In very close formation with MkIX MH434

British ground crews working on Soviet Spitfires in Iran - they were shipped to Basra and transferred to the Russians in nearby Abadan. The Russians didn't like the Spitfire very much. It seems they didn't get the best airframes as BM186 and BL625, the third aircraft, had both met with accidents in RAF service during 1942 and the second, AD236, was a 1941 veteran. These three had already arrived in Basra before the end of 1942. Photo by: Sgt Neill / Imperial War Museums

A magical A2A opportunity with the Hellenic Air Force Museum's beautiful Spitfire LF.IX following its participation at the Athens Flying Week airshow, Tanagra.

The second Brussels Aero Show took place just a few weeks before the outbreak of WWII. Britain displayed this 'Speed Spitfire', the heavily modified 48th Spitfire I. It had demonstrated a top speed of 657 km/h (408 mph) but this was not good enough for a world speed record attempt. Its radiator was then replaced with an evaporative cooling system. Meanwhile though the He 100 V8 and the Me 209 brought the world speed record to 746 km/h and 755 km/h (469 mph) which the Type 323 could never touch. K9834 was converted to a photo recce Spitfire but it range was too short to be of use. In the background is the Reid and Sigrist RS.1 Snargasher trainer, G-AEOD.

In formation with MH434. A rare sight with two Spitfires, of the same mark, in near identical squadron markings.

Served with No 93,232,& 327 Squadrons. Delivered to the SAAF in April 1948. First flight after restoration was 23rd June 2021.

Built at Castle Bromwich, f/f there August 1943. After war service with the RAF, it went to the RNethAF as H-105 in 1947, thereafter to the Belgian AF as SM-41 until sold as OO-ARA, later to UK, where it was registered G-ASJV -3 July 1963. Registered to Sir Adrian Swire 23 February 1972, who had his initials applied as the squadron markings on MH434, as depicted here. With a new operator, G-ASJV still flies with exempt marks MH434:ZD-B as of July 2023.

To see this T9C flying was a wonderful bonus during my visit to EGBP.