15/09/2021
Over the past week we have been honoured to assist the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight by hangaring and providing assistance in repairs to Spitfire PM631.
PM631 is now back at her base in Coningsby and here is a little info about her history;
Supermarine Spitfire PM631 was ordered from Vickers-Armstrong and built at Reading late in 1945, and then delivered to 6 Maintenance Unit, Brize Norton on the 6th November 1945.
Too late to see operational service during World War II she possibly served with 203 Advanced Flying School from May 1949 to January 1950 then stored until July 1951.
On the 2nd of July 1951, PM631 was sent to Meteorological Research Flight operated by Short Brothers at Hooton Park; unit moved to Woodvale on July 13th.
PM631 was used for Temperature and Humidity Monitoring Flight (THUM) at RAF Woodvale until 11 July 1957.
PM631 was then sent to Biggin Hill to be part of the Historic Aircraft Flight in July 1957, which later became the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).
She has been with the BBMF ever since except for a period when it was used for combat trials against the Central Fighter Establishment's Lightning’s at Binbrook in early 1964.
Used in 'The Battle of Britain' film in 1968.
PM631 is the BBMF's longest serving aircraft, with 2005 being her 48th year of continuous service on display duties.
PM631 is painted as an early PRXIX of 541 Squadron. Undergoing major maintenance at ARC from October 2009 including a wing re-spar, and new radio & GPS system fitted (estimated to be complete by April 2010).
