BS452 served with 306 and 65 squadrons and was with a training unit when World EWar II ended. It was sold to Vickers Armstrong in December 1949 and that is where the story ends. Spare parts? Photo from: Imperial War Museums

With 302 (Polish) Squadron. MH869 survived the war and was delivered to the South African Air Force in 1949. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Marked in its original wartime colours of 331 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF.

Marked in its original wartime colours of 331 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF.

First public outing of EN199 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII.

In the initial stages of a complete rebuild from salvaged parts. Now displayed as "R-B" in desert camouflage.

EN444 arrived in North Africa on March 9, 1943 and failed to return from an escort mission on May 7. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

The aircraft first flew in November 1942 and first saw action in North Africa in January 1943. To Malta with 154 Sqn, where it took part in the invasion of Sicily. Moved to Italy, back to Malta in October 1945 for meteorological flights from Hal Far. Moved to Luqa, where it suffered damage to the tail during strong winds. Withdrawn from service as result of the damage. It was stored, but various parts were removed as a souvenir. From the early 1990's the aircraft was restored (in only 2,5 years). Various parts were resourced, even used from submerged aircraft around the island.

This Spitfire was restored from a hulk, using parts from wrecks recovered from the sea around Malta.