Spitfire Mk9 – RR232 – City of Exeter (G-BRSF)
Witness the majesty of the Spitfire Mk IX – RR232 in flight with a spectacular private display or from metres away in a fly alongside experience.
Specifications
Designed for altitude and endurance in the war’s final push, this Mk IX delivers classic Spitfire agility with commanding power.
The history of the Spitfire Mk IX – RR232 (G-BRSF)
- October 1944: RR232 was built at Castle Bromwich by Vickers Armstrong and delivered to the RAF as an HF.IX high-altitude fighter, allocated to an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron
- 1948: Sold to the South African Air Force and redesignated as aircraft 5632
- 1954: Last flown in South Africa by Lt Ron Beamish of No. 2 Squadron before being ground looped and placed into derelict storage at Salt River
- 1976: Purchased by Australian collector Peter Sledge and restored to static display standard
- 1986: Returned to Britain after being bought by Charles Church, who later sold the airframe to Jim Pearce of Sussex Spraying Services
- 2001: Acquired by current owner Martin Phillips, who began a full restoration to airworthy condition after being challenged by friends on his 40th birthday to produce a Spitfire from the single rivet with which they presented him
- 2001-2012: Underwent an extensive 13-year restoration to airworthy condition using parts sourced globally, including a wing recovered from a hedge near a pub outside Exeter
- December 2012: Flew again after installation of a fully rebuilt Merlin engine and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval, becoming the last aircraft assembled at Filton Aerodrome before its closure for redevelopment
- Present day: Now known as the ‘City of Exeter’, honouring a wartime presentation Spitfire funded by local residents, and operated by Spitfires.com from Goodwood Aerodrome in association with Tool Care Hire of Exeter, Devon
About the Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire was a British single-seat fighter used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied forces before, during and after World War II. Produced in many variants and greater numbers than any other British aircraft, it was the only British fighter in continuous production throughout the war.
Originally designed as a short-range, high-speed interceptor by R. J. Mitchell, the Spitfire featured an elliptical wing by B. Shenstone. It had the thinnest cross-section possible to minimise drag and deliver a higher top speed than contemporary fights, including the Hawker Hurricane.
Mitchell continued to refine the design until his death in 1937. After that, his colleague Joseph Smith took over as chief designer, overseeing the Spitfire’s evolution across its many variants.
Spitfire Flight Reviews
These are the kind of reviews you only get after something extraordinary.
Where can I fly alongside the Spitfire Mk IX – RR232?
All our fly alongside experiences take place from Goodwood Aerodrome in Sussex. The aircraft is available for displays across the country.
Goodwood
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