1945 SPITFIRE XVI – TE356
Built in 1945 at Castle Bromwich, the UK’s largest Spitfire Factory. TE356 is a ‘low back’ MkXVI which features a teardrop canopy and a redesigned rear fueslage giving pilots improved visibility. It was originally fitted with a Packard built Merlin 266 Engine and was specified with the Type E Wing configuration which could carry either 2 x 50 cal Browning M2 (inner gun Bays) + 2 x 20 mm Hispano( outer bays) OR 4 x 20mm Hispano cannons .
Since leaving active service in 1952 the aircraft has been a gate guardian at various RAF stations including Bicester, Little Rissington, Cranwell and Leeming. TE356 is also a film star, featuring in the 1969 film ‘The Battle of Britain’!
After transferring to private ownership and museum displays in the USA TE356 returned to the UK in 2019 and remained in storage. In 2025 The Spitfire Company Biggin Hill are restorimng the aircraft to airworthy condition.
- 1945 - Delivered No.29 Mauntenance Unit then issued to No695 Squadron RAF
- 1949 - In service when 695 Sqn was renumbered as 34 Sqn
- 1951 - 1952 Transferred to No2 Central Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Little Snoring
- 1952 - 1697 Used as a display airframe at RAF Bicester, RAF Little Rissington, RAF Cranwell and RAF Leeming,
- 1967 - 1978 Featured in the 1969 film 'The Battle of Britain' restored to taxiing condition
- 1987 - Transferred to private ownership. Re-registered and rebuilt by Trent Aero (East Midlands)
- 1990 - Exported to USA reg N356EV
- 1991 - 1998 on display at Evergreen Aviation Museum in Oregon
- 2015 - 2018 Various Owners in USA
- 2019 - Aircraft returned to the UK and held in storage
- 2025 - Re-assembly at The Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill ) Ltd , used for 'Sit in a Spitfire' experiences
