The Spitfire MkXVI saw combat action during 1945.
TB 752 is one of the few surviving Spitfires with a wartime record. Built at Castle Bromwich in the early part of 1944 she entered service with the famous No. 66 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in March 1945 bearing the Squadron Code LZ-F. Carrying an armament of 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 0.5 machine guns as well as a 500 lb bomb and 2 x 250 lb bombs: she was used initially against road and rail targets in Northern Holland and Germany.
On the 25th March 1945, TB 752 was classified as Cat C AC (badly damaged) after the port undercarriage leg failed to lower for landing, the main damage being to the wing and propeller blades. She was removed to No. 409 Repair and Salvage Unit and re-issued to No. 403 "Wolf" Squadron RCAF on 19th April 1945, operating from Diepholz in Germany and bearing the Squadron code KH-Z. On the 21st April and on his very first flight in TB 752, the Squadron 'C.O.', Squadron Leader 'Hank' Zary DFC RCAF destroyed a Me 109. Four days later Flying Officer David Leslie destroyed an unidentified German aircraft but believed to be a Fw 189 reconnaissance aircraft.
On the 1st May Flying Officer ‘Bob’ Young destroyed a Fw 190 and two days later an He 111 bomber fell to the guns of Flying Officer ‘Fred’ Town. - TB 752’s Final Victory which is depicted in the superb painting by Michael Turner (prints of which are obtainable from the museum shop).
20,334
The number of Spitfires manufactured between 1936 and 1948. More Spitfire Mk V aircraft were built (6,487) than any other type. 1,054 Spitfire Mk XVI's rolled off the production line at Castle Bromwich. The Mk XVI was developed with clipped wings to attain higher speed. TB752 shows the Wolf insignia of 403 (Wolf) Squadron RCAF.
After years of neglect ‘752’ was removed to Manston in 1955 and stood for many proud years as station gate guardian - but sadly corroding away at an ever increasing rate.
TB752 as a gate guardian at Manston
However, in 1978 the Medway Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society offered to restore her and on 7th July TB 752 was removed to Rochester Airport. Some 15,000 man hours later ‘752’ re-emerged in pristine condition and returned to Manston on 15th September 1979. The decision was then made that such a finely restored aircraft must be properly housed and fund raising started immediately: such was the response that TB 752 moved into her permanent 'quarters' early in 1981.
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Wing Span (clipped) | 32ft 7in (231 sq ft area) |
| Length | 31ft 6in (broad chord rudder) |
| Tail Span | 10ft 6in |
| Weights | Max take-off 9,500 lb Normal 7900 lb |
| Power Unit | Packard Merlin 266 delivering 1580 (max) hp |
| Engine Weight | 1645 lbs |
| Airscrew | 4 blade constant speed Rotol airscrew with Jablo or Hydulignum wood blades |
| Armament | 2 x 20mm cannon with 120 rounds |
| 4 x 0.303 machine guns with 350 rounds each |
Donations are very gratefully received. Not only because they let us know that we enjoy the support and interest of our visitors but also because, like many charities, we can claim Gift Aid support which could add an additional 20% to our donated income.
Our partners
The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum CIO
is grateful to the team at JJUK ltd
for their continued assistance
