The Aircraft Restoration Company’s Duxford-based Spitfire PR.XI PL983 (G-PRXI) has been given new, temporary markings in order to tell the wider story of reconnaissance Spitfires while giving a subtle nod to PL983’s postwar history, when it was gifted to the American Air Attaché use as his personal transport.
The new markings represent USAAF Spitfire PA892 “My Darling Dorothy” of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron / 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. The markings were applied to represent the original RAF insignia being overpainted on base, “producing a subtle patchwork effect.”
From the moment we began marking out the stars and bars, it was obvious this scheme was going to have real presence. A Spitfire in American markings already catches the eye but there are plenty of details that make PA892 stand out even more. The yellow spinner gives the nose a bright flash of colour, while the hand-painted sign writing on the engine cowling adds that wonderfully human touch — the sort of detail that reminds you these aircraft were maintained, modified and personalised by real people working in real wartime conditions. Same with the red iron crosses, applied to acknowledge 30 photo sorties. Rather than looking too neat or factory-fresh, we applied with a makeshift stencil.
Click below to check out newly released images of the process and the finished product.
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