Aircraft

TD248 - a low back Mk XVI with Rolls Royce Packard Merlin Power

TD248 is one of a batch of aircraft that formed the Air Ministry’s seventeenth order for Spitfires placed with Vickers Armstrong (Castle Bromwich) Ltd on 19 April 1944. It was released to service on 11 May 1945 and delivered to No 6 MU at Brize Norton on 16 May where it was prepared for service with 695 Squadron based at Bircham Newton in Norfolk with the codes 8Q-T. The Squadron relocated to Horsham St Faith (Norwich) in August 1945. The aircraft was withdrawn from service on 31 December 1947 when an inspection was carried out by 54MU based at Cambridge following unrecorded and substantial damage, it was eventually returned to service on 13 May 1948 with the codes 4M-E.

In August 1951 TD248 was transferred to No 2 Civilian Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Little Snoring, Norfolk. No 2 CAACU was operated by Marshalls of Cambridge and included calibration flights and target towing. In March 1953 the unit moved to Langham, Norfolk and in May 1954 TD248 was withdrawn from service and stored at 9MU RAF Cosford pending disposal. In October 1955 it was issued to No 610 Sqn RauxAF for static display at Hooton Park, Cheshire with the codes DW-A. It was subsequently allocated to the Air Training Corps at RAF Sealand where it remained until acquired by Historic Flying in 1988. The propeller was totally rebuilt with new blades and bearings and the Packard Merlin 266 engine zero timed. All the original systems parts are retained after being overhauled. The aircraft is fitted with wing tanks, a modern radio and a GPS.

TD248 flew again in November 1992 in the striking silver and red livery of 41 Squadron Spitfire F21 that participated in the Blackpool Air races of 1948/49.

The aircraft was sold in 2005 and the new owners had it re-sprayed in it's new colour scheme of 74 Squadron 2nd Tactical Air Force May 1945. It is operated by Spitfires Ltd. and maintained by the Aircraft Restoration Company.