Canadian Warplanes 3: Supermarine Spitfire

‍Supermarine Spitfires flown by the RCAF at home during the Second World War

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583160)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), flown by Tony Grub of No. 13 Squadron, 26 Feb 1944.  Built as X F Mk.1 4492, later converted to X F Mk. V.

The Supermarine Spitfire is a single-seat fighter aircraft flown by Canadians in over a dozen RCAF and RAF Squadrons during and after the Second World War.  They served in every theatre of the war, from the UK, Italy, Malta, the Far and Middle East and on nearly all operations where fighters were needed on the battlefront.  Many variants of the Spitfires Canadians flew were built in England, using several engine and wing configurations.  The Spitfire was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft with more than 20,351 examples of all variants being built.  It was also the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war.  Nearly 60 remain airworthy, and many more are static exhibits in aviation museums throughout the world.  The Spitfires flown by RCAF Squadrons overseas were owned by the RAF.  Only eleven were actually on RCAF strength.

Supermarine 300 Spitfire F Mk. IA (2), (Serial No. L1090), (Serial No. R7193), Spitfire 329 F Mk. IIB (2), (Serial No. P8332), Spitfire Mk. VI (2), (Serial No. X4492), Spitfire PR Mk. VII (Serial No. X4555), Spitfire PR Mk. VII Type G (Serial No. R7143), Spitfire 359 Mk. VIII (1), (Serial No. JG480), Spitfire 379 Mk. XIV (1), (Serial No. TZ138), Spitfire 380 LF Mk. XVIE (1), (Serial No. TE214), Spitfire Mk. XIX (1), (Serial No. PM627), for a total of 11 aircraft on RCAF strength in Canada.

Supermarine Spitfires flown by the RCAF Overseas during the Second World War (on loan from the RAF), are listed on a separate page on this website.

There were 24 marks of Spitfire and many sub-variants.  These covered the Spitfire in development from the Merlin to Griffon engines, the high-speed photo-reconnaissance variants and the different wing configurations.  More Spitfire Mk. Vs were built than any other type, with 6,487 built, followed by the 5,656 Mk. IXs.  Different wings, featuring a variety of weapons, were fitted to most marks; the A wing used eight .303-in (7.7-mm) machine guns, the B wing had four .303-in (7.7-mm) machine guns and two 20-mm (.79-in) Hispano cannon, and the C, or universal, wing could mount either four 20-mm (.79-in) cannon or two 20-mm (.79-in) and four .303-in (7.7-mm) machine guns.  As the war progressed, the C wing became more common.

One damaged Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb, RAF (Serial No. ER824), "Miss Torbay", was assembled and flown in Newfoundland with parts from two other damaged Spitfires, RAF (Serial No. ES117) and RAF (Serial No. ER881), but none of them were officially on RCAF rolls.

The RAF made changes to the Spitfire nomenclature, using Roman numerals up to Mk. XX, then made a deliberate change to Arabic numerals for the 21, 22, 24. This also applied to the Seafire equivalents produced.

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. 24V (Serial No. VN332), underwent cold weather tests with the RCAF Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE) in Alberta post war.  Sold, it flew as Reg. No. N7929A.

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after the Second World War. Many variants of the Spitfire were built, using several wing configurations, and it was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war. The Spitfire continues to be popular among enthusiasts; around 70 remain airworthy, and many more are static exhibits in aviation museums throughout the world.

The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R.J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works, which operated as a subsidiary of Vickers-Armstrong from 1928. Mitchell pushed the Spitfire's distinctive elliptical wing with cutting-edge sunken rivets (designed by Beverley Shenstone) to have the thinnest possible cross-section, helping give the aircraft a higher top speed than several contemporary fighters, including the Hawker Hurricane.

