SUPERMARINE Spitfire (TE456)

Info from the Auckland Museum:


"Auckland Museum's Mark XVI Spitfire was ordered on 19 April 1944 and built at Castle Bromwich, England. Completed by August 1945, in March the following year it was issued to No. 501 Squadron (County of Gloucester), Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based at Filton.

"In 1951 the Spitfire was placed in storage at Cosford and in 1953 transferred to Lyneham. Later that year it was issued to No. 3 CAACU Exeter, where it was painted silver and coded '43'.

"...No. 485 New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, operated Marks V, IX and XVI between 1941 and 1945 from bases in Britain and Europe.

"In August 1955, TE 456 was transferred to No. 33 Maintenance Unit. Here the wingtips, guns, and sight were refitted and the aircraft recorded to TE 425, for it to be used in the war film "Reach for the Sky." Soon after it was transferred to No. 47 Maintenance Unit, Sealand, in preparation for dispatch to New Zealand.

"TE 456 was presented to the Auckland Museum in 1956 by the Air Ministry, United Kingdom, at the request of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park. Although a later model than those used in the Battle of Britain, Sir Keith chose it from those available in the 1950's because it bore the closest resemblance to the aircraft flown by New Zealanders. Also, it had been in the No. 501 Squadron, which served under his command during the Battle of Britain."