Historical note:      P9374 was the 557th Spitfire built. Delivered to 92 Squadron on the 6th March 1940, the aircraft quickly found itself, along with the squadron, moved down to Croydon just south of London to cover the Allied evacuation of Dunkirk. It was on one such mission on 24th May 1940 that P9374 was lost.

P/O Peter Cazenove was flying the aircraft when it was attacked by future ace Werner Hoffman flying a Bf110. Cazenove made a wheels up landing on a Calais beach and was quickly captured. The wreck lay on the beach covered by the sand until exposed due to a storm in September 1980. The aircraft looked more or less complete, with the engine and fuselage visible.

The wreck was recovered towards the end of that year. The parts were passed around a number of collectors before ending up with the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford who finished the restoration, enabling it to take to the air for the first time since the 24th May 1940 on the 1st September 2011.

Sadly Peter Cazenove, also a veteran of the 'Great Escape', passed away just days before he could be informed of the successful return to flight of his beloved Spitfire.

Info:  Supermarine Spitfire Mk I Diecast Model RAF No.92 Sqn, P9374, Peter Cazenove, Calais, France, 1940