Hi
My father served with 60MU during the period 1958-1960 on salvage duties as an MT driver. During that period they were at Rufforth before moving to Church Fenton in early 1959. He states that during their time at Rufforth they had 2 Spitfires on charge for exhibition duties. One of these moved with them to Church Fenton. After doing some research its obvious this was TE288 which is now in New Zealand. The other Spitfire they had didn’t move with them to Church Fenton, but was left behind at Rufforth. This one was in much tattier condition than the one taken to Church Fenton, and it didn’t seem worth the effort of taking it with them. 60MU were the last unit at Rufforth and when they left the airfield was deserted. My father had squirreled some petrol away in a hut before they left and 3 days later when he came back to collect it the aircraft was gone. As 60MU hadn’t taken it and there were no RAF units left he could only conjecture that some scrap merchant had managed to gain access to the airfield and removed it.
Could anyone help with solving the mystery of the identity of this aircraft’s identity and its ultimate fate.
Thanks
Simon
By: SimonDav - 2nd January 2008 at 19:15
I’ve already asked my father about this Typhoon and he is adamant that it wasn’t there in 1959 and it certainly wasn’t on display.
By: Cranswick - 2nd January 2008 at 16:25
Rufforth Typhoon
According to a news item in Air Pic in 1955, Rufforth received a composite Typhoon (parts from DN502, MN282 and MN601). Does anyone know where it came from, how long it was at Rufforth and if it was displayed there? It seems to have been the last Typhoon in the UK until MN235’s return in 1968.
Any other contenders for ‘the last Typhoon’ (other than Hendon’s and current rebuilds?
By: CJH - 31st December 2007 at 14:01
Don’t know about a second spit but there was I believe a Hurricane Model: Mk. I
Hurricane/P2617
History:
RAF Cardiff, Aug. 1944.
RAF Kenley, 1955
Used in movie “Reach For The Sky”.
RAF Air Historical Branch, Stanmore, 1955.
RAF Rufforth, 1958.
– Stored.
RAF Bicester, 1965-1971.
– Travelling exhibit.
– Use in taxy scenes in movie Battle Of Britain, 1968.
RAF Museum, Hendon, Nov. 1972-2002.
– Displayed as P2617/AF-F.
hope this helps (perhaps not)
Chris
By: mantog - 29th December 2007 at 20:51
If you haven’t already got it, I suggest you buy Wings Over Rufforth , the History of Rufforth Airfield, by Brian Mennell. There’s some recollections by chaps from 60 MU, although I’ve just had a skim read and can’t find anything about the Spitfire you mention.
By: chippie51 - 29th December 2007 at 19:43
Rufforth
Wasn’t one of the last Typhoons also at Rufforth in the 50’s. A composite on gate guard duties if my fading memory serves me corectly. Photo anyone?
George
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December 29, 2007 at 6:33 pm