FLIGHTPATH | 35S
pitfire AR501 entered operational
RAF service with the Czechoslovakian
310 Squadron at Exeter i n Devon on 19
July 1942. (Notably, the unit was the
first RAF squadron raised specifically to be
crewed by foreign refugee nationals, in July
1940.) Often flown by Squadron Leader F.
Dolezal, during this period AR501 would
have been flown on convoy and coastal pa-
trols as well as undertaking offensive
sweeps trying to lure the Luftwaffe into the
air. Remarkably, some wartime colour cine-
film exists showing 310 Squadron and
AR501 taxying past the camera. There is
also a strong, but so far unproven, possibili-
ty that AR501 flew in support of the disas-
trous Dieppe raid on the 18 of August 1942.
As the winter approached, 310 squadron re-
verted to defensive anti ‘Jabo’ patrols from
Exeter, looking for Luftwaffe ‘Jabo’ fighter-
bombers who would attack coastal positions
at high speed and low level.
On the 15 March 1943, AR501 suffered
CAT B damage following a collision with
Mosquito DD634 which had left the runway
following an overshoot. After repairs, un-
dertaken by builders Westland, AR501 was
briefly on strength of 504 Squadron at
Church Stanton in Somerset but then joined
the Station Flight where it remained until
10 October. Its nomadic squadron service
existence continued joining 312 (Czech)
Squadron (DU- codes) which was also based
at Chu rch Sta nton, of ten f ly i n g i n suppor t of
the bombing raids that targeted the V1
launch sites. On 27 February 1944, AR501
joined 442 (Canadian) Squadron (Y2-
codes) at Digby which was awaiting the de-
livery of its new Mk.IX Spitfires.
On 9 September, AR501 suffered another
CAT B incident and was repaired by Air Ser-
vice Training, who also converted the air-
frame to an LF.Vc with the installation of a
Merlin 45M fitted with a modified super-charger designed to produce more boost at
low altitude, as well as the more visually ob-
vious clipped wing tips modification. After
conversion AR501 was placed in storage at
33 Maintenance Unit until allocated to the
Central Gunnery School (CGS) at RAF Cat-
foss in Yorkshire where it was used to teach
air firing to Gunnery Leaders, and on Ad-
vanced Gunnery Courses, with the C/O of
the advanced Gunnery course being one
Sailor Malan! The Spitfires would undertake
mock attacks against Wellington bombers
from various positions and altitudes, includ-
ing attacking while inverted! The gun cam-
era was the primary tool for these attacks,
but live firing was also undertaken against
towed target drogues. Thus, there is a pos-
sibility that some well- known and highly
experienced pilots would have flown AR501
during its time at Catfoss during the ad-
vanced gunnery courses. At Catfoss AR501
was coded DK, but eventually, on 22 AugustThe last display before AR501 was grounded in September 2005, seen here with
Shuttleworth’s Sea Hurricane Z7015.
[All images by or via Gary Brown unless noted]AR501 at Manston for a fuel stop during the filming of the Battle of Britain in 1968.