Aircraft History
Spitfire MK805
1944 to 1946
The history of the original Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX that served as the inspiration for MK805, from the production line at Castle Bromwich to wartime service and beyond.
Origins
Born at Castle Bromwich
By the spring of 1944, the Vickers-Armstrong Shadow Factory at Castle Bromwich was producing Spitfires at the rate of one per hour. Against this backdrop of industrialised urgency, Spitfire Mk IX MK805 rolled off the production line in March 1944, one of over 11,000 aircraft built at the facility during the war.
The Mk IX was a critical development for the RAF. Introduced in 1942 as an urgent response to the formidable Focke-Wulf Fw 190, it restored the balance of air superiority over the Channel. Powered by the superb Rolls-Royce Merlin 66, the Mk IX was fast, manoeuvrable and capable of operating at high altitude, the ideal platform for the final push over occupied Europe.
MK805 was fitted with the distinctive “clipped, cropped and cleaned” configuration favoured by many RAF squadrons for low-altitude work: clipped wing tips for improved roll rate, a cropped supercharger impeller and cleaned engine cowlings. In this form it entered operational service on 5 July 1944 with No. 64 Squadron.
Timeline
Key Dates in
MK805's History
From production at Castle Bromwich to service with No. 64 Squadron, retirement in 1946, and its eventual role as the inspiration for today's replica.
The Legacy
History Preserved
for New Generations
When MK805 was struck off charge in 1946, the Spitfire's story might have ended there. Instead, surviving documentation, parts and the memory of those who flew and maintained the type were preserved by passionate historians and craftspeople.
Today, the static replica ensures that the story of MK805, and the thousands of young men and women who built, flew and maintained these remarkable aircraft, continues to be told at events across Britain. Every display brings history to life for a new generation.
Bring History to Your Event
Spitfire MK805 is available nationwide for airshows, exhibitions, film and TV, and special occasions. Minimum hire one day. Contact us to check availability.