The Spitfire - iconic, legendary, and this year celebrating its 90th anniversary. Because it was back in 1936 that the Supermarine Spitfire made its maiden flight.
It was a weapon of war, and just four years after it first flew it took on the might of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, an aerial conflict which changed history. The exploits of the Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons made Hitler think again as he drew up his invasion plans.
Shropshire had its part in the Spitfire story. Some were based here, some were even made here. Hundreds were made at Sankey’s in Hadley during the war.
To mark the anniversary let’s bring you a selection highlighting some of Shropshire’s Spitfire links as well as some of the heroes who flew them.
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29. Courant vers leurs avions
Pilots of many nations flew in Spitfires. Here pilots of the Free French Air Force run to their planes. The Free French Air Force in Great Britain was composed of former members of the Armee de L'air, the Free French Air Arm, who escaped from French territory after the collapse in June 1940, and of men who had volunteered since that date. The force was commanded by General de Brigade Aerienne Martial Valin, whose rank corresponded to that of Air Commodore of the RAF. Free French airmen were at first distributed among RAF squadrons, but this picture shows the first Free French fighter squadron which had been formed. | Express & Star archive
30. Badge of honour
Grafton County Primary School was housed in an old military building associated with RAF Montford Bridge and in honour of the link the school badge featured a Spitfire. The school closed in 2006. | Shropshire Star
31. Just three months to live
Pilot Officer Laurie Whitbread, who was killed when he was shot down during the Battle of Britain on September 20, 1940. After his death his devastated mother Mimsie always kept his cap and coat hanging up in the hall of his Ludlow home as if he had just come in. This picture shows him with his 222 Squadron Spitfire at Kirton-in-Lindsey in June 1940. A street is named after him in Ludlow. | Unknown
32. Model tribute
John Rutter's tribute to the Spitfire at his home at Kynnersley, near Wellington, would bring passersby to a halt to admire it. Here he is touching up the paintwork in August 1990 as the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain loomed. John, who was 82, took six months to build this one-sixth scale model of the famous aircraft 12 years previously. It did not actually depict a Spitfire from the time of the Battle of Britain, but a Spitfire Mark 14, which was a version from later in the war. | Shropshire Star