Aircraft History
Built by Supermarine in the United Kingdom. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number JF846. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia.

Wartime History
Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Spitfire LF Mark VIII serial number A58-309. On October 26, 1943 reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On February 8, 1944 assigned to No. 452 Squadron. This Spitfire pilot P/O M. J. Beaton sufferend a landing accident at Katherine, NT. Afterwards, repaired by 7 Repair Salvage Unit (7 RSU).

On March 11, 1944 assigned to Royal Air Force (RAF) to No. 54 Squadron operating in Australia. On April 3, 1944 took off piloted by P/O M. J. Beaton and suffered a landing accident at Katherine, NT. Afterwards, temporary repairs were made at the crash site by 7 Repair Salvage Unit (7 RSU) and afterwards flown away for additional repairs then returned to the squadron.

Mission History
On April 18, 1944 took off from Gorrie Airfield piloted by F/Lt Peter G. F. Brown on a delivery flight to Darwin accompanied by Spitfire A58-330 piloted by W/O I. D. Ross, 1113993 (RAF). Flying at 9,000', this Spitfire suffered an engine failure 40 miles south of Pine Creek and was advised to find a clearing to make a force landing. After gliding down to 1,000', Brown radioed that he was "going over the side" (bailing out) because he was unable to locate a safe place to land. After bailing out, this Spitfire dove down and exploded. After bailing out, Brown's parachute opened at approximately 100' but he landed in the burning wreckage and died. Officially, this aircraft was stricken on May 25, 1944.

Memorials
F/Lt Brown was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at the Adelaide River War Cemetery at P.D.12.