Spitfire PR Mk XIX PM631 was built at Reading too late to see service in World War Two. It is representative though of similar high altitude photographic reconnaissance Spitfires which did serve operationally. Spitfire PR XIXs were unarmed but could fly at 370mph at 40,000 feet (with pressurised cockpits) and had a range of 1,500 miles. PM631 was delivered to the RAF on 6 November 1945 but was stored until May 1949 when it was issued to 203 Advanced Flying School. Later, after being modified for meteorological work, she was flown by civilian pilots with the Temperature and Humidity Monitoring (THUM) Flight based at Hooton Park and Woodvale. The THUM Flight made daily ascents to 30,000ft to gather meteorological information.

On 11 July 1957, PM631 was flown to Biggin Hill from Duxford by World War Two fighter ace Group Captain Jamie Rankin DSO* DFC*,in formation with two other THUM Flight Mk XIX Spitfires, PS853 and PS915, to form the Historic Aircraft Flight which later developed into the BBMF.

The amazing performance of this ultimate mark of the Spitfire is demonstrated by the fact that the world altitude record for piston engine aircraft is still held today by a PR XIX. Flying out of Kai Tak, Hong Kong, in February 1952, Flight Lieutenant Ted Powles AFC climbed his Spitfire PR XIX to a recorded 51,550ft! These aircraft truly represents the ‘top end’ of piston-engine aircraft development and demonstrate the potential in Reginald Mitchell’s original, brilliant Spitfire design.

PM631 is presented as a PR XIX of N^o 541 Squadron which performed photographic reconnaissance missions over the Europe from early 1944 to the end of the war. Flight Lieutenant Ray Holmes was one of the courageous pilots of 541 Squadron who flew dangerous, long-range, singleton, photo reconnaissance flights over enemy territory. For more of Ray Holmes’ story and to find out what it was like to fly photo-recce ‘ops’ in PR XIX Spitfires, click here

Images:

Header Image: ( Larger size) PM631 landing from airtest at Duxford 2011 (Photographer: Tony Clarke)

Image 1: ( larger size) PM631 in flight (Photographer: Jarrod Cotter)

Image 2: ( Larger size) Flt Lt Ted Powles AFC

Image 3: ( Larger size) PM631 in flight (Photographer: Jarrod Cotter)