Spitfire coming to Exeter Airport for passenger flights

A newly restored Spitfire is coming to Exeter Airport next week and will be offering passenger flights.

The 1942 Mk IX Spitfire BS410, G-TCHI, a combat veteran of some 35 sorties during the European theatre of the Second World War, is owned by the philanthropic Devonian businessman, Martin Phillips, the Spitfire restorer and owner of Tool Care Hire Ltd. BS410’s last pilot was the Polish Pilot Officer, Piotr Kuryllowicz of 315 (Deblin) Squadron. On the 13th of May 1943 during ‘Ramrod 71’, he had to abandon the aircraft after its cooling system was damaged in combat.

The Spitfire crashed in marshland near Occoches, northwest of Doullens in France’s Somme department. Piotr was subsequently captured by the Germans and was sent to Stalag Luft III where he actively partook in several escape attempts. Piotr also survived the grueling ‘Long March’. Fortunately, he survived the war and is alive today, living in Canada. He is now the grand old age of 102!

BS410 has a fascinating history. She was flown by Francis ‘Gabby’ Gabreski who flew the aircraft with 315 Squadron to gain European theatre combat experience. Francis was later to make his name flying P-47s with the USAAF’s 56th Fighter Group becoming the top scoring 8th Air Force fighter Ace in Europe with 28.5 victories in World War II, plus a further 6.5 victories in Korea.

BS410 in the foreground. Photo: Liam Young via Spitfires.com

As well as carrying out 35 operational sorties with 315 Squadron which included ‘Ramrod’, ‘Rodeo’, ‘Circus’ and escort sorties, BS410 has also been flown by a number of well-known Polish Battle of Britain pilots and aces. Her other claim to fame came on the 27th of February 1943 when Pilot Officer Blok of 315 Squadron took BS410 on a patrol over Wembley Stadium for the England v. Wales football match!

Manufactured in Chattis Hill, following the bombing of Woolston, the decision was made to disperse Spitfire production facilities. Chattis Hill was chosen as one of the sites and assembly sheds were constructed to the North of the World War I aerodrome. A new airfield was used to the West of the original site. The whole operation was well-camouflaged. Supermarine commenced operations there in December 1940 with the first aircraft being delivered during March of 1941. The use of this facility as a Spitfire assembly plant continued until 1945 when the airfield was closed, although Supermarine used the buildings until 1948.

BS410 was ordered from Vickers Armstrong (Supermarine) on the 24th of October, 1940 as one of 1,100 F.I aircraft. However, it was eventually built at Salisbury as a Merlin 61-powered F.IX in the batch BS383-411. Her final assembly took place at Chattis Hill, from where she made her first flight on the 28th of October 1942.

BS410 will be flying from Exeter Airport which is steeped in Polish history and members of the public can join us for a flight in one of the most iconic aircraft of all time. We will be offering passenger flights with this historic Spitfire from Exeter between the 17th and 18th of October this year.

The significance of returning this aircraft to airworthy status is a real accomplishment and we as a company and as a nation should be proud to take BS410 into the skies where she belongs, once again.

You can book a flight at www.spitfires.com or call 01243 531147.