Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The Spitfires.
Spitfire Mk1a, AR213.
The second of the Mk1's owned by Comanche Fighters, AR213 was built by Westland in 1941, and went to 57 OTU at Hawarden, near Chester, where it became the personal aircraft of James 'Ginger' Lacey, the Battle of Britain ace Sgt pilot, now a Flight Lieutenant on a 'rest' tour as an instructor.
Service with 53 OTU followed, until the aircraft was struck off charge in 1945.
After being purchased by Group Captain Alan Wheeler, the Spitfire was in storage for many years until, in 1968, it was restored to flying condition for the BoB movie.
If my memory is correct, following disposal after the filming, it was then owned and flown by the Hon Patrick Lindsay, and was, at that time, the only Mk1 flying in the World. A regular airshow performer, the aircraft was eventually grounded in 2003, but returned to the air in 2007.
Now painted in the colours of P7308, XR-D, it represents the aircraft flown by American ace, Pilot Officer William R Dunn, of 71 (Eagle) Squadron, RAF.
Spitfire Mk1a, AR213.
The second of the Mk1's owned by Comanche Fighters, AR213 was built by Westland in 1941, and went to 57 OTU at Hawarden, near Chester, where it became the personal aircraft of James 'Ginger' Lacey, the Battle of Britain ace Sgt pilot, now a Flight Lieutenant on a 'rest' tour as an instructor.
Service with 53 OTU followed, until the aircraft was struck off charge in 1945.
After being purchased by Group Captain Alan Wheeler, the Spitfire was in storage for many years until, in 1968, it was restored to flying condition for the BoB movie.
If my memory is correct, following disposal after the filming, it was then owned and flown by the Hon Patrick Lindsay, and was, at that time, the only Mk1 flying in the World. A regular airshow performer, the aircraft was eventually grounded in 2003, but returned to the air in 2007.
Now painted in the colours of P7308, XR-D, it represents the aircraft flown by American ace, Pilot Officer William R Dunn, of 71 (Eagle) Squadron, RAF.