Spitfire FR.XIVe for RAF Museum Aerial Photography Exhibition

Technicians carefully load Spitfire FR.XIVe MT847 onto a flatbed lorry for shipment to the RAF Museum Hendon on February 9th (photo Chris Foster, via RAF Museum)
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Technicians carefully load Spitfire FR.XIVe MT847 onto a flatbed lorry for shipment to the RAF Museum Hendon on February 9th (photo Chris Foster, via RAF Museum)
Technicians carefully load Spitfire FR.XIVe MT847 onto a flatbed lorry for shipment to the RAF Museum Hendon on February 9th (photo Chris Foster, via RAF Museum)

Warbirds News has some additional information to add to the story we published a few days ago regarding the new RAF Museum Hendon exhibit “Britain from Above” which will open on February 20th. The display will now feature a Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIVe fighter reconnaissance variant, complete with its oblique fuselage camera ports. This artifact will surely be a major draw for the exhibit, in addition to the magnificent images on view and effectively demonstrate an important facet of aerial photography. The aircraft, serial MT847, served with 613 Squadron (City of Manchester) out of Ringway Airport immediately after WWII. She has been on display in the Air & Space Hall at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester since 1995. A team of RAF technicians carefully dismantled the Spitfire on February 9th, and shipped her down south to the RAF Museum.

In the RAF Museum press release, Alice Cliff, Curator of Science and Technology at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester said.

“We are delighted that this iconic aeroplane is going to be part of a new exhibition. We know it has been revered and loved by the many thousands of people who have visited the Air and Space Hall over the years and we are thrilled that many more will get the chance to see it when it reappears in London’s RAF Museum later this month.” 

Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections for the Royal Air Force Museum also commented that,

“It has been an honour for us to share this iconic aircraft with the people of Manchester. We now look forward to its return to the RAF Museum where it will be part of a joint exhibition with English Heritage – Britain from Above – which highlights its capabilities within the role of aerial reconnaissance.”

The Air and Space Hall at the Museum of Science and Industry remains one of the museum’s most visited halls where visitors of all ages enjoy learning  about the early days of flying.  Pride of place goes to the aircraft built by A. V. Roe & Co. Ltd (Avro), founded in Manchester in 1910. Visitors can also discover the links between car and aircraft production in Manchester. Please visit their website for more information.

Technicians gently ease the fuselage of Spitfire FR.XIVe MT847 out of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, England on February 9th. (photo by Chris Foster, via RAF Museum)
Technicians gently ease the fuselage of Spitfire FR.XIVe MT847 out of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, England on February 9th. (photo by Chris Foster, via RAF Museum)

Britain From Above, opens at the RAF Museum, London on 22 February 2014 – 31 March 2015. Please check www.rafmuseum.org for further details in planning your visit.

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