Spitfire Mk 22 'R64' served as gate
guard at New Sarum (photo, Philip Evans)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.22 * Retired *
11 Spitfire Mk 22s flown out to Rhodesia from Britain in March 1951, followed by 11 more in December 1951 - but two of these crashed during the delivery flight. Used by Nos. 1 and 2 Squadrons in the fighter role. Replaced by the Vampire FB.9 in early 1954 and withdrawn from service. In 1955 ten of the remaining Spitfires were sold to Syria. One example (SR65) was placed on display at Thornhill Air Station, and one (SR64) was displayed at New Sarum Air Station. The latter was later restored to flying condition, but crashed in 1982 and was written off. Known RAF serials are PK326, PK330, PK350, PK355, PK370, PK401, PK408, PK432, PK482, PK494, PK506, PK514, PK548, PK572, PK575, PK576, PK594, PK625, PK649, PK663 and PK672.

Serial	c/no.	Prev. Identity	Delivered	Fate/Notes
SR58			Mar 1951
SR59			Mar 1951
SR60			Mar 1951
SR61			Mar 1951
SR62			Mar 1951
SR63			Mar 1951
SR64	CBAF 39	PK350	25 Mar 1951	w/o 23 March 1982
SR65	CBAF 33	PK355	25 Mar 1951	RRAF65. to Military Museum, Gweru
SR66			Mar 1951
SR67			Mar 1951
SR68			Mar 1951
SR79			Dec 1951	w/o during delivery flight
SR80			Dec 1951
SR81			Dec 1951
SR82			Dec 1951
SR83			Dec 1951
SR84			Dec 1951	w/o Dec 1953
SR85			Dec 1951
SR86			Dec 1951
SR87			Dec 1951
SR88			Dec 1951
SR89			Dec 1951	w/o during delivery flight

References:

1. Rhodesian Air Force, A Brief History 1947-1980 (W A Brent, 1987)
2. Spitfire - The Story of a Famous Fighter (Bruce Robertson, 1973)
3. Wings of Fame Vol.16
4. Air (WLAG) January 1990