Depart in Peace by Geoff Lea On
15th September 1965, the late Jeffrey Quill flew the old Spitfire VB AB910
into RAF Station Coltishall to be handed over to the Royal Air Force
Memorial Flight and preserved in perpetuity. Significantly, this was
to be virtually the final moment of a thirty-year association and devotion
by Jeffrey Quill to his beloved Spitfire. After Mutt Summers'
initial flight, it was largely left to Jeffrey to help turn Reginald
Mitchell's inspired design into the most famous fighter aircraft of all
time. Jeffrey Quill writes in his book, 'Spitfire, A
Test Pilot's Story', "It had been my business to criticise it and
identify its faults; I had no illusions about it and knew its problems
only too well. Indeed, they had caused me sleepless nights all too
often... As I climbed out of the cockpit of AB910 I had that feeling of
sadness, of bidding farewell to an old an trusted friend."
The title of the print comes most appropriately from the
words of Nunc Dimittis, - "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart
in peace," as AB910 goes into the loving care of the Memorial Flight.
AB910 had a long, historic career since being built in 1942
at Castle Bromwich. It was delivered to 92 Squadron whose letters QJ-J
it bore at the time of presentation. Ninety-two Squadron flew Spitfires
throughout the entire war and was also one of the Royal Air Force's
top-scoring squadrons. AB910 was also the aircraft on which a ground
crew WAAF, now Miss Horton, made an unscheduled flight crouched across the
tail. After the war, it was bought by the late Air Cmdre A. H.
Wheeler, CBE, and later by Vickers-Armstrong Aircraft limited, who
completely restored it. This work was carried out almost as a solo
job by Arthur Luscombe at Chilbolton and later the aircraft was based at
South Marston.
As shown in this painting, AB910 was fitted with a
Merlin 55M engine from a Seafire III to improve low-level performance, and
a four-bladed propeller, untypical of a Spitfire V, both of which have now
been changed by the Memorial Flight.After a life of more than forty years, AB910 continues
to give pleasure to thousands as it participates in displays during the
summer months. AB910 serves as a permanent reminder of those days of
the 1940s when the flashing, eliptical wings skimmed high and proudly to
bring freedom to the skies. Now, as then, to be a Spitfire pilot is the
dream of small boys of all ages. Indeed, even as one sees and hears
this remarkable machine, inevitably its magic draws us all into its heart
to become part of a legend. It is hoped that this print of a unique occasion in
Spitfire history will serve to propagate that magic, so that succeeding
generations can share in our wonder. Copy No.1 hangs in the R. J.
Mitchell Hall in Southampton, and further copies have been presented to
the Royal Air Force Museum and the Smithsonian Institute.signed
by the late Jeffrey Quill, OBE, AFC, FRAeS.
Pinpoint Navigation by Stephen Brown There can be few experiences more stirring than the sight and sound of
Merlin powered Spitfires at treetop height. In this print the calm of an
English village is momentarily shattered as Spitfire Vbs of 92 Squadron
flash overhead, having been scrambled to intercept a Luftwaffe raid during
the summer of 1941.
In Defence of Britain by Philip West Spitfires (MkI) of 92 Squadron out of Biggin Hill in September 1940
are about to take on the enemy during the Battle of Britain. The
aircraft in the background was flown by Pilot Officer Alan Wright - his
list of victories was eleven, three destroyed, two probables, two
possibles and seven damaged
Tally Ho by Robert Taylor In this classic Robert Taylor painting Brian Kingcome is seen leading
the Spitfires of 92 Squadron in a diving attack into a force of HEIIIs
over the city of London during the height of the Battle of Britain. Brian
Kingcome flew Spitfires operationally virtually without break, right
throughout the war Signatories: Brian Kingcome.