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| RAAF No. 2 TMD Former Assignments RAF 24 MU 6 MU 10 MU No. 222 Squadron No. 452 Squadron (RAAF) No. 313 Squadron (Czech) 39 MU 57 OTU 33 MU 61 OTU 33 MU RAF Gunnery School 47 MU |
Aircraft History Built by Supermarine at the Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, England with Merlin XII engine. On April 12, 1938 ordered under contract B981687/39. During January 1941 first flight. Wartime History Delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number P7973. On January 19, 1941 taken on charge by 24 MU at RAF Ternhill. On February 4, 1941 assigned to 6 Maintenance Unit (6 MU) at RAF Brize Norton. On March 1, 1941 assigned to 10 MU at RAF Hullavington. On April 1941 assigned to No. 222 Squadron at RAF Coltishall. During May 1941 assigned to No. 452 Squadron (RAAF) coded UD-N at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey. Flown by Australian pilots including Sqn Ldr Keith "Bluey’" Truscott, Robert Bungey and Raymond Thorold-Smith. On July 21, 1941 moved to RAF Kenley. On September 28, 1941 took off on a fighter sweep over France and was damaged after hitting an obstacle and returning force landed at Predannack Airfield. Afterwards, underwent extensive repairs. Assigned to 39 MU at RAF Colerne and stored. During May 1942 to 57 OTU at RAF Eshott. In September 1942 to 33 MU at RAF Lyneham. In October 1942 to 61 OTU at RAF Redhill. In November 1943 to 33 MU at RAF Lyneham. During April 1944 assigned to RAF Central Gunnery School coded R-H based at RAF Catfoss. In February 1945 assigned to No. 313 Squadron (Czech) coded RY-H. On May 12, 1945 assigned to 47 MU at Sealand for disassembly and packing as a gift of the British Government to Australia. Loaded as cargo aboard SS Fort Adelaide at Liverpool then shipped overseas to Melbourne arriving on July 17, 1945. During July 1945, assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and retained RAF serial number P7973 (no RAAF serial number was allocated). During August 1945 placed into open storage at RAAF Fairburn manged by No. 2 TMD until November 1949. Display On November 15, 1949 transfered to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) for public display. Since March 1950, displayed at the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Today, displayed in the Second World War Hall. Painted in the markings of Spitfire P7973 code R-H that was flown by Australian pilots. References Warbird Resource Group - Spitfire/P7973 via Wayback Machine February 25, 2021 ADF Serials Spitfire P7973 (photo gallery) Contribute
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