The Making of the film:
The survivors
Spitfire Mk.Vb BL614
Squadrons:
Type: VS349
Engine: Merlin 45
Serial No. /Reg. BL614
Sqdn - code: 611-FY-, 242-LE-, 222-ZD-F, 64-SH-, 118-NK-
Role in film: Taxi, Currently: - Display
History
Ordered as one of a batch of 1000 Mk.VB aircraft (serials BL231 - BM653) on 24th October 1940, built by Vickers-Armstrongs at its Castle Bromwich plant against contract No.B981687/39; originally ordered as Mk.III aircraft and delivered between Nov 1941 and May 1942, including the serial block BL613-647.
41 Built at Castle Bromwich with the constructors number CBAF.1646.
Dec 41. First flight from Castle Bromwich
4 Jan 42 To No.8 Maintenance Unit RAF Little Rissington, Gloucs, for fitting with operational equipment.
7 Feb 42 To No. 611(West Lancashire) Squadron at RAF Drem, near Edinburgh coded FY-.The squadron was being rested following a very active period of fighter sweeps with No.11 Group, and was involved with convoy escort patrols.
18 Feb 42 First operational sortie; patrol over Firth of Forth, flown by Flight Sergeant W.L. Miller, 11.15 12.45 hours.
27 Feb 42 Scramble; Sgt. C.E. Graysmark, 17.30 18.30.
8 Mar 42 Suffered Cat.B damage during operations. Repaired in works. BL614s history becomes unclear at this point; The movement card records this damage with no further use until June, whereas No. 611 Squadrons ORB records six operational sorties between 16 March and 23 May, listed below, as recorded in Spitfire Mark V in Action by Peter Caygill (X002-8712).
16 Mar 42 Scramble, F/Sgt Boyle, 16.40 16.55.
26 Mar 42 Scramble, Sgt. Rogers, 16.15 16.45; the same pilot made a dusk patrol from 19.20 20.40.
29 Mar 42 Convoy Patrol, F/Sgt D.A. Bye, 08.05 09.25
9 Apr 42 Convoy Patrol, F/L Edwards, 20.55 21.40.
23 May 42 Scramble, F/L W.M. Gilmour, 06.30 06.50.
2 Jun 42 Returned to Drem to serve with No.242 (Canadian) Squadron, Coded KV-
7 Jun 42 First operational sortie with No. 242 Squadron; Scramble, F/Sgt Mather, 13.20 13.50. Scramble same evening, Sgt. Hampshire, 21.10 22.40.
16 Jun 42 Scramble, F/Sgt Buist, 06.55 07.10. Night Flying Practice/Patrol same evening F/L Benham, 23.45 01.45.
18 Jun 42 Convoy Patrol, F/L Benham, 23.30 00.20.
7 Jul 42 Scramble, Sgt. Sullivan, 08.50 09.35. Scramble same afternoon, F/L Benham, 13.25 14.35.
15 Jul 42 Scramble, Sgt. Hamblin, 12.55 13.20.
22 Jul 42 Scramble, Sgt. Hamblin, 20.30 20.40.
23 Jul 42 Convoy Patrol, Sgt. Hamblin, 06.20 07.55.
11 Aug 42 Transferred to No.222 (Natal) Squadron, which had moved from Winfield to Drem the previous day, coded ZD-F - No.242 Squadron had moved to RAF North Weald that month, leaving BL614 behind.
16 Aug 42 Squadron moved to RAF Biggin Hill, Kent to cover the landings at Dieppe (Operation Jubilee) three days later.
Former ground crew to BL614 have confirmed that during the Dieppe action the aircraft was damaged in the wings, possibly by small-arms fire, particularly in the flaps and ailerons, and the front section of the fin - the resulting patch repairs remain visible on the aircraft today.
17 Aug 42 Feint Ramrod sortie, Beach Head Area, Sgt. J.W. MacDonald, 15.20 16.00.
18 Aug 42 Flown by Sgt. J.W. MacDonald on a Rodeo in the Calais/Cap Gris Nez area, altitude 19,000 feet, 13.05 14.35, and also on an evening patrol by Sgt. J. Ekbery, 19.10 20.30.
19 Aug 42 For Operation Jubilee, flown by Sgt. MacDonald on an early morning patrol off Dieppe, 05.53 07.35, with another, providing withdrawal cover for ground and naval forces, again uneventful, in the evening, 17.00 18.20.
20 Aug 42 Squadron returned to Drem.
22 Oct 42 Squadron moved to RAF Ayr, Strathclyde, and continued the convoy escort patrols operated from Drem.
29 Nov 42 Patrol, Sgt. C.A. Joseph, 15.30 17.00.
16 Mar 43 Local flight from Ayr by PO Gordon Braidwood.
31 Mar 43 To the newly arrived No. 64 Squadron, also based at Ayr, coded SH-V (The Squadron had arrived on 28 March). The Squadron practised carrier landings and undertook convoy patrols, reconnaissance flights and Air Sea Rescue searches. No.222 Squadron had moved via Martlesham Heath to Rochford, Essex, four days earlier leaving BL614 behind.
