When thinking of the Spitfire, naturally, people will also think of the Rolls-Royce Merlin, but most of the later variants of Spitfire were powered by the Merlin's larger brother, the Griffon.
This Spitfire, serial: MV293 (UK reg. G-SPIT), is a mark fourteen, a Fighter Reconnaissance (FR) variant. The aircraft was fitted with cameras in both sides of the fuselage with the compliment of two 20mm Hispano cannons to aid its fight to and from its photographic targets.
The first variant of Spitfire to be fitted with a Griffon was the Mk IV, but due to problems with the development of the engine, the Mk IV didn't go into production. It was the later Mk XII which was chosen as the first Griffon-powered Spitfire to enter RAF frontline service.
MV293 now wears its authentic SEAC (South East Asia Command) paint scheme it wore when it was delivered to the Indian Air Force on 31st December 1947. The aircraft eventually joined The Fighter Collection at Duxford in 1985 where it was re-painted as MV268 'JE-J' in 2000 as a tribute to the fighter ace Johnnie Johnson. The aircraft remained in this paint scheme until 2023. It is now owned by Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd, joining a host of other rare warbirds including the Hawker Tempest Mk.II, P-47D Thunderbolt and many more!
In this video, MV293 is seen starting up, taxiing and taking off for a local flight. The aircraft was one of four Spitfires to be featured in Duxford's 'Spies in the Skies' exhibition in the conservation hall - an exhibition showcasing the squadrons tasked with flying behind enemy lines in specialist aircraft. Following the closing of the exhibition on the 25th February, the Spitfire ran its engine and then flew to ensure all was well having sat still in a hangar for two months.
MV293 has already been booked for a few air shows this season including Duxford's VE Day Flying Day on Sunday 5th May before heading to Old Warden for The Shuttleworth Collection's 'Best of British' air show on Sunday 12th May.
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