The Making of the film:
The survivors
Spitfire Mk.FXIVc RM689
Squadrons:
Type: VS379
Engine: Griffon 61
Serial/Reg. RM689, (G-ALGT)
Sqdn - code: AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit), 350-MN-E, 443-2I-
Other codes carried: 130 – AP-D
Role in film: Flew, Currently: restoration
History
RM689 was built at the Chattis Hill facility against Contract No.1877/C23 and delivered to No.39 MU Colerne on 3rd July 1944. Its first unit was the Air Fighting Development Unit at Wittering, to which it was delivered on 5th August 1944, and where it was used to test a new wrap-around windscreen design. It was undergoing repairs of some kind from 13th September to 4th October and these may have been in connection with the installation of the new windscreen. The tests were completed by 10th November, as it was on that day that RM689 was allocated to No.33 MU Lyneham where it remained until 24th February 1945 when it was flown to No.83 Group Support Unit at Dunsfold and prepared for squadron service with No.350 (Belgian) squadron, which it joined on 1st March.
As with other 2nd TAF units, No.350 squadron was stationed in Europe in early 1945 and in April 689 suffered damage which required the attention of No.409 RSU (Repair and Servicing Unit) on 5th April. The damage may have been extensive, as on 19th April the aircraft was transferred to No.151 RU (Recovery Unit?) before being returned to Dunsfold on 17th May for No.83 GSU to lend a hand. It returned to its squadron o 12th July and continued in service until 14th January 1946, when it joined No.443 (RCAF) squadron of No.144 (Canadian) Wing 2 TAF. Two months later, on 20th March, it flew home to No.29 MU High Ercall, where it was placed in store, remaining there until February 1949, when it was sold to the Ministry of Supply acting on behalf of Rolls-Royce Ltd, to whom it was registered as G-ALGT and given a C of A on 8th June 1950. Based at Hucknall, the Spitfire was used for Griffon engine development work and then as a chase/high-speed/taxi/communications aircraft until relegated to display work in the mid-1960’s.
In 1967 it joined the cast of the Battle of Britain, acquiring a set of wing tips which it has since retained, and was restored in 1944 camouflage as “RM619” coded “AP-D” of No.130 squadron. The reasons for the choice are unclear, but it is suggested that it may have been copied from the Frog plastic kit of the time. The error being corrected.
Crashed 27/6/92 at Woodford Airshow killing pilot David Moore during low level loop. Ten years after the fatal crash it is now being rebuilt to flying condition at Filton.
Current location – Rolls Royce, Sandown, Isle of Wight – restoration.
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