Nineteen years after it first flew – albeit under a crane – into the Air and Space Hall of the Museum of Science and Industry, the Spitfire Fighter Reconnaissance aeroplane is being returned to the Royal Air Force Museum London, for a special exhibition. This iconic World War Two era fighter plane will go on show later this month as part of an exhibition on aerial photography – Britain from Above. .

Since 1995 the plane has been prominently displayed in the museum’s popular Air and Space Hall on loan from the RAF Museum. It has now been painstakingly and carefully dismantled wing by wing and end to end over the last four days ahead of its next journey from Manchester to North London. It is hoped its departure on Sunday morning will prove less traumatic than its arrival when Manchester motorists were subjected to much chaos between the hours of 3.00pm and 7.00pm as the plane made its way to its temporary new home at the Museum of Science and Industry.

This new role for the fighter plane is a fantastic opportunity for one of the museum’s much cherished exhibits to tell the important story of aerial photography. Spitfires are most famous for their role in the Battle of Britain in 1940. But after the war, 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron used the Spitfire FRXIVe for photographic reconnaissance.

This variant had a clipped wing to provide more stability during the low altitude flight necessary for taking photos. Based at RAF Ringway (now Manchester Airport), the aeroplane was operated by 613 Squadron from 1946 to 1948.

Alice Cliff, Curator of Science and Technology at Museum of Science and Industry says,

“We are delighted that this iconic aeroplane is going to be part of a new exhibition. We know it has been revered and loved by the many thousands of people who have visited the Air and Space Hall over the years and we are thrilled that many more will get the chance to see it when it reappears in London’s RAF Museum later this month. “

Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections, Royal Air Force Museum, commented:

“It has been an honour for us to share this iconic aircraft with the people of Manchester. We now look forward to its return to the RAF museum where it will be part of a joint exhibition with English Heritage – Britain from Above – which highlights its capabilities within the role of aerial reconnaissance’

The Air and Space Hall at the Museum of Science and Industry remains one of the museum’s most visited halls where visitors of all ages enjoy learning about the early days of flying. Pride of place goes to the aircraft built by A. V. Roe & Co. Ltd (Avro), founded in Manchester in 1910. Visitors can also discover the links between car and aircraft production in Manchester.

Britain From Above, opens at the RAF Museum, London on 22 February 2014 – 31 March 2015.

www.rafmuseum.org

Tags: 2014, February, News, RAF Museum London