Scanned from a 35mm slide

No location was given for this photo but may be RAF Catfoss where it was based with the Central Gunnery School. P7973 was donated to Australia in 1945 and has become part of the Australian War Memorial collection. Its link to Australia is that is was flown by Wing Commander Keith "Bluey" Truscott when he was with 452 (Australian) Squadron based at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, England. Truscott was a 16-aircraft ace who flew in both the European and Pacific theatres. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Undergoing maintenance in the BBMF hangar.

'The Loch Doon Spitfire.' Built at Castle Bromwich. To the RAF on 20 Oct 1940. Issued to 66 Sqn at West Malling on 29 Oct 1940. To 609 (West Riding) Sqn on 24 Feb 1941 at Biggin Hill. To 266 Sqn at Wittering on 14 Jun 1941. Finally to 312 (Czech) Sqn at Martlesham Heath on 6 Jul 1941. The Sqn moved to Ayr on 19 Aug 1941. On 25 Oct 1941 the aircraft crashed into Loch Doon whilst low flying, a wing clipped the water and the pilot was killed. The plane was brought up from the loch in 1982 and has been gradually restored over the years and went on display in 2017 in its 312 (Czech) Sqn markings.

Shot down in the Battle of Britain in 1940. Repaired and returned to service, Sold for scrap in 1947. Donated to the RAF Colerne museum. Made airworthy for the Battle of Britain film in 1967 then to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Still operational in 2023.

P7540 crashed into Loch Doon on 25 October 1941 killing the pilot, and the wreckage was eventually found in 1982. Around 90% of the aircraft was recovered, and the fuselage was restored by the Aircraft Restoration Group in Yorkshire. Gateguard UK fabricated replica wings and engine cowlings to complete the restoration for Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum.

In formation with J-252.

With Typhoon ZK349 in WW2 era camouflage representing a Hurricane of 249 Squadron as flown by Flt Lt Nicholson, Fighter Command's only VC .

Wearing 266 Squadron codes UO-T, these same codes were applied again to P7350 by 1990. Note non standard four blade prop, should be a three blade prop on this mark of Spitfire.

Carrying temporary markings QJ-G on the port side to represent aircraft of 92 Squadron flown in 1940 by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC. The starboard side carries the code QJ-E for the aircraft flown by Sergeant Ken Wilkinson of 19 Squadron.

But for the helmet worn by the pilot, this is an almost timeless photograph.

The oldest airworthy Spitfire in existence is operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Fittingly, this aircraft saw combat during the Battle of Britain in 1940, serving with 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, which was then based at RAF Hornchurch. The aircraft is currently painted up to represent a Mk Ia called "Blue Peter", which was the personal mount of 603 Sqn's CO, Sqn Ldr George Denholm DFC.

BBMF Spitfire P7350 shortly after repaint into 54 Squadron markings as the personal machine of the legendary WW2 ace Alan C Deere.

1940-built at Castle Bromwich. Wears the 'ZH' code of 266 Squadron which the aircraft served in WW2. Performing at the 1972 Farnborough Air Show.