The Spitfire had detachable wing tips which were secured by two mounting points at the end of each main wing assembly. When the Spitfire took on a role as a high-altitude fighter (Marks VI and VII and some early Mk VIIIs), the standard wing tips were replaced by extended, "pointed" tips which increased the wingspan from 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) to 40 ft 2 in (12.24 m). The other wing-tip variation, used by several Spitfire variants, was the "clipped" wing; the standard wing tips were replaced by wooden fairings which reduced the span by 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m). The wing tips used spruce formers for most of the internal structure with a light alloy skin attached using brass screws.

Due to a shortage of Brownings, which had been selected as the new standard rifle calibre machine gun for the RAF in 1934, early Spitfires were fitted with only four guns, with the other four fitted later. Early tests showed that, while the guns worked perfectly on the ground and at low altitudes, they tended to freeze at high altitude, especially the outer wing guns, because the RAF's Brownings had been modified to fire from an open bolt. While this prevented overheating of the cordite used in British ammunition, it allowed cold air to flow through the barrel unhindered. Supermarine did not fix the problem until October 1938, when they added hot air ducts from the rear of the wing-mounted radiators to the guns, and bulkheads around the gunbays to trap the hot air in the wing. Red fabric patches were doped over the gun ports to protect the guns from cold, dirt, and moisture until they were fired.

The first Rolls-Royce Griffon-engined Mk XII flew in August 1942, and first flew operationally with 41 Squadron in April 1943. This mark could nudge 400 mph (640 km/h) in level flight and climb to an altitude of 33,000 ft (10,000 m) in under nine minutes. As American fighters took over the long-range escorting of USAAF daylight bombing raids, the Griffon-engined Spitfires progressively took up the tactical air superiority role, and played a major role in intercepting V-1 flying bombs, while the Merlin-engined variants (mainly the Mk IX and the Packard-engined Mk XVI) were adapted to the fighter-bomber role. Although the later Griffon-engined marks lost some of the favourable handling characteristics of their Merlin-powered predecessors, they could still outmanoeuvre their main German foes and other, later American and British-designed fighters. (Wikipedia)

RCAF On Strength (8), RCAF 400 Squadrons (175), Canadian Aircraft Losses (767). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian casualties in the RAF during the Second World War may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

Spitfires in Canada

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583645)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IIA, RCAF (Serial No. L1090), 6 Jun 1940.

All RAF aircraft were assigned an Air Ministry (AM) Form 78, which contained details of its service life.  Where known, the details of the Spitfires that saw service in Canada and with the RCAF overseas, are included in the data bank here.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. L1090), included the following data: Construction No. 305, built at Eastleigh (EA), powered by a Merlin III engine, first flew (FF) 24 Aug 1939, 36 Maintenance Unit (MU), shipped to the USA onboard the Sealand, 29 Aug 1939, flown to USAAC Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio.  Transferred to No. 1 Testing Centre, RCAF, Canada, May 1940.  Used for evaluation of early anti-g suits. Returned to the UK, 1 Aug 1940, to 3201 M, No. 14 School of Technical Training (SoTT), 13 May 1944, Category E (CE) damage, 4 Sep 1944.Became instructional airframe 3201M with RAF, struck off in 1944. (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 80).

(RCAF Photo, Comox Air Museum)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IIA, RCAF (Serial No. L1090), with Air Marshall William Avery Bishop, VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED.  He was Canada's top flying ace of the First World War, and a Victoria Cross recipient officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian and British Empire ace of the war.  His son flew Spitfires during the Second World War.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IIB, RCAF (Serial No. P8332), coded LZ-O.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. P8332) included the following data: built at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF), powered by a Merlin XII engine.  P8332 was a presentation aircraft, Baron (Soebang, Netherlands East Indies), 45 Maintenance Unit (MU), 29 Apr 1941, No. 222 Squadron, 21 May 1941, Air Service Training, Hamble (AST (H)), 27 Aug 1941, 82 MU 7 Dec 1941, shipped to Canada on the Manchester Esquire, 13 Apr 1942, Montreal, Quebec Ins, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, A/F A166.  (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 115).

