The RAF Museum chose to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the service by dismantling and closing the museum dedicated to its finest hour, the Battle of Britain Museum. Every cloud has a silver lining, however, and during May 2016 the aircraft were in a part dismantled state, allowing for some interesting photos.

c/n 6S-81254. Built at Supermarine’s Southampton factory, this Spit joined 609sqn in October 1940. It moved to 66sqn in February 1941 and then saw service with 57OTU, 303(Polish) sqn and finally with 53OTU from February 1942 till October 1943. In April 1944 it was allocated to the AHB (Air Historical Branch) and stored. Throughout the 1950’s 60’s and 70’s it was displayed at various events throughout the country, being repainted in 1961 into it’s original 609sqn markings from late 1940. Throughout this period it was held as part of 71MU at Bicester, but later moved to RAF Henlow, then RAF Finningely and finally RAF Cosford. In 1978 it moved to the Battle of Britain Hall, where it remained on display until 2016. RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK.