Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV

The Supermarine Spitfire was designed by the Schneider Cup-winning Reginal J Mitchell and first flew in March 1936. The aircraft was originally going to be called the Shrew but was quickly renamed as the Spitfire. The Spitfire used a unique elliptical wing shape that combined with innovative sunken rivets gave the aircraft a high-top speed than most, if not all, other fighters of the time. The Spitfire was constantly developed during its life in service with multiple air arms around the world and whilst the Rolls-Royce Merlin powered initial versions, latter versions used the far more powerful Griffon engine. In total 20,351 Spitfires were built and remained in military service until 1961 when the type was retired by the Irish Air Corps.

The Spitfire Mk. FR XIVe was a later Rolls-Royce Griffon powered version featuring a larger airframe, a large bubble canopy, and clipped wing tips to improve performance at lower altitudes. The FR stood for “Fighter Reconnaissance” and the airframe held provision for a camera to be installed behind the cockpit. Spitfire MV293 was built in 1944 at Keevil and never saw service during the Second World War. The aircraft was eventually transferred to the Indian Air Force and entered service in 1947 before becoming a ground instruction airframe at the IAF Technical College. The aircraft is now resplendent in the markings it carried in India during 1947 and is owned by Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd at Sywell.

Following its popular appearances around the UK during 2024 wearing its smart Indian Air Force paint scheme, Spitfire MV293 will be appearing as part of the Eyes in the Skies theme on static display at this year’s Air Tattoo.

For more information on Fighter Aviation Engineering/Ultimate Warbirds, please visit their website here: www.warbirdflights.co.uk

Photo Credit: Aviation Photocrew

On display

Role	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Static	Yes	Yes	Yes