How many Spitfires were shot down in WWII?
Production was slow at first, but by September 1940 it was in service with 18 RAF squadrons. Spitfires shot down a total of 529 enemy aircraft, for a loss of 230 of their own.
What happened to all the Spitfires after the war?
In 1947 it was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force and later retired to The Hellenic Air Force Museum. In 2018, the aircraft went to the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar in the UK to be restored to fly. The Spitfire made its first flight after restoration on 19 January 2020.
How much did a Spitfire cost in 1940?
In February 1940 a breakdown of the cost of a Spitfire Mk I comes in at £8,897 6s 6d. To put this in perspective, an organisation could ‘pay’ for a presentation single engine fighter (they invariably chose a Spitfire) by raising £5,000. This is equivalent to about £250,000 today.
What is the lifespan of a plane?
On average, an aircraft is operable for about 30 years before it has to be retired. A Boeing 747 can endure about 35,000 pressurization cycles and flights—roughly 135,000 to 165,000 flight hours—before metal fatigue sets in. 747s are retired after approximately 27 years of service.
How much is a Spitfire worth?
The Spitfires were like a treasure chest waiting to be found since a single Spitfire in working condition can fetch around £2.5 million. During his first attempt to find them, Mr. Cundall ended up very disappointed. The dig was stopped by the Burmese Government after they found some underground cables connected to the airport.
What happened to the Spitfire planes after WW2?
Reports say that it was decided to bury the planes when the war ended rather than shipped back to Europe. The RAF’s Spitfire is an iconic aircraft that was the key force against the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 and was redeveloped and used all through the war.
Is there a mysterious Spitfire burial ground in Myanmar?
Some years ago an aircraft enthusiast got media coverage around the world by claiming the existence of a mysterious Spitfire burial ground in Myanmar, which was once called Burma. David Cundall from the UK claimed that 140 of the Royal Air Force planes had been buried at the end of WWII to prevent the Japanese from finding and using them.
Why is the Spitfire so famous?
The RAF’s Spitfire is an iconic aircraft that was the key force against the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 and was redeveloped and used all through the war.