11 Apr 43 Convoy patrol, Sgt. D. Ledington, 12.00 12.45.
16 Apr 43 Convoy patrol, P/O B.C. Kelly, 07.20 09.10.
19 May 43 Convoy patrol, P/O F.R. Burnard, 21.05 22.35.
28 May 43 Convoy Patrol, P/O B.C. Kelly, 12.30 14.00.
6 Jun 43 Convoy patrol, Sgt. C.A. Rice, 19.55 21.35.
27 Jul 43 Convoy patrol, Sgt. A. Pugh, 17.25 18.55.
7 Aug 43 No.64 Squadron moved to Friston, Sussex.
15 Aug 43 Patrol between Beach Head and Shoreham, F/O B.C. Kelly, 13.15 14.00.
17 Aug 43 Patrol, F/O B.C. Kelly, 0500. 06.20.
19 Aug 43 Unit moved to RAF Gravesend, Essex.
30 Aug 43 Suffered Cat.Ac damage at Gravesend - repaired on site.
6 Sep 43 Escorting USAAF. B.26s on attack on Amiens marshalling yards F/O K.V. Calder. 17.10 18.45. This and the ensuing five sorties were as close escort for medium bombers attacking airfields and marshalling yards in northern France during Operation Starkey.
7 Sep 43 Escorting USAAF B-25 Mitchells attacking St. Omer. Sgt. J.D.M. Duncan, 07.40 08.55.
8 Sep 43 Escorting Mitchells attacking Vitry en Artois, F/L G.B. Silvester, 09.30 11.00. Same evening, escorted Mitchells attacking Boulogne, F/O K.V. Calder, 17.05 18.25.
9 Sep 43 Escorting Lockheed Venturas attacking Merville; F/O Calder, 14.15 15.45.
11 Sep 43 Returned to No.64 Squadron, now based at RAF West Malling, Kent, where it was involved in bomber escort and coastal anti-shipping strafing attacks.
13 Sep 43 Rodeo 253 Le Touquet Abbeville; F/O Calder, 17.45 19.10.
14 Sep 43 Escorting USAAF Marauders on attack on Lille Nord, F/L Silvester, 16.55 18.10.
25 Sep 43 No.64 Squadron moved to RAF Coltishall, Norfolk and BL614, together with other 64 Squadron Spitfire Vbs transferred to No.118 Squadron, coded NK-E, on 19th September. The squadron had just moved to RAF Peterhead, Grampian, with a detachment at Skaebrae as air defence for northern Scotland.
22 Sep 43 Patrol, Sgt. S.V. Piper, 08.10 08.35.
25 Sep 43 Dusk Patrol, P/O J.M. Hemstock, 17.45 19.30.
28 Sep 43 Dusk patrol, F/Sgt. F.L. Spencer.
10 Oct 43 Scramble, F/Sgt. Spencer, 18.00 18.45.
13 Oct 43 Patrol, Sgt. D.G. Ballard, 07.15 08.30.
14 Oct 43 Patrol, Sgt. R.A. Hamilton, 07.10 08.10. BL614s last recorded operational sortie.
19 Oct 43 Squadron moved to RAF Castletown, Highland, with a detachment still at Peterhead.
2 Nov 43 To No.3501 Support Unit (General Duties Flight), RAF Cranfield, Beds.
23 Nov 43 Allocated to No.2 School of Technical Training, RAF Cosford, Salop with the instructional serial M4354.
6 Dec 43 To No.6 School of Technical Training at nearby RAF Hednesford, Staffs. At this point the history of BL614 becomes entangled with that of fellow Mk.V M4353. (AB871) It would appear that these non-standard maintenance serials were applied to the wrong aircraft. The real AB871 was scrapped at RAF St.Athan in the early 1950s.
Mar 48 Remaining Mk.V Spitfires stored by RAF struck off charge.
