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Watch BBMF’s Spitfire PM631 Perform Its First Flight Since 2014 [Video]

Yesterday, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) Spitfire Mk XIX PM631 returned to the air for the first time sine 2014.

The aircraft was originally built by Vickers-Armstrong in 1945 but did not see action in WW2. In 1951 it was assigned to Meteorological Research Flight and conducted temperature and humidity flights until 1957, when it became part of BBMF. It went on to fly in the 1968 film Battle of Britain and currently wears the colors of 541 Squadron, which performed photo reconnaissance over Europe from early 1944 to the end of the war. The machine was grounded in 2014 and fitted with an overhauled Griffon engine.

Yesterday’s flight was conducted by Sqn Ldr Mark Discombe, who described the machine’s handling as “sweet.” Click below to check out a video of the flight.

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BBMF Spitfire TE311 Debuts New Markings

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire XVI TE311 has new markings after a visit to a Coningsby paint shop in February.

The machine, which most recently appeared in the all black “stealth” livery seen above, is now adorned with the markings of TD240 / SZ-G, flown by Captain Aleksander Gabszewicz of 131 Polish Wing.

TE311 was originally manufactured at Castle Bromwich in 1945 and served with with No. 1689 Ferry Pilot Training Flight and No. 2 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation following WW2. It was used for taxiing scenes in the 1967 film The Battle of Britain and also acted as a traveling display prior to being acquired and restored by BBMF, returning to the air in October 2012.

Click below to check out a time lapse video of the process as well as photos of the new livery.

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