Supermarine Spitfire Mark XVI

This particular Spitfire entered service in February of 1945, and on March 24 it started its fighting career by dropping two 250 pound bombs on German targets in Holland.

The distinctive black and white markings on this aircraft are typical markings for Allied aircraft operating over Europe after D-Day.

By this time, the Allies had almost complete dominance of the air, with most German aircraft flying only over Germany, protecting cities and military targets.

Apart from German anti-aircraft fire, the biggest threat to Allied planes was "friendly fire" from their own forces, so they painted the planes in this way as a warning to their own troops not to shoot.

After six weeks, 12 sorties and less than 24 hours in the air, the war was over.

Following the war, the plane enjoyed a film career, first as one of the aircraft in the film about Spitfire pilot Douglas Bader, "Reach for the Sky", then as spare parts for planes flying in the movie "The Battle of Britain"!