After a more than five year rebuild of the ex-David Price Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV, the aircraft has successfully flown out of Camarillo Airport CMA this month with the CAF's North American P-51 Mustang having a hard time keeping up with the Spit's speed.

About 900 Spitfire Mk. XIVs were constructed, with probably less than ten remaining flying in the world. Distinctive with an 18 inch longer fuselage and larger Rolls-Royce Griffon engine for the purpose of shooting down German V-1 "Buzz Bombs", the CAF's Mk. XIV served in India in 1945 and later. More than 1,300 V-1 "Buzz Bombs" were destroyed by Spitfires during the Battle of Britain.

Twenty-four versions of the Spitfire were constructed. The CAF acquired their Mk. XIV in 2005 and I have taken photos of it periodically, although difficult to photograph because of the jumble of gear around the rebuild area necessary for support of the workload. Please check out my photos of N749DP here.

The Southern California Wing of the CAF will honor the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 75th anniversary of the first flight of a Spitfire in a Warbird Appreciation Day Saturday, March 5 at their CMA museum beginning at 11 a.m. The address is 455 Aviation Drive at the Camarillo Airport. Guest speakers are Clyde East, a veteran Spitfire pilot, and David Baker, a crew member who helped restore the aircraft. Memorabilia from the Battle of Britain will be displayed and films on the aircraft and World war II will be shown.

The Mk. XIV will take to the Camarillo skies in flight demonstration, maybe chased by the Mustang or more of the CAF's assets? A $7 donation per adult is requested. Should be a good Photo-Op, too.