20 Apr 48 To No.7 Recruits Centre, RAF Bridgnorth, Salop wearing the M4353 serial allocated to AB871.
3 Mar 55 To RAF Credenhill (Hereford) for gate guardian
duties, latterly marked as M4354. when later repainted in wartime markings
in 1964 it was restored as AB871 coded SH-S. Photo at Credenhill August
1961, lacking panels, main undercarriage fairings and serial; Spitfire - A
Look Back Over The Gate p.3; as restored with incorrect serial AB871 and
codes SH-S; p.3. Also Veteran and Vintage Aircraft (Hunt -013355) p.32 and
Flypast December 2007 p.126 (colour). 64 Repainted at RAF Hereford. The
strip down prior to this revealed evidence of its former squadron
identities, including the 118 Squadron codes NK-, but the incorrect serial
AB871 and code SH-S were applied. 24 Oct 67 One of 18 RAF Spitfires loaned
to Spitfire Productions Ltd for use in the Battle of Britain film and
taken from Hereford to RAF Henlow, Beds by No.60 MU, two days later. 68
Repainted at Henlow without any external identity markings, but still marked
as AB871 in the radio compartment. Given Spitfire Productions Ltd identity
number T.6 to indicate taxi aircraft No.6. Mar 68 Original Merlin 46 90939
overhauled at Henlow by an RAF working party and the 4-blade propeller from
Spitfire Mk.16 SL574 fitted, the original 3-blade prop being fitted to
Spitfire Mk.16 TE176.Radio fitted, plus sheet metal wing tips, undercarriage
doors, and new oil cooler cowl, and cannon stubs removed. Late Apr 68 To RAF
North Weald by road and used as one of seven taxying Spitfires during
filming, the others all being Mk.XVIe aircraft. 14 May 68 Noted taxying at
North Weald uncoded and without a serial number. 15 May 68 Whilst taxying at
North Weald, hit a bump, left the ground and flew, landed and tipped onto
its nose breaking the 4-blade propeller. Fitted with a replacement 4-blade
unit from Spitfire Mk.16 SM411 the same day. 20 May 68 Noted taxying at
North Weald as N3327/AI-O. May 68 To Duxford, Cambs for further filming. Jul
68 To Hawkinge for filming as N3315/DO-W. (The aircraft in the film
regularly had their identities changed). Jul 68 To Duxford again as
N3315/DO-N. 24 Jul 68 Noted at Duxford as N3315/BO-D. 28 Jul 68 Noted at
Duxford as N3315/DO-. 6 Aug 68 Noted at Duxford as N3313/EQ-D and
AI-D. Aug 68 Noted at Duxford as BO-D. 12 Sep 68 Noted at Duxford as
N3313/AI-D. Also operated as N3318 and N3323. Sep 68 To RAF Henlow, Beds by
road. Sep-Oct 68 Renovated at Henlow by RAF/Spitfire Productions Ltd working
party - 3 blade propeller loaned to TE476 refitted and 4 blade prop refitted
to SM411.Gun stubs refitted, wing tips removed and aircraft incorrectly
repainted as AB871 without code letters and placed in store. As filming was
completed, AB871 was one of 13 Spitfires returned to the RAF custody on 28
Oct 1968. 14 Sep 69 Taken by road by No. 71 MU to the Guildhall Yard in the
City of London for Battle of Britain display via RAF Northolt. Photo -
Flypast Oct 1989 p.61. (Colerne file says 18 September) 15 Sep 69 On
display. 16 Sep 69 Removed by road from the Guildhall by No.71MU and stored
at RAF Wattisham, Suffolk. (Colerne Spitfire file states 24 September) 16
Sep 72 Displayed at RAF Wattisham Battle of Britain display. 27 Sep 72 By
road to the station Museum at RAF Colerne, Wilts to replace Spitfire P7350
which was maintained in flying condition by the Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight. Transported by No.71 MU. 1974 Stripped for restoration; paint
removal revealed the correct serial number and BL614 was restored to No 222
Squadron markings with the codes ZD-F to recall its role when it flew in
support of the Dieppe raid on 19 August 1942. Photo as restored, June 1974 -
Spitfire - A Look Back Over the Gate p.4; Aircraft Illustrated Oct 75 p.419
(colour); Flypast Apr 83 p.44 (colour). 75 Temporarily displayed at RAF
Cosford .Photo - Aeroplane Monthly Supplement April 1994 p.14. 28 Aug 75 To
the regional collection at RAF St Athan prior to the closure of RAF Colerne
and its aircraft collection in March 1976. 8 Jan 80 Temporarily moved to RAF
Abingdon, Berks to provide parts and patterns for the rebuild of damaged
BBMF Spitfire Vb AB910 which had been involved in a taxying accident during
an airshow at Bex, Switzerland 21st August 1978. Photo of BL614 at Abingdon
- The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (028314) p.43. Sep 81 Returned to
RAF St Athan. 7 Dec 82 Left St.Athan by road and installed in the new
Manchester Air & Space Museum. Photos -Control Column Feb 83 p.10; Aircraft
Illustrated Jul.83 p.321; Spitfire Survivors p.13; Spitfire-A Look Back Over
The Gate p.4; Flypast May 95 p.11; Spitfire Survivors Round The World
(021352) p.107.Some restoration work done on instrument panel and respraying
of cockpit area by Museum volunteers in Sep.1984. The engine had been
previously removed. The Museum became the Greater Manchester Museum of
Science and Industry in Dec 1985. Mar 95 To Rochester Airport, Kent for
restoration by volunteers from the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society.
(Formed from members of the Royal Aeronautical Society Medway Branch).
Replacement Merlin Mk 46 engine provided by RAF Museum RC&RC Cardington.
Engine bearers, wing tips, rudder, firewall and cockpit components replaced
by the restoration team. Photo under restoration Spitfire Society Journal
Autumn 2003 p.13. Feb 97 Partly restored fuselage displayed in Pentagon
Shopping centre, Chatham, Kent. 11 Sep 97 Completed aircraft formally handed
over to RAF Museum in ceremony at Rochester Airport.
27 Oct 97 By road from Rochester to RAF Museum Hendon,
replacing Spitfire Mk.1 K9942.
Current
location Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, Beds - airworthy.
Other Aircraft