(Image: Phillip Capper)
Movie production for the epic 1969 war film Battle of Britain saw some 100 period aircraft assembled in what was dubbed the ’35th largest air force in the world’.
Twenty-seven Supermarine Spitfires of various marks, 12 of them airworthy, were sourced and adjusted to make them look like early Mk.1s. Six Hawker Hurricanes, three in flying condition, were also used.
On the Luftwaffe side, producers employed 32 CASA 2.111 twin-engine bombers and 27 HA-1112 M1L ‘Buchon’ fighter aircraft – Spanish-built versions of the German Heinkel He 111 and Messerschmitt Bf 109. Like their British counterparts, a series of alterations were made to ensure aircraft were as accurate as possible for the period.
Only one airworthy Spitfire used in the film had fought in the Battle of Britain during the summer of 1940. And though critics and die hard aviation fans dubbed this varied fleet ‘Mark Haddies’ after Group Captain Hamish Mahaddie, tasked with tracking down the aircraft prior to filming, the movie played an important role in restoring many of these classic planes, some to flying condition.
(Watch rare behind-the-scenes footage (including stunts) from the making of Battle of Britain)
But in addition to those used in aerial sequences, a large number of full-size replica aircraft would be required as ‘set dressing’. Pinewood Studios was tasked with building the full-scale fibreglass and wood Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bf 109s needed to make airfield scenes more realistic – and take direct hits from falling ‘bombs’ when necessary.
Due to the shortage of real period aircraft for use in filming, some of these models were kitted out with motorbike engines (some sources say lawnmower engines) and able to taxi. The beautifully restored Hawker Hurricane replica above is believed to have been used during Battle of Britain production.
The aircraft, which carries the serial number P2916, was photographed in 2007 at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in New Zealand, where it is understood to have been shipped after filming wrapped. Coded ‘UP-D’, the Hurricane commemorates a local airman, Flying Officer James C.F. Hayter of No. 605 Squadron, who gained his wings at the Marlborough Aero Club and was shot down in P2916 on October 26, 1940.
(Image: Ron Hann)
It’s understood that the film’s replica Hurricanes were more convincing than its Spitfires. Interestingly, a handful of surviving replicas, along with several Bf 109 mock-ups, are now displayed at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum. This fascinating collection occupies part of the former RAF Hawkinge – the closest British air base to France – which was operated by No. 11 Group RAF Fighter Command during World War Two.
Related – Restored Spitfire P9374, Shot Down Over Dunkirk, to be Sold at Auction
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