Spitfire TE311 goes Dutch

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire Mk.XVI TE311 (CBAF. IX4497) has recently resurfaced after ‘major’ servicing with The Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd. At the end of these operations, the fighter was  painted in a new colour scheme which represents Spitfire TD322 ‘3W-M’ of 322 (Dutch) Squadron RAF. This RAF squadron with Dutch pilots was based at Biggin Hill from November 1944 to January 1945.

TE311has been at The Spitfire Company since May 2022. The original planned output date for the aircraft was delayed when damage affecting the wings spars was discovered. As a result, the Spitfire’s wings had to be completely overhauled, with new wing spars being fitted.

The good news is that the fighter has returned to its owner, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, on 16 January 2024. This commemorative unit of the Royal Air Force is based at RAF Coningsby.

Painted as a 322 (Dutch) Squadron RAF Spitfire, TE311 carries an orange triangle on the port fuselage beneath the cockpit.

Photo: BoBMF/Andy March