Having recently been compiling an index for some 3,500 b&w prints taken and collected by the late Don Stephens, was quite excited when I came across a print of the RAF West Kirby gate guardian Spitfire, knowing that there had been a request for the photo of that aircraft. For once the Forum 'search' function worked - only for me to discover the enquiry was looking for a Meteor there! However, a quick Excel search of my new data base did discover a photograph of the same Meteor, but a few years later and at a different location.
As a 'bonus', I'll thread drift across the Wirral to Heswall with a photo of an Avro 19 Anson, which as a further bonus is in colour! I'm also adding a few photos onto the 'Spitfires at Hoylake' thread.
The RAF West Kirby Spitfire VC AR614, but with no external serial applied, photographed at RAF West Kirby circa September 1957
The Meteor, which has been identified as EE405, wearing 5897M/B at RAF Bridgnorth, photographed on 6th May 1960. Don lists it as a Meteor F.4, but Bruce Robinson in British Military Serials has it down as a Derwent engined F.3. In Don's defence, the early marks of Meteor were externally quite similar.
As a bonus a further aircraft kept on the Wirral for a time was this Avro Anson C.19, TX155 at Heswall Children's Hospital on a snowy 13th January 1968.
SPITFIRE Vc AR614Ordered August 1940 from Westland Aircraft Ltd. Built summer of 1942 fitted with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 46 engine. Delivered to 39MU on 28th August 1942
Issued to No.312 (Czech) Sqdn at Harrowbeer on 11th September 1942 and coded DU:Y. In 1943 damaged by flak, but back in service by 9th September 1943.
To County of Chester Sqdn at Bolt Head, Devon.
To RAF Ackington, where it suffered two flying accidents.
In July 1945 to RAF No. 4 School of Technical Training at St.Athan as an instructional airframe as 6371M
It would appear that Spitfire Vc AR614 first appeared on display duties at RAF Padgate in 1949, then at RAF West Kirby 1952-58, RAF Hednesford from 1/58 and RAF Bridgnorth 1958-1963. At some stage issued with another 'M' serial, 7555M. In 1963 moved to RAF Dishforth for disposal.
Sold by the MOD in 1963 to the Air Museum of Calgary, Alberta and shipped to them in 1964.
Sold to Don Campbell of Ontario who commenced restoration to flight and registered C-FDUY in 1986, but restoration to fly never completed.
Returned to the UK for further restoration to flight work with OFMC at Duxford, 1992. Registered G-BUWA.
Reflown by Historic Flying at Audley End 05.11.96, painted as AR614/DU-Z, now with a R-R Merlin 35 Engine.
To Hawker Restorations in 1999 for overhaul and sale. Sold in USA 2002. Reregistered N614VC to the Flying Heritage Collection, Seattle in Washington State and in 2016 was with Vulcan Warbirds still in the Seattle area.
A Google of 'Spitfire AR614' will find more detail and images.
Further photograph of AR614 at RAF Bridgnorth 6th May 1960, looking very much the same as 3 years earlier at West Kirby. Don also has an undated one of it at RAF Hednesford too!
