c/n unknown
Built at Southampton in 1942. Flew with No.81 squadron in North Africa where she was the personal mount of Wing Commander R.Berry DFC and was coded R-B accordingly. She later operated with No.154 squadron and was actually based at Ta’ Qali. From here she took part in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, and was later based in Sicily with No.225 squadron. In October 1945 she returned to Malta and carried out meteorological flights from RAF Hal Far. She was blown over in a gale at RAF Luqa in December 1946 and retired from service. In May 1947 she was presented to the Malta Air Scouts but although she was displayed in a secure compound, vandals and souvenier hunters soon took their toll.
When the National War Museum Association was created in 1974, the Spitfire was recovered for potential static restoration. From the early 1990’s she was restored using parts from the recovered airframes of BR108 and EN976. Completed in May 1995, she was on display for the 50th Anniversary of VE day.
Looking stunning in her original 81 squadron markings, she is seen on display in the Air Battle of Malta Memorial Hangar.
Malta Aviation Museum.
Ta’ Qali, Malta
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