Eastbourne International Airshow 2017
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SPITFIRE<br />
Mk IX<br />
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British singleseat<br />
fighter aircraft, used by the Royal Air<br />
Force and many other Allied countries<br />
before, during and after World War II.<br />
The Spitfire was built in many variants and<br />
produced in greater numbers than any other British<br />
aircraft. It was also the only British fighter to be in<br />
continuous production throughout the war.<br />
RR232 was built in Castle Bromwich by Vickers<br />
Armstrong and delivered to the RAF in 1944<br />
as an ‘HF.IX’ high altitude fighter where it was<br />
allocated to an anti-aircraft co-operation<br />
Squadron. It was then sold to the South<br />
African Air Force (SAAF) in 1948. She finally<br />
made it back to Britain in 1986 but it was<br />
not until 2001 that current owner Martin<br />
Phillips bought the aircraft and began a<br />
full restoration to airworthy condition<br />
that would take nearly 13 years! With<br />
parts having been sourced from myriad<br />
locations around the world.<br />
FLYING TIMES<br />
Sat 13:21; Sun 13:51<br />
DIMENSIONS<br />
Height: 3.86m; Length: 9.58m<br />
Wingspan: 11.23m<br />
PERFORMANCE<br />
Max Speed: 400mph<br />
POWERPLANT<br />
1 x Rolls-Royce Merlin 70<br />
DID YOU KNOW?<br />
During the full restoration one of the<br />
wings was salvaged from a hedge outside<br />
a pub near Exeter! She is now known as the<br />
‘City of Exeter’ in honour of a presentation<br />
Spitfire donated to the war effort.<br />
50<br />
EASTBOURNE INTERNATIONAL aIR S HOW <strong>2017</strong>