Spitfire PS915 (Mk XIX) - 'The Last'
|
|
|
This aircraft entered service just too late for the war, joining 541 Squadron at Benson in June 1945 before moving to the PR Development Unit to take part in tests of new cameras. Assigned to 2 Squadron at Wunsdorf in Germany she later flew strategic reconnaissance sorties in connection with the East/West divide of Europe.
This aircraft conducted the last ever operational sortie by an RAF Spitfire when, on 1 April 1954, it flew a photographic mission over an area of jungle in Johore thought to contain hideouts for Communist guerrillas. For the occasion the aircraft’s ground crew painted the inscription ‘The Last!’ on the left side of the nose cowling.
Our photographer was lucky enough to see - and hear - the RAF mechanics putting the Griffin engine through it's paces.
