
You might be interested to know that BillG's TE308 started life as a rare low-back fuselage Mk IX Spitfire with a 'teardrop' canopy and was originally painted and destined for the Egyptian Air Force.
PeterA
PeterA,
I see that several were converted. Do you have a source that confirms that TE308 was the "one" for Egypt? Do you have any pictures? If so I would love to see them (if possible). The earliest pic from Dave C shows it when it went to private hands.
Are the other spitfires still in use?
EDIT:
sorry... on further review... PeterA... I see you know much about this plane.
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ht=#125822
PeterA wrote:
I had considerable discussion with Don Plumb before he undertook this modification...
That is most likely confirms it . It still would be neat to hear the history if you have it.
Question 2:Ontario-Warbird wrote:
Here are a few images i have collected for the Jerry Billing site.
http://www.jerrybilling.com/jerry_billi ... _te308.htmCheers Dave C
Dave C,
Great Link!!!!!!
Is there any way to find the newspaper... or do you have a complete image of the news-clipping ("World War fighter is reborn -- and flies")?
I bet that article may have most of the information that I am looking for on it.
Question 3: Quote:
for the movie Battle of Britain, and was used as a camera aircraft with the camera in the front seat. All forward-looking shots in the film were taken this way.
Bill, or anyone...
Is this clip from MGM Battle of Britain the wing of the TE308?
Thanks for any information you can provide. I have learned much from this site, and enjoy reading what you guys post.
Best Regards,
BlueDharma