PRESS RELEASE 

SPITFIRE LA198 RETURNS HOME

The aircraft as it looked when it flew out of Abbotsinch airfield back in 1948. Courtesy of Glasgow Museums.

Former pilots with 602 City of Glasgow Squadron, Jack Forrest (left) and Hector McLean welcome home the restored aircraft. Photo courtesy of Ian Watson.

While Hector McLean flew Spitfires during the war, eventually losing a leg, Jack Forrest, former Commanding Officer of 602 Squadron, actually flew the now restored aircraft.  Spitfire LA198 served with 602 Squadron, at Abbotsinch airfield, between 1947 and 1949 when an accident put it out of action. An event, which the log book describes as, "engine trouble, pranged on runway – did not fly again." 

This is significant event for the city and for the cadets of 2175 (Rolls Royce) squadron of the Air Training Corps who started the 602 Squadron museum 20 years ago.  The museum is to remember and commemorate the part that the pilots of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron took in the Battle of Britain.  Over the years the museum has grown with the cadets building the current museums premises at their Hillington site, though this is too small to take as large exhibit as the Spitfire.   

Through the museum association the cadets are very aware of the history of the Royal Air Force in the Glasgow area and take a keen interest in the air force.  Many ex-cadets of 2175 squadron have joined the Royal Air Force, other officers of the squadron played a notable in the Battle of Britain.  As an example of the close ties between 602 Squadron, the museum and the cadets, Raymond Baxter, the TV personality is an ex-Battle of Britain pilot in 602 Squadron and a former commanding officer of 2175 squadron.  

As has often been the case for 602 Museum Association events the cadets of 2175 (Rolls Royce) squadron provided the honour guard.  They represent a keen interest in aviation, the Royal Air Force and the future. 

Back in September 1939 the 602 City of Glasgow squadron was the first UK auxiliary squadron to receive Spitfires Mark I at Abbotsinch in Renfrewshire.  The first enemy aircraft to fall on British soil in the Second World War was a Heinkel He-111, which was shot down at Haddington, East Lothian, on 29 November. The aircraft was originally attacked by Flying Officer Archie McKellar of 602 Squadron, who was then interrupted by the arrival of three Spitfires from 603 Squadron. Although argument rages to this day as to which squadron was the victor, the 'kill' was credited to McKellar. The day's efforts were a kill each for 602 and 603 Squadrons and the first victories for the Supermarine Spitfire in combat. Both Pat Gifford and George Pinkerton received Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC) for their efforts. Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding, Commander-in-Chief Fighter Command sent the following message to 602 Squadron the next day, "Well done. First blood to the Auxiliaries". 

From August 1940 they flew the aircraft from RAF Tangmere in the Battle of Britain, mainly over the Channel, attempting to catch the German formations before they reached the coast. On 16 August the squadron opened its score during the Battle, claiming eight aircraft that day. Attacks on RAF airfields brought its operations inland and by the end of September 1940 had claimed 75 Luftwaffe victims before returning to Scotland in December 1940.  During the war the squadron was progressively upgraded with the Mark II, Mark V, Mark IX and finally the Mark XVI in 1944.  At the end of the war the squadron was disbanded, to be reformed shortly afterwards until being disbanded again at the Korean War.

A History of LA198

21 September 1944. Roll out for first flight, test flown by Flt. Lt. Johnson, duration 25 minutes.
2 October 1944. Taken on charge at 33 M.U., Lyneham, delivered by Capt. Hughes, ATA.
3 May 1945. Allocated to No. 1 Squadron, Manston.
4 October 1946. Placed in storage at No. 9 M.U., Cosford.
12 May 1947. Allocated to 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron RAuxAF.
25 October 1947. Damaged in a Category 'A' flying accident.
11 May 1948. Repairs completed by No. 63 M.U., Carluke.
22 July 1949. Emergency landing Horsham St. Faith due to engine failure, pilot Jim Johnston intentionally round-looped aircraft, category 'B' damage sustained.
9 August 1949. Dispatched to Vickers Armstrong, South Marston for repair.
21 July 1950. Work completed.
27 July 1950. Aircraft collected by No. 33 M. U. and placed in storage.
19 September 1951. Allocated to No. 3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, Exeter.
19 November 1953. Returned to Vickers Armstrong for possible resale.
19 February 1954. Presented to No. 187 Squadron ATC at Worcester, given serial 7118M.
1967-1968. Used for background static shots in feature film "The Battle of Britain".
1970. Restored and on display as 'JX + C' of 1 Squadron, RAF as a gate guardian RAF Locking, Avon.
1973. Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine removed for Battle of Britain Memorial Flight airworthy Spitfire PR XIX.
March 1986. Moved to RAF Leuchars, Fife for refurbishment for display as gate guard.
6 June 1986. Dedication ceremony and unveiling at Leuchars as 'RAI + G' of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, RAuxAF. Aircraft mounted on a plinth at the main gate to the station.
12 April 1989. Moved from Leuchars to RAF St. Athan for storage.
1996. Moved to RAF Museum Store, Cardington.
1997. Gifted to the City of Glasgow by Minister of Defence Michael Portillo.
4 March 1998. Delivered to the Museum of Flight, East Fortune for restoration.
October 2002. Restoration completed.
7 August 2003, Returned to Glasgow

17 September 2003, Presented to Glasgow at the Transport Museum

Vickers Supermarine Type 356 Spitfire F.21 Specification:
Wingspan: 36ft 11in
Length: 32ft 8in
Empty Weight: 7160 lb.
Normal Max. Take-Off Weight: 9182 lb.
Max. Permissible Weight: 11,290 lb.
Max. Speed: (at 19,000 ft) 450 mph
Max. Dive Speed: 520 mph
Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft
Range: 580 miles
Max. Range with 70 Gallon Drop Tank: 965 miles

Contact Details

For further information, please contact Flight Lieutenant Graham Short, Wing Corporate Communications Officer.

ENDS