Spitfire production continued until 1948 when research switched to the development of supersonic jet engines. The RAF continued to use Spitfires in offensive operational service until 1951 and for photographic reconnaissance until 1954. After the war the RAF sold it to smaller air forces and it continued in operational duty around the world until the late 1950's. It took the advent of the jet engine to eventually put it out of service.

Since their retirement many Spitfires have been restored and are flown in air shows and are on display in museums all over the country.

Places to Visit
The RAF has an extensive collection of historical aircraft on display at its two museums. These include the oldest surviving example of a Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1 on display at the RAF Museum Cosford. And at the RAF Museum Hendon you can see the Supermarine Spitfire F25 which was the last development of the aircraft. Visit www.rafmuseum.org for information on the history of the RAF and details of opening times and events.

Royal Air Force Museum Hendon
Grahame Park Way
London, NW9 5LL
Tel:020 8358 4849

Royal Air Force Museum Cosford
Shifnal
Shropshire, TF11 8UP
Tel:01902 376 200

The Imperial War Museum at Duxford has a new permanent exhibition about the Battle of Britain, including examples of both the Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane. For more information about other exhibitions and air show details please go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Imperial War Museum Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB2 4QR
Tel:01223 835 000

RAF Manston has a Hurricane and Spitfire on display. It is one of the few surviving airfields which played a part in the Battle of Britain and was one of the closest to the enemy coast. Entry to the aircraft exhibit and Memorial Building is free. For more information visit www.spitfire-museum.com

The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial
The Airfield
Manston Road
Ramsgate
Kent CT12 5DF
Tel:01843 821940

In Scotland you can get close to a Spitfire at the Museum of Transport in Glasgow. The Mk21, which was a part of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron was recently beautifully restored. For more details go to www.glasgowmuseums.com

Museum of Transport
1 Bunhouse Road,
Glasgow,
G3 8DP
Tel: 0141 287 2720

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is a display team featuring aircraft used in the Second World War, including Spitfires and Hurricanes. The aircrew is made up mainly of RAF volunteers who spend their weekends taking the Flight to air shows around the country. For more information on air show dates and a virtual tour of the hangar go to www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf

For more information on Spitfires you can visit:
The Spitfire Society
www.spitfiresociety.demon.co.uk

The RAF Battle of Britain
www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/spitfire.html