Became Instructional airframe A166 on 7 May 1942, later 166B, used at RCAF Stations Rockcliffe and Mountainview, Ontario. Used by No. 1 Training Command at Mountain View, Ontario. Toured frequently during the war, on static display at War Bond drives. Static display at several RCAF facilities up to 1964. Later transferred to National Aeronautical Collection at Rockcliffe. Restored to war time RAF markings by No. 6 Repair Depot at Trenton in 1966. On the books of the Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa in 1983 to 1986. Refurbished to flyable condition in 1989, using a US built Packard Merlin 29, salvaged from a Canadian built Hurricane. Loaned to Canadian War Museum in 1990.

(Mike Filey Photo collection)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IIB, RCAF (Serial No. P8332), painted -A166, at old city hall Toronto, Ontario, ca 1943.

(DND Photo via City  of Toronto Archives)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IIB, RCAF (Serial No. P8332), painted -A166, at old city hall Toronto, Ontario, ca 1943.

(Author Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IIB converted to Mk. VII (Serial No. P8332), (6173), built at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF), No. 711.  P8332 is currently on display in the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, painted as an F Mk. IIB, coded ZD-L of No. 222 Squadron.  These are the colours she wore while serving with the Squadron in the Battle of Britain in 1940 and on to 1941.  P8332 was a "presentation" aircraft funded by the Netherlands East Indies, and carries the name "SOEBANG N.E.I.”

(Griffin Collection via Mike Kaehler)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IIB, converted to Mk. VII, RCAF (Serial No. P8332), No. 13 Squadron, RCAF, Downsview, Ontario, Aug/Sep 1946.

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb, RAF (Serial No. ER824), with Tropical airscoop, desert cam and equipment in 1942.  ER824 was built at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF).   It went to 46 Maintenance Unit (MU) on 18 Oct 1942, then 82 MU on 18 Nov 1942 and was loaded on Empire Kingsley, 30 Nov 1942.

S/L Herbert J. Russel, an RCAF Engineering Officer at Torbay, Newfoundland, reported that this aircraft was one of several that had been strapped to the deck of a British Steam Merchant ship, "Empire Kingsley", when it was bound for the Caribbean.  The ship was caught in a storm that forced it to stop in St. John's, Newfoundland on Christmas eve.  He was directed to remove this damaged Spitfire and two others as well as a damaged Lockheed P-38 Lightning.  With the damaged aircraft removed, the ship continued on its journey.  The "Empire Kingsley" was eventually sunk a year later by a U-Boat, with nearly all of its crew lost.

The aircraft were transported to Torbay on 26 Dec 1942.  The Spitfire's bent propeller was straightened, and parts of the other two damaged Spitfires (Serial Nos. ES117) and (Serial No. ES881), were used to restore (Serial No. ER824), to flying condition ca 12 Feb 1943.  S/L R.R. "Bob" Norris had flown Spitfires in the Battle of Britain and he agreed to test fly the aircraft.  On 16 March 1943, he took ER824 up for the first of many flights.  It was also flown by Lal Parsons on 19 April 1942, and F/O HA Pattinson.  This aircraft had been one of a number of "Presentation Spitfires" donated by Kabala Province in Nigeria.  The restoration crew named her "Miss Torbay".  The remains of the other two damaged Spitfires were buried at Torbay.  

