General History

The Spitfire was the brainchild of designer Reginald Mitchell and evolved from his experience with the early super marine seaplane racers.  The racers went on to win 3 prestigious races that ultimately won the Schneider Cup Trophy for Great Britain in 1933.  Based on the experience with the racing aircraft, super marine started the development of a fighter in 1935.  This aircraft entered World War II in 1939 and was known as the Spitfire.  With its elegant elliptical wing and great performance, it became well known worldwide during the Battle of Britain in 1940.  

As the war progressed and more performance was needed, the Spitfire evolved with bigger engines and minor refinements.  The Mk 16 was the first model to be built with the low-back canopy for improved visibility and clipped wings for increased roll rate.  Spitfires served in all theaters of the war, and were flown by every allied country, including the United States.  A total of 20,334 Spitfires were built, making it one of the most widely fighters ever produced.

Personal History

This particular aircraft was built at Castle Bromwich, England in 1945, the last year of the war.  In 1958, it was 1 of 2 Spitfires used to form the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight that continues to fly at air shows in Great Britain today.  Retired in 1960, it was later made run-able for taxi shots in the film, the Battle of Britain.  In 1970, it was mounted as a gate guard in front of the Northholt RAF station in London.  At some point in the 1980’s, it was traded out of the Royal Air Force.  Kermit acquired the aircraft in 1989 and it was shipped to Miami, Florida for storage.  After Hurricane Andrew devastated Kermit’s shop and the Weeks Air Museum in 1992, it was shipped back to Personal Plane Services in England for restoration.

Over a 6 year period, the aircraft was slowly restored using almost 90% of its original aircraft skins.  Kermit insisted that the aircraft be restored to as original condition as possible.  This was unheard of in England at the time.  Guns, cannons, gun sight and original working radios are all installed, making this the most originally restored Spitfire in the world!  Its' post-restoration flight occurred in June of 1995.  It was soon shipped to Florida where it was re-assembled to start flying at Fantasy of Flight.

Unlike the Americans, British pilots were not allowed to paint their aircraft with personal markings.  Looking for an interesting paint scheme, Kermit decided to honor squadron Commander Ramond “Cheval” Lallemand.  He flew a Spitfire Mk XVI and was the top scoring Belgian Ace in World War II.

Kermit Comment

Many World War II fighters have a tendency to swing on take-off when the tail is raised.  This is due to the gyroscopic inertia of the propeller and is most noticeable in the P-51 Mustang.  When a Mustang pilot applies power for take-off, it takes full right rudder to overcome this tendency.  This problem is hardly noticeable in the Spitfire.  This is because its' lighter propeller blades are made out of wood.