Type: Single engine - low altitude fighter
Notable Facts: Personal aircraft of Sir James Robb, RAF Air Chief Marshall, CinC of Air Forces in Western Europe after Second World War
Manufactured: August 1945, Supermarine works of Vickers-Armstrong Ltd., England
Serial Number: SL721
Current Registration: C-GVZB
Recent Markings: RCAF camouflage and squadron markings of 421 Squadron
The F/L William Harper Supermarine Spitfire XVI
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Pilots
Michael Potter, Rob Erdos, John Aitken
Information
First Flight: 1936
Total Production (All Marks): Over 22,000
Wingspan: 36'-10"
Engine: Packard build Rolls Royce Merlin
Maximum Speed: 450 mph
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History
To the beleaguered population of Britain during the early part of the Second World War, the Spitfire became the ultimate symbol of defiance and the lone British stand against the seemingly unstoppable German advance. Its heritage springs from a long line of float-equipped racing aircraft designed by the legendary R. J. Mitchell and built by Supermarine Aviation Works, a division of Vickers. Widely considered the most beautiful aircraft design of its day and possibly of all time, the Spitfire’s elegantly shaped “elliptical” wings, sleek and powerful lines and role in the Battle of Britain combined to cement its status as symbol of a nation’s will to endure and ultimately triumph. This highly capable fighter was nimble and fast and was much loved by its pilots, most of whom were trained in Canada.
More than 22,000 “Spits” were built in nearly thirty variants including the “Seafire” a carrier-based fighter of the Fleet Air Arm. The Spit is the only fighter aircraft of the Second World War that was in continuous production before, during and after the conflict. The Vintage Wings of Canada Spitfire is a Rolls Royce Merlin-equipped Mk XVI and is painted in the markings of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s legendary 421 Squadron.

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