Apparently, once word got around that Canadians were flying a Spitfire in Newfoundland, the AOC in Halifax, "Black Mike" McKewen, immediately demanded it be shipped to Halifax.  It was eventually packed for shipment to Halifax by members of No. 125 Squadron, RCAF.   It was in Digby, Nova Scotia, for a brief period before it made its way back to the UK where an RAF Maintenance Unit (MU) shipped her to Canadians serving with No. 442 Squadron, RCAF, 23 Feb 1944, and later to No. 12 Ground Communications Group (GCF), 23 Apr 1944, who used it for training.  It still carried the name, "Miss Torbay", on the fuselage.  ER824 was sold for scrap to J. Dale on 8 Jul 1948.  (Bert Russell and Larry Milberry, CANAV Books)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb (Serial No. ER881), built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF), powered by a Merlin 46 engine, M46 (Maintenance), 12 Maintenance Unit (MU), 27 Oct 1942, 82 MU, 11 Nov 1942, Empire Kingsley, 30 Nov 1942, damaged in transit, offloaded at St. John's, Newfoundland, Dec 1943.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb (Serial No. ES117), built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF), powered by a Merlin 46 engine, M46 (Maintenance), 46 Maintenance Unit (MU), 18 Nov 1942, 76 MU, 21 Nov 1942, Empire Kingsley, 30 Nov 1942, damaged in transit, offloaded at St. John's, Newfoundland, Dec 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583113)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. VII Type G, RCAF (Serial No. R7143), 13 (P) Squadron, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 14 Jan 1944.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. R7143), included the following data: Construction No. 1470, built at Eastleigh (EA), powered by a Merlin III engine, Walsall, built as a Mk. I, first flew (FF) 20 Feb 1941, 6 Maintenance Unit (MU) 20 Feb 1941, Director General of Research and Development (DGRD), Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Farnborough, 18 Mar 1941, 1416 Flight, 2 Apr 1941, Heston Aircraft Ltd (HAL), 2 Apr 1941, converted to Photo Reconnaissance (PR) Mk. IV, Rolls-Royce Hucknall (R-RH), 7 Sep 1941, converted to F Mk. VA, No. 140 Squadron 3 Oct 1941, Flying Accident Category B (FACB) damage, 10 Mar 1942, No. 1 Contractors (Civilian) Repair Unit (CRU), 6 MU, 1 Jun 1942, converted to PR Mk. VII Type G, Benson 29 Oct 1942, 47 MU, 12 Dec 1943, armament removed.  Shipped to Canada on the SS Manchester Progress, 16 Jan 1943, in Canada 10 Feb 1943.  (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 88).

Identified as Mk. V is RCAF records. Used by Photographic Flight, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. Operated by No. 7 (P) Wing, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario in fall of 1945. To No. 9 (T) Group post war.

(DND Archives Photo, PL-l16608)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 22 May 1943.

(Comox Air Force Museum Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. VII Type G, RCAF (Serial No. R7143).  This aircraft was not flown in combat in France in 1944.  It was converted to a PR Mk. VII Type G in early 1942 with all of its armament removed and it was in Canada in 1944.  The photo was taken by Red Hill at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario.  It was used by the Photographic Flight and went to No. 9 (T) Group, post war.  R7143 was flown by the RCAF from 1943 to 1947.  This Spitfire and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator behind it were both based at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario.  R7143 was used to shoot down Japanese balloon bombs.

(Griffon Collection Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. VII Type G, RCAF (Serial No. R7143), Downsview, Ontario, 1946.

(Griffon Collection Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. VII Type G, RCAF (Serial No. R7143), Downsview, Ontario, 1946.  R7143 was fitted with an oblique camera port for the photo-reconaissance role, but went through a number of conversions from Mk. 1A to PR Mk. VII during its service life,

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. R7143), included the following data: Construction No. 1470, built at Eastleigh (EA), as an eight-gun fighter powered by a Merlin III engine, Walsall, built as a Mk. I, first flew (FF) 20 Feb 1941, 6 Maintenance Unit (MU) 20 Feb 1941, Director General of Research and Development (DGRD), Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Farnborough, 18 Mar 1941, 1416 Flight, 2 Apr 1941, Heston Aircraft Ltd (HAL), 2 Apr 1941, converted to Photo Reconnaissance (PR) Mk. IV, with a Merlin 45 engine, and guns removed, Rolls-Royce Hucknall (R-RH), 7 Sep 1941, converted to F Mk. VA.  Returning to Benson it flew with No. 140 Squadron 3 Oct 1941, Flying Accident Category B (FACB) damage, 10 Mar 1942, No. 1 Contractors (Civilian) Repair Unit (CRU), 6 MU, 1 Jun 1942, converted to PR Mk. VII Type G, low-level, short-range armed reconnaissance conversion initially known as the PR Type G, then redesignated to PR Mk. IG, and finally  PR Mk. VII Type G, 29 Oct 1942 at Benson, Oxfordshire, UK.  While at Benson, the aircraft suffered Category B (CB) damage in a flying accident.  P/O F.J. Blackwood was on a formation practice flight when he landed at Benson in bad visibly, resulting in a misjudgment of the field and runway.  He tried to skid R7143 around to prevent striking a boundary hedge resulting in the undercarriage collapsing.  After the repair, the aircraft went to No. 47 Maintenance Unit at Sealand where all guns were removed, 12 Dec 1943.  R7143 was shipped to Canada on the Manchester Progress, 16 Jan 1943, in Canada 10 Feb 1943.  R7143 was one of three Spitfires delivered to Canada on 10 Feb 1943.  There it was assigned to No. 13 Squadron, at Rockcliffe, Ontario.  In September 1944, another landing accident led to a prolonged repair which lasted until June 1945, and it was then assigned to No. 9 Transport Group.  

R7143 was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in September, 1947, where it served on Air Search Rescue duties. It became an instructional airframe at the RCN Air Electrical School at HMCS Stadacona.  It was reduced to scrap in 1949-1950 by the school staff.  (Pat Murphy; and, Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, SPITFIRE, The History, (Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 88).

(DND Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), in flight, 26 Feb 1944.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. X4492) included the following data: Construction No. 1296, built in Eastleigh (EA), powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin III engine, first flew (FF) 14 Sep 1940, Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), Farnborough 17 Sep 1940, Photographic Development Unit (PDU), Heston Aircraft Ltd (HAL), converted to Photo Reconnaissance (PR) Mk. IV (W), Rolls-Royce Hucknall (R-RH), 18 Apr 1941 converted to F Mk. VA, Merlin 45 engine, No. 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) 29 Apr 1941, 8 Maintenance Unit (MU) 15 Nov 1941, converted to PR Mk. VII Type F, Aeroplane and Armament Experiment Establishment (AAEE), Boscombe Down (BDn), converted to prototype F Mk. VI, Merlin 47 engine, extended wingtips, known as experimental a/c 152, to Regional Operation Centre? (ROC).  Trials with 3 and 4-blade propellers.  No. 140 Squadron, 12 Feb 1942, 47 Maintenance Unit (MU), RAF station Sealand, 5 Dec 1942.  Manchester Dockyards, 9 Jan 1943.

Shipped to Montreal, Quebec, on the Manchester Progress, 16 Jan 1943, arriving 10 Feb 1943.  Unloaded and moved to Ottawa 17 Feb 1943.  Taken on Charge (TOC) with No. 3 Training Command.  No. 13 Squadron, No. 7 Photo Wing RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 9 Apr 1943.  X4492 had a 36-inch telephoto camera installed.  First documented flight in Canada.  Flown to Toronto the next day.  It was used in trials, Mar to Jul 1943.  It was in Saint John, New Brunswick, then flown to RCAF Station Rivers, Manitoba, to photograph the total eclipse of the sun on 9 July 1945.  It was equipped with an F24 oblique camera installed to sight upwards.  Pilot F/Lt Tom Percival.  X4492 was flown over Lake Winnipeg at 35,000 feet, a record breaking altitude record for photographing a solar eclipse.  It went into unit storage on 31 Dec 1945.  It took part in the Toronto Airshow, 30 Jun 1946.  No. 9 Transport Group, RCAF station Rockcliffe, 15 Jul 1946.  The aircraft damaged its propellers on take-off at RCAF Rtation Rockcliffe, Ontario, 17 Sep 1946.  It is recorded as awaiting disposal, 11 Oct 1946.  Air Search and Rescue duties, 9 Jan 1947.  Royal Canadian Navy, Director of Naval Services. 2 Sep 1947.  Eventual allocation to RCN/VR unit unknown.  (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 92).

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583886)

Operation Eclipse aircrew, (Tom Percival on the left) with Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), 20 August 1945.  

‍

(DND Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), in flight, 26 Feb 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583883)

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), Op Eclipse, RCAF, 20 Aug 1945.

(DND Photo)

Avro Anson, Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), North American B-25 Mitchell Mk. II, No. 13 (P) Squadron, taking part in Operation Eclipse to photograph a solar eclipse, 1945.

The RCAF carried out observations of the 9 July 1945 eclipse of the sun from four aircraft: a Mitchell, a Spitfire, and two Ansons.  This effort was part of a series of ionospheric observations sponsored by the Canadian Radio Wave Propagation Committee.  Although the focus of this expedition was not strictly on astronomy, the story is a good illustration of the technology that was in use during the 1940's, which had improved very much since the 1932 eclipse observations.

(DND Photo)

Operation Eclipse composite photo, 9 July 1945.

Three of the aircraft involved in the RCAF operation were outfitted with a total of seven standard cameras, of the type commonly used at that time for aerial photography.  The one of the Ansons carried a motion picture camera.  Spectrographic and polarization measurements were made, as well as visual and infrared photographs of the solar corona and prominences.  The altitude of the aircraft ranged between 17,000 ft and 34,000 ft.  The cameras were mounted behind special plate glass windows, and all except one were adjusted to automatically take exposures, once started.

Three of the aircraft were kept on the proper heading using a modification to the pilot's gun sight; the pilot kept the sun centered on the sighting rings, which kept the cameras pointing at the sun.  The spectra obtained during the mission may have been the first ever taken from an aircraft.  (Lee Walsh)

(DND Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), in flight, 26 Feb 1944.

(DND Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), in flight, 26 Feb 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3523323)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), in flight, 26 Feb 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL 20234)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), struck off charge (SOC), 2 Sep 1947.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL 16608)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583158)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VI, RCAF (Serial No. X4492), 26 Feb 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL-16227)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. VII, RCAF (Serial No. X4555), in its original PRU scheme, on display in a May 1943 Victory Drive, Ottawa, Ontario.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. X4555) included the following data: Construction No. 1185, built at Eastleigh (EA), powered by a Merlin III engine, first flew (FF) 25 Sep 1940, 6 Maintenance Unit (MU) 26 Sep 1940, No. 92 Squadron, 28 Sep 1940, Category 2 (C2) damage on operations, 1 Nov 1941, General Aircraft Ltd (GAL), No. 132 Squadron 16 Feb 1941, Heston Aircraft Ltd (HAL) 29 Apr 1942, converted to Photo Reconnaissance (PR) Mk. IV, Merlin 45 engine, 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU), Benson 15-11-1942, converted to PR Mk. VII Type G, 47 MU 3 Jan 1943, shipped to Canada on the Tom Couston, 10 Mar 1943, in service with the RCAF, 4 Apr 1944, equipped with a 34-inch telephoto camera installed for trials.  (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 92).

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. VII, RCAF (Serial No. X4555), RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, ca 1943.

