When was the last Spitfire used?

The last RAF Spitfire mission was on 1 April 1954. This was a photographic reconnaissance flight in Malaysia, searching for communist guerrillas. Spitfires remain flying with the RAF today, as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

How much does a replica Spitfire cost?

80\% or 90\% scale replica Supermarine Mk IX Spitfire. Experimental weight category. Pricing: Mk26B (90\% scale) – US$165,000 kit only.

Why was the Spitfire called Supermarine?

It was named after the daughter of the manufacturer’s chairman. The Spitfire’s name is often assumed to derive from its ferocious firing capabilities. But it likely owes just as much to Sir Robert McLean’s pet name for his young daughter, Ann, who he called “the little spitfire”.

How long did it take to train a Spitfire pilot?

At the beginning of the war, flight training lasted nine months, with three months of primary, three months of basic, and three months of advanced training. Each pilot had 65 flying hours of primary training and 75 hours of both basic and advanced training.

What is the difference between a Spitfire and a Supermarine Spitfire?

Is there a difference between a Supermarine Spitfire and a Spitfire? To answer the second question first – there’s no difference, they’re one and the same. Supermarine was the company that built the Spitfire, nothing made it “Super” , apart from the fact that it was an excellent design and superb aircraft.

How much did a Spitfire cost in today’s money?

Back when production of the Spitfire was underway it cost an average of £12,604 for each aircraft. Today that would equate to just under £800,000 for each Spitfire produced. This is more expensive than the RAF’s other high-performance fighter – the Hurricane.

What happened to the Supermarine company?

Eventually, the Supermarine brand was consumed by Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) as it became part of British Aircraft Corporation in 1960 and although it is fondly remembered in terms of the Spitfire and alike, today it only remains in the USA as a company manufacturing replica aircraft in kit form.

How far could a Spitfire Glide?

The Spitfire has a “clean” glide ratio of about 13:1, so it could glide around 13 miles if it started gliding at around 1 mile (5280 feet) high. That’s only whilst the airframe is clean, and only at its best glide speed – at a guess about 120–150 knots.

When did the Spitfire te308 join the IAC?

Following the T9 two seat conversion, TE308 joined five other two seat Spitfires which were sent to the Irish Air Corps (IAC) in 1951. TE308 was marked as ‘163’ in the distinctive Irish green colours.

Can a Spitfire be converted into a two-seat trainer?

Although there were wartime conversions of the Spitfire into a two-seat trainer including the one-off modification of a Mk VC by RAF no. 261 Squadron and a Mk IX converted for use as a trainer by the Soviets, the two-seat Spitfire trainer was primarily a postwar program.

Where can I fly a Spitfire in Ireland?

Fly a Spitfire based at Biggin Hill now operate three 2 seat Spitfires – all three are former Irish Air Corps aircraft – MJ772 (159) and MJ627 (158) and TE308 (163). More details are available at www.flyaspitfire.com

What military aircraft have been withdrawn from service with the Irish Air Corps?

Military aircraft which have been withdrawn from service with the Irish Air Corps include the following: Cessna FR172H – 8× FR172H, 1× FR172K. Five FR172H remained in service until 2019. Air Corps Alouette III. Retired in 2007 Aérospatiale SA342L Gazelle – retired December 2005. Later sold