(All images by Urban Ghosts; dismantled Supermarine Spitfire X4590 at the RAF Museum)
Visitors to the RAF Museum, Hendon, might be disappointed to find the wartime treasures of its Battle of Britain Experience dismantled. But the ongoing inspections offer a rare glimpse into the internal workings of historic aircraft that few get to see. Several of the collection’s World War Two aircraft – most notably its Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109 – have been stripped down, and can currently be seen in various stages of completion.
The period aircraft are undergoing a detailed inspection ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force in 2018. The work seeks to ascertain their overall condition and determine what restoration work, if any, may be required. Urban Ghosts paid them a visit last week. The scene was fascinating to behold, set amid an unusually quiet exhibition hall that made us feel as though we had stepped back in time. (The dismantled wartime aircraft also brought to mind the incredible scenes revealed a few years ago within the Texas ranch of retired aviator ‘Connie’ Edwards.) These pictures show the three iconic fighters from the Battle, panels removed and innards on show.
Hawker Hurricane P2617
A highly successful monoplane drawing on proven Hawker biplane designs, the Hawker Hurricane was rugged, cost-effective and, like the famous Spitfire, distinguished itself during the Battle of Britain. Hurricane P2617 was one of 500 fighters ordered by the Air Ministry in 1938. Built by Gloster Aircraft Co Ltd in Gloucestershire, she was delivered to the RAF in January 1940, albeit initially for storage. But her downtime wouldn’t last long. Hurricane P2617 saw action during both the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, and was involved in several accidents throughout her career. After World War Two she made her film debut in Reach for the Skies, followed by a stint in the Battle of Britain movie, where she was seen taxiing though was no longer capable of flight. P2617 has been in the RAF Museum’s collection since the 1970s, coded AF-F and wearing the markings of No. 607 Squadron RAF. (Browse our guide to the world’s last airworthy Hawker Hurricanes.)
Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 4101
A formidable adversary to the aircraft of RAF Fighter Command, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Germany’s only single engine fighter during the Battle of Britain. What’s more, the aircraft seen here – Bf 109 E-3 4101 – had an especially short service life. Built in September 1940 in Leipzig, she took off from a Luftwaffe air base in the Pas-de-Calais on November 27 with 21-year-old pilot Lieutenant Wolfgang Teumer at the controls. Tasked with a fighter sweep over Kent, Teumer’s 109 was intercepted by a 66 Squadron out of RAF Biggin Hill, flown by Flt Lt George Christie DFC. When Christie’s bullets damaged his adversary’s radiator, forcing him out of the sky, Bf 109 E-3 4101 made a wheels up landing at Kent, and Wolfgang Teumer’s war was over.
The Messerschmitt was repaired, repainted in British markings and extensively test flown to determine the German fighter’s characteristics. She was later stored for museum use. Before finally finding her way to the RAF Museum at Hendon, north London, 4101 became one of the only genuine Messerschmitt Bf 109s to see film use in the Battle of Britain movie (the rest being Hispano Aviación HA-1112 Buchons, an export version delivered to the Spanish Air Force, which remained in service long after World War Two). Bf 109 E-3 4101 is now displayed in the markings of Black 12.
Supermarine Spitfire X4590
The RAF Museum at Hendon has several historic Spitfires of various marks, but only Spitfire X4590, an early Mk. 1a, is displayed within the Battle of Britain Experience. The aircraft was ordered as part of a military contract on June 9, 1940, immediately before the outbreak of the fight for Britain’s survival in the skies above southern England. Built by Supermarine Aviation in Southampton, X4590 first flew in September 1940 and was delivered to RAF Middle Wallop the following month, coded PR-F.
The aircraft is a genuine Battle of Brtain Spitfire and was credited with a half-share aerial victory over a Junkers Ju-88 on October 21st. By 1944 the tired warbird had been retired to ground duties. She served a variety of roles in the decades following World War Two and came into the RAF Museum’s collection during the 1970s. Seen here in her dismantled state, Spitfire X4590 bares the hallmarks of a hard-working, well-worn machine.
Related – Rare Two-Seat Hispano Aviación HA-1112-M4L Buchon to be Returned to Flight
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