Spitfire
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of one spitfire which dates from 1947. The exceptional Vickers-Armstrong Supermarine Spitfire LA198, a late Mark 21 Spitfire, is the last surviving Spitfire flown by 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron. It was ordered by the Ministry of Aircraft Production in May 1942, and was built at Vickers Armstrong’s South Marston factory in September 1944. Although earlier versions had used the Griffon engine, the Mark 21 was the first major design change in the Spitfire line since its birth. Departing from the original distinctive elliptical shape, it now had an entirely new wing which housed four 20mm Hispano cannons. The span was now 36 feet 11 inches, and the aircraft was 32 feet 8 inches long, powered by a 2035 hp Rolls Royce Griffon 61 engine. It had a maximum speed of 449 mph at 25,000 feet and a service ceiling of 43,000 feet. Its normal range was 580 miles. Of the 20,351 Spitfires built, only 120 were Mark 21s, although some 3,000 were originally ordered. Followed a period of storage until May 1945 and spells at RAF Coltishall (where it was re-equipped with Meteor jets) and RAF Cosford, it was issued to No 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, at RNAS Abbotsinch in May 1947 where it was coded ORAI-Gû. It suffered a minor flying accident in October 1947 and was repaired by a working party from 63 MU Carluke, but a further accident on 11 July 1949 necessitated the aircraft’s return to Vickers Armstrong for repair. Supporting the aircraft is a collection of oral history taken from the pilots who served with this squadron and flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain.
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