Supermarine Spitfire FR XIV - RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The RAF Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm with admission being free. Car parking is available but there is a charge. The nearest underground station is Colindale about a 10-15 minute walk away or a number 303 bus passes both the tube station and museum. The co-ordinates posted are for the entrance to the "Milestones of Flight" hall/exhibition entrance.

The information board, next to the Spitfire, tells us:

The MK XIV was the first full-scale production Spitfire to be powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon, the 'big brother' of the Merlin. With the Luftwaffe's introduction of the Focke Wu/f Fw 190 in 1942 the RAF needed a more powerful engine for the Spitfire. The first Griffon-engined Spitfire, the Mk. XII, entered service in June 1943, but it was only ever an interim type, lacking performance at high altitude.

Rolls Royce focused its efforts on refining the Griffon, whilst Supermarine modified a Spitfire Mk VIII airframe to accept the new engine. Trials were conducted early in 7943 and the new Mk.XIV was approved that autumn, though further improvements to the Griffon delayed its introduction into service until January 1944.

The production FR.XIVe variant had a cut down rear fuselage with a bubble canopy, greatly improving the pilot's view, port and starboard camera ports, an additional rear fuel tank, and clipped wing tips for
improved roll-control at low altitude. The FR.XIVe proved a successful fighter and ground attack aircraft performing armed reconnaissance operations over northwest Europe in the last year of the war.

The War Birds News website has an article about the aircraft's move from Manchester to Hendon that tells us:

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.

Britain From Above, opens at the RAF Museum, London on 22 February 2014 – 31 March 2015.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Supermarine Spitfire FR XIV Tail Number: (S/N): MT847 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): RAF Musuem, Hendon, London inside / outside: inside Access restrictions: See the detailed description. Other Information:: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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