The Making of the film:
The survivors
Spitfire Mk.LFXVIe RW382
Squadrons:
Type: VS361
Engine: Packard Merlin 266
Serial/Reg. RW382, (NX382RW), (G-XVIA)
Sqdn - code: 604-NG-C, No.3 CAACU – A (Civilian Anti Aircraft Cooperation Unit), 609-PR-
Role in film: Static, Currently: stored
History
RW382 was built in 1945 and delivered from Castle Bromwich to No.6 MU at Brize Norton on 20th July. Here it was stored until issued to No.604 squadron RAuxAF on 1st April 1947, serving until 14th April 1950, when it was retired to No.33 MU Lyneham. Reactivated the following year, RW382 joined No.3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Exeter (coded “A”) on 11th June, transferring to the Control and Reporting School at Middle Wallop on 17th October. Final retirement came on 14th July 1953, when it flew to No.45 MU at Kinloss, moving on to No.29 MU at High Ercall two weeks later. It was declared non-effective stock on 14th December 1954.
Following a year in store, RW382 was allocated to No.609 squadron at Church Fenton as instructional airframe 7245M (although it was painted as M7245 at some time) on 28th November 1955, being transferred to gate guardian duties at Leconfield as “RW729” in 1959. Here it remained until 1967, when it was used in The Battle of Britain, returning to Leconfield on 5th December 1969. Shortly afterwards, on 19th May 1970, it was taken to No.5 MU Kemble for a refurbish, returning to Leconfield on 6th July in dubious green/dark earth camouflage scheme complete with 1940-style roundels. This it retained when taken by road on 4th April 1973 to Uxbridge, where it was mounted on a pylon adjacent to the main gate. Despite its identity of 7245M the new serial 8075M was allocated.
On August 26, 1988, collected by Tim Routsis of Historic Flying Ltd.; sold in 1989 to David Tallichet of Military Aircraft Restoration Corp., Chino, California. Registered to Historic Flying as G-XVIA on July 2, 1991, and restored to airworthiness for Tallichet, first flying on July 3, 1991. Remained at Audley End until spring 1995, then transported to California for new owner Bernie Jackson. Registered NX 382 RW.
JUNE 3, 1998
RW382 was destroyed in a crash on June 3rd, 1998 in a remote river canyon in
Nevada killing its pilot.
The Spitfire was being flown from Chico, California (after taking part in
the Carson Valley Airshow) back to its base at Minden-Tahoe, Nevada by
37year old ex.RCAF pilot Thomas Jackson, nephew of owner Bernie Jackson.
Flying under dense cloud cover, the aeroplane hit the wall of the Blue
River Canyon when, according to a spokesman from the Nevada Sheriffs
Department, the pilot apparently attempted to turn back up the valley. The
Civil Air Patrol picked up a signal from an emergency distress beacon on
June 4th and a Californian Highway Patrol helicopter located the wreck of
the aircraft later that same afternoon.
Current location – wreckage with airframe assemblies IoW.
Other Aircraft