 (J. Griffin Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. VIII, RCAF (Serial No. JG480), 18 SFTS, Gimli, Manitoba, 1944.   SJG480 flew with No. 1 Winter Experimental and Training Flight that was located at RCAF Station Gimli, Manitoba.  The flight formed at Kapuskasing, Ontario, on 5 Jul 1943 to test aircraft under winter conditions.  The weather was not cold enough so the flight transferred to Gimli in 1944 and later in 1945 formalized as WEE flight at Edmonton, Alberta.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. JG480) included the following data: Construction No. 5054, built at Eastleigh (EA), powered by a Merlin 66 engine, first flew (FF) 14 Nov 1943, Controller of Research and Development (CRD), Vickers Armstrong, Worthy Down (VAWD), 12 Dec 1943, 52 Maintenance Unit (MU), 28 Jan 1944, RCAF Test and Development Unit, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 26 Feb 1944, winterization tests, 3 Mar 1944.  JG480 became General Instruction (G) airframe No. A517.  Last reported with the RCN at Esquimalt, BC.  (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 296).

(World War Photos)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. VIII, RCAF (Serial No. JG480).

(Gary Cook Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. VIII, RCAF (Serial No. JG480), Lethbridge, Alberta, 1945.

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. VIII, RCAF (Serial No. JF480).

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. JF480) included the following data: Construction No. 4321, built at Eastleigh (EA), powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 engine, first flew (FF) 13 May 1943, 8 Maintenance Unit (MU), 14 May 1943, 76 MU, 29 May 1943, SS707, 15 June 1943, Casablanca 29 June 1943, Middle East 1 Sep 1943, North West African Air Forces, 1 Nov 1943,  Vickers Armstrong, Worthy Down (VAWD), Dec 1943, 52 MU Jan 1944, RCAF Test and Development Unit, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 26 Feb 1944, winterization tests, struck off charge (SOC) 30 Jun 1945.  (Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, SPITFIRE, The History (Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000), p. 292).

(RCAF Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIVE, RCAF (Serial No. TZ138), 1948.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. TZ138), included the following data: Construction No. 6S.676505, built at Aldermaston (ALD), powered by a Griffon 65 engine, Rolls-Royce Hucknall (R-RH), No. 47 Maintenance Unit, RAF Station Sealand in June 1945.  TZ138 was shipped to Canada on the SS Alder Province, 11 Nov 1945.  In Canada, transported by rail to Alberta 11 Dec 1945.  TZ138 was prepared for cold weather tests with 47 Maintenance Unit (MU), flown 25 Jan 1946 by F/Lt Laubma, at RCAF Station Edmonton, Alberta.  Transferred to North West Air Command 11 Feb 1946.  Engine replaced summer 1946,  Second set of trials began 26 Nov 1946, ended 28 Feb 1947.  This aircraft had logged a total flight time of 41.55 hrs, when it nosed over while taxiing in the snow and damaged its propeller.  de Havilland Tiger Moth skis were installed for take-off only, with the skis being dropped after the aircraft was airborne.  The heaters for the gun were inadequate.  TZ138 was struck off strength (SOS) 31 Mar 1949.  It was sold, Reg. No. CF-GMZ, then went to Minneapolis, Minnisota, USA in 1960, later to Massachusetts, Reg. No. N138TZ.  It took part in the National Air races at Cleveland, Ohio.  Currently Reg. No. C-GSPT, based at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver, BC.  (SPITFIRE, The History.  Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000, p. 428).

(SDASM Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIVE, RCAF (Serial No. TZ138), Reg. No. CF-GMZ, Racer No. 80, 1949.  TZ138 was purchased in April 1949 by Ken Brown and James McArthur, who made plans to enter the Tinnerman Air Races held during the 1949 National Air Races at Cleveland, Ohio. The buyers obtained the almost new aircraft from Canadian surplus War Assets for a sum of $1,250.  TZ138 was registered as CF-GMZ on 25 Aug 1949.  It received a DOT certificate of serviceability and was approved for Class “F” racing.  This Spitfire was painted with a blue spinner and had red and blue striping on the fuselage, red propeller tips and the Imperial Oil logo forward of the cockpit. Just behind the propeller, the letters EDMONTON * CANADA were painted in red, and below it the slogan The Crossroads of the World with the letters painted in black.  The canopy frame was painted blue and it No. 80 racing number was painted on the fuseage in black.

