In November 1983 40 Sqd SAAF celebrated a 40 year reunion with a flypast of three types that had served the squadron well: The Spitfire from WW2 and the early post-war years, the Harvard from its Active Citizen Force years from 1953 to 1982 when the squadron started operating the Impalas. 40 Sqd was disbanded on 29 April 1983. Photographer unknown

Following use in the 1968 Battle of Britain film, the Shuttleworth Trust's Spitfire G-AWII/AR501 was stored and then entrusted to restoration by a joint team from the East Anglian Aviation Society/SVAS at Duxford starting in 1973. AR501 took to the skies again in the hands of Neil Williams on 27 June 1975 in its clipped wing configuration and wearing the colours of 310 (Czech) Sqdn. It is seen here a year later taxying out to return to Old Warden after its display Current in 2025 with the Shuttleworth Collection.

Built at Castle Bromwich in the later stages of WW, TE213 went to 33 MU at RAF Pershore on 23 May 1945. Flown with 135 other Spitfire Mk IXs to RAF Fayid for delivery to the SAAF 1 July 1947. Taken on charge 4 July 1947 and given the serial 5518. Retired in 1954 and placed on gate guardian duty at AFB Waterkloof, with the fake serial W5851 which was later 'corrected' to W5518. Restored to airworthy condition and painted as 5553 in 1995. This was another Mk IXE from the same batch that suffered a Cat 2 near Vereeniging 8 December 1950. Rebuilt to airworthy condition it crashed during a display at the Swartkop Air Show in 2000. Photographer unknown

Photo by A. le Nobel.

Spitfire action over Hong Kong in 1949. TP445 struck off charge in December 1950, just before No 28 Sqn got Vampires. Photo by: Jack Birns / Life

No 28 Sqn in Hong Kong was one of the RAF's last Spitfire squadrons. Other shots show that this is TP372, which served with No 28 indeed until struck off charge in July 1950. Photo by: Jack Birns / Life

Location thought to be RAF Westhampnett (now Goodwood), the 309th Fighter Squadron's base when it was about to deploy to North Africa in October 1942. Aircraft name on cockpit door. Photo by: Margaret Bourke-White / Life

In Richard Grace's hangar/workshop approaching the end of a very long and protracted restoration which had seen it pass through many owners and many different workshops.

PP972 restored in the wartime markings of No. 809 Sqdn, FAA, a unit with which it served at Trincomalee, Ceylon, in 1945. These marks were carried on the port side only. Photo from Jean Frelaut.

PP972 restored in the markings of No. 767 Sqdn, FAA, the "MV" code is Milltown where the aircraft was based in 1946. These markings were carried on the starboard side. Jean Frelaut photo.

Showing the wings folded

Jean Frelaut's Christmas Card image from December 1985 showing PP972 having been restored in the markings that it carried when embarked on board the carrier "Arromanches" in 1948.

short lived 121 squadron markings. Photographer unknown

PP972 in a 'wired off compound' at Base Aeronavale 83 Gâvres, near Lorient, parked alongside a derelict Bloch 175T. It was first seen by Jean Frelaut during 1965 and in 1970 he managed to buy it at scrap value — the Bloch was scrapped on the same day — and his team of enthusiasts moved it to the aerodrome at Vannes-Meucon. To Doug Arnold, UK in 1988 for restoration at Biggin Hill. Registered G-BUAR in January 1992. Photo by Jean Frelaut

Gate Guard at RAF Acklington for ten years between August 1959 and August 1969. Flying in California as N752TB at time of upload following restoration by Avspecs in New Zealand. (photographer unknown)

Photo taken near Elstree by Richard Riding, probably shortly after G-ASJV was acquired by Tim Davies. The wingtips were added to help cope with Elstree's short runway, initial familiarisation flights having been made at Stansted.