Originally, the Spitfire had been designed as a short-range home-defense fighter, but by 1941, the RAF had begun offensive operations over Nazi-occupied Europe. To extend the Mk. Vs range, the RAF adopted 30- and 9-gallon jettisonable fuel tanks which fit flush under the fuselage. Also, as the war progressed and fewer enemy fighters were encountered, the Spitfires began flying ground strafing missions. To improve the low-altitude characteristics, most Spitfire Mk. V’s had their wingtips removed. Categorized as low-altitude fighters, these aircraft carried the prefix of "L.F." (i.e. Spitfire L.F. Mk. Vc).

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The Museum’s Aircraft:

The aircraft on display is a Spitfire Mk. Vc (Trop) built for Supermarine under license by Vickers-Armstrong in June 1943. Shipped to Australia in September 1943, it served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This aircraft is temporarily replacing the Hawker "Hurricane" that is normally displayed with the Battle of Britain Dispersal Hut. It is painted in the Standard RAF camouflage scheme for northern Europe to represent an aircraft flown by Americans with the RAF Eagle Squadrons. Our Hurricane has been removed from display to undergo final restoration, and it will be returned to this display in time for the opening of our third building. At that time, this Spitfire will be repainted to represent one flying with the USAAF in North Africa in 1943 and will take its place in the greatly expanded World War II gallery.

Suggested Reading:

Philip D. Caine, American Pilots in the RAF
Vern Haugland, The Eagles’ War

For more information, please visit http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/

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