Photo © Paul Koskela
Our Spitfire in 2003 when it was flying.

Photo © Eric Van Gilder
This photo was taken August 2005 and shows how the airplane is being thoroughly inspected.

Manufacturer: Supermarine
Type: Fighter
Engine: 2,050 HP Rolls Royce Griffon 65
Wing Span: 36 ft. 10 in.
Length: 32 ft. 8 in.
Height: 12 ft. 7.75 in.
Max Speed: 439 MPH
Cruising Speed: 362 MPH
Ceiling: 43,000 ft.
Max Range: 740 Miles
Normal Range: 620 Miles
Empty Weight: 6,376 lbs.
Max Weight: 8,375 lbs.
Fuel Consumption: (average) 85 GPH
Armament: Two 12.7 mm Browning Machine Guns, Two 20 mm Hispano Cannons

Number Built: 20,334

Number Still Flying: ≈50

Background

Only 957 production MK XIVs were built. It was the first Spitfire in large scale production with the V-12 Griffon 65 engine, and entered service in 1944. The MK XIV was the most successful of all the variants at destroying V-1 flying bombs, accounting for 300 kills. In October 1944 a MK XIV had the distinction of being the first to destroy a jet powered Messerschmitt Me 262.

Spitfire NX749DP

Built: July 1945

This Spitfire was built at the Aldermaston factory, in Berkshire, England and then delivered to the Royal Air Force. The aircraft was shipped to Karachi, India in July, 1945 for anticipated operations in Southeast Asia. In 1947 it was transferred to the Indian Air Force.

In 1983 the aircraft was found badly damaged in Patna and was returned to England. It was restored and flew again at Cranfield in 1983. The aircraft is painted in the colors of the Southeast Asia Command.

In 1985 the aircraft was purchased by David Price, and shipped to Los Angeles. That year the aircraft won an award at the Oshkosh Air Show.

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