History[]
Built in 1945, this aircraft was delivered from Castle Bromwich to No.6 MU at Brize Norton on 20th July. Assigned to No.604 squadron RAuxAF on 1st April 1947, 382 remained in service until 14th April 1950, when it was retired to No.33 MU Lyneham. Passed to No.3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Unit at Exeter (coded “A”) on 11th June, the aircraft was transferred to the Control and Reporting School at Middle Wallop on 17th October
Retired again on 14th July 1953, when it flew to No.45 MU at Kinloss, it moved on to No.29 MU at High Ercall two weeks later, and was struck off charge on 14th December 1954. Allocated to No.609 squadron at Church Fenton as instructional airframe 7245M on 28th November 1955, the aircraft was transferred to RAF Leconfield in 1957, surving as gate guard with serial RW729 and codes DW-X until 1973, apart for a brief period at RAF Henlow in 1967-1968 for filming purposes.
Displayed on pole at RAF Uxbridge from 4 April 1973 till August 1988, when it was accquired by Tim Routis/Historic Flying Ltd, Cambridge. Passed to David Tallichet/MARC, Chino, CA in 1989, it rejoined Tim Routis/Historic Flying Ltd, this time at Audley End, on 2 July 1991. Registered as G-XVIA, it flew on 3 July 1991 at Audley ,as RW382/NG-C.
Sent to Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, Chino, CA, in 1991, it was owned by Bernie F. Jackson, Manitoba, Canada, 1994-1995. Arrivng at Audley End to be dismantled for shipment to USA, on 13 February 1995. 382 was owned by Thomas F. & Bernie Jackson, Glenbrook, NV, from 21 August Aug. 21, 1995 as N382RW, until it crashed in Blue Canyon, CA, on 3 June 1998.
Registered to Pemberton-Billing LLP as G-PBIX, it was sent to the Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd in 2011 for restoration to fly, returning to the air on 18 September 2013 at Biggin Hill, in the hands of Clive Denney.[1]
Notes[]
- ↑ Static scenes