Supermarine Spitfire PR MkXIX (RAF)

Product Description

Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XIX (RAF) (1:48 scale)
- The Spitfire PR.XIX was the last Spitfire with elliptical wings & was the last RAF Spitfire type in front-line service. The PR.XIX was a combination of power by the Griffon engine of the Mk.XIV & the wings of the PR.XI making it the fastest Spitfire. Weapons were removed to allow for larger fuel tanks in the leading edge of the wings making it possible to fly missions as far as Berlin at altitudes over 40, 000 feet. By the end of production 225 XIX had been made. Built in November 1945 as a high altitude photo reconnaissance aircraft with a Griffon 66 engine & pressurised cockpit, Spitfire PM631 (Mk PRXIX) PM631 was too late to see operational service in WWII. She was delivered to the RAF in 1946 & issued to 203 Advanced Flying School in May 1949. Modified for meteorological work, she was leased to Short Bros & was flown by civilian pilots with the Temperature & Humidity Monitoring (THUM) Flight based at Hooton Park & Woodvale. On 11 July 1957, in formation with Spitfires PS853 & PS915, the aircraft was flown to Biggin Hill to form the Historic Aircraft Flight which later developed into the BBMF. Unlike the other two Mk XIXs that spent time as gate guardians, PM631 has remained in flying condition with the Flight & is the BBMF’s longest serving aircraft, with 2008 being her 51st year of continuous service on display duties.