Photosynth produced in association with

The Spitfire Mk.V was an early development of this most legendary of fighters. Displaying today is a Spitfire Mk.Vb BM597. Built at Castle Bromwich, BM597 was delivered on 26th April 1942 and served with 315 and 317 (Polish) Squadrons RAF. Damaged in February 1943, it was repaired before passing through a number of maintenance units, until issued to 58 OTU in April 1945. After a period as an instructional airframe at RAF St. Athan, it was allocated to "gate guardian" duties, finally ending out at Church Fenton. BM597 was acquired by Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd (HAC) in 1993 and restored to the aircraft's original specification, with its first post-restoration flight in July 1997. The aircraft is based at Duxford displayed in hanger 3 and will fly only on special occasions, and in the colours of 317 (Polish) Squadron RAF.

This aircraft has appeared in several films including Pearl Harbour ,Foyles War, Battle of Britain 60th Anniversary & Time Team amongst others.

The Spitfire Mk.V initially came into being as a stop-gap before the introduction of the much-changed Mk.III Spitfire. However it was so successful that the Mk.III was abandoned and over 6,000 Mk.V's came into service between 1941 and 1943. The aircraft serviced with more than 140 squadrons of the RAF in addition to being supplied to nine overseas countries including the USAAF in the European campaign.

Throughout 1941 the Mk.V took part in fighter sweeps over occupied Europe its range boosted by drop tanks. In 1942 Spitfire Mk.V's were used in support of the Dieppe landings, fought in the North African campaign, defended Malta, took part in Operation Torch and were supplied to Russian forces. In 1943 they even moved as far afield as Australia to defend that continent from attack by Japanese aircraft.

In addition to the Mk.V Spitfire HAC have a Hawker Hurricane, together with a number of classic Hawker biplanes are in HAC's restoration "queue" including a Hawker Nimrod and Fury, Audax and Hind. A genuine World War I Bristol Fighter and the sole surviving Yak 1 are also well in progress.