This ex-RCAF Spitfire was the only aircraft to participate in the race retaining all of its original standard features.  CF-GMZ placed 3rd in the 1949 Tinnerman Air Races at Cleveland, with a top speed of 359.565mph.  The winning aircraft in that race was a modified Goodyear F2G Corsair piloted by ex-Navy pilot Ben McKillen, wtih a top speed of 386.069 mph.  TZ138 was later registered in Richmond BC as C-GSPT.

(SDASM Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIVE, RCAF (Serial No. TZ138), Reg. No. CF-GMZ, Racer No. 80, 1949.  

(SDASM Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIVE, RCAF (Serial No. TZ138), Reg. No. CF-GMZ, Racer No. 80, 1949.

(Pat Murphy Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk. XIVE, RCAF (Serial No. TZ138), Reg. No. CF-GMZ, Richmond, British Columbia.

(Richard Dumigan Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, Toronto, Ontario, alongside HMCS Haida, ca 1972, now in Sweden.  This Spitfire was delivered to the Royal Air Force as in 1945, and served until it was struck off strength in 1951.  It was transferred to the Indian Air Force as (Serial No. HS964) in 1953 and served until it was struck off strength in 1957.  It went on display in the Indian AF Museum, Palam AB, New Dehli, India, from 1957-1971.  This Spitfire was acquired by John Weir with the Canadian Fighter Pilots Association, Downsview, Ontario, on 3 Feb 1971.  The Spitfire arrived disassembled in a Lockheed C-130 Hercules.  After undergoing a static restoration, it was displayed as (Serial No, PM627), coded YO-X & DB-X at the Canadian National Exhibit Grounds, Toronto, from 1972-1973, and at the Ontario Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, from Nov 1973-1978.  It was later displayed at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario, in 1980.  The Spitfire went to David C. Tallichet, MARC, Chino, California in 1982.  It then went to the Flygvapenmuseum, Malmslatt, Sweden, in October 1982, where it is on display as RSwAF as Fv31051.

(Author Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, Toronto, Ontario, alongside HMCS Haida, June 1971.

(Author Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, Toronto, Ontario, alongside HMCS Haida, June 1971.

(Author Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, Toronto, Ontario, alongside HMCS Haida, June 1971.

(Author Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, Toronto, Ontario, alongside HMCS Haida, June 1971.

(Author Photos, 1971)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, Toronto, Ontario, alongside HMCS Haida, June 1971.

(DND Photo via Jim Bates)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), coded YO-X, blue paint scheme, Toronto, Ontario, 1974.

The Form 78 for RAF (Serial No. PM627), included the following data: Construction No. 6S.683524, built at Supermarine (Super), powered by a Griffon 66 engine, 6 Maintenance Unit (MU) from 20 Sep 1945 to 15 June 1952, BRSD Reserve Pool 26 May 1949, No. 2 Squadron, British Air Forces of Occupation (BAFO), 10 Nov 1949,  Gatwick refurbishment, 9 Mar 1951, 9 MU, sold Air Service Training (AST) 15 Feb 1953, to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), (Serial No. HS964), to Canada, then to Sweden.  (Eric B. Morgan and Edward Shacklady, SPITFIRE, The History (Key Books Ltd, Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK, 2000), p. 462).

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX, RCAF (Serial No. PM627), Royal Swedish Air Force (Serial No. 51), coded 11, Flyvapenmuseum, Linkoping, Sweden.

Supermarine Spitfires flown by the RCAF Overseas during the Second World War (on loan from the RAF), are listed on a separate page on this website.

RCAF Squadrons that flew Spitfires included Nos. 400, 401, 402, 403, 411, 412, 414, 416, 417, 421, 430, 441, 442 and 443 Squadrons from 1940-1946, and No. 13 Squadron from 1944-1946.

‍

‍