The first Supermarine Spitfire flew on 5 March 1936, and it became an immediate success with early marks in the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire was further developed and the Mark V emerged with an improved engine. The Shuttleworth Collection’s Mark Vc AR501 was built by Westland Aircraft at Yeovil and was issued to No.310 (Czech) Squadron at Duxford in 1942.AR501 is painted today in the markings it wore during this time. While serving with No.310 Squadron, AR501 escorted many USAAF B17 and B24 bombers. AR501 was later transferred to the RAF’s Central Gunnery School and was used post-war as an instructional airframe. It was transferred to The Shuttleworth Collection in 1961 and restored to flying condition for the film ‘The Battle of Britain’. After filming, it was again stored, until restoration to authentic wartime condition was carried out by a team at Duxford.

Over the winter of 2000/2001 AR501 was repainted and elliptical wingtips were refitted, returning the aircraft to the condition in which it was delivered to 310 Squadron.