First flown in February 1946, PK724 was never delivered to an operational squadron and declared a 'non-effective airframe' while in storage at Cosford in December 1954. Allocated maintenance serial 7288M in October 1955 and subsequently used for instructional and display purposes at various bases including Norton, Gaydon, Henlow (for potential use on the Battle of Britain film) and Finningley. The aircraft was placed on display with the RAF Museum at Hendon in May 1971.

Photographed on the Friday evening before the base opened for the "At Home" the following day. High-gloss camouflage in Dark Earth and Dark Green, thankfully replaced when transferred to the RAF Museum, Hendon.

With a five bladed propellor and a Griffon engine, more powerful than the famous Merlin fitted to most Spitfires, this was the final development of the Spitfire