Ready to be framed print of Spitfire Mk XVI TE311 of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. TE311 was built as a low-back Spitfire with clipped wings, powered by a Packard Merlin engine. It was acquired in 2002 for spares, but it was officially added to the BBMF collection in 2007 and restored to flying status and declared airworthy in the later stages of the 2012 display season.
TE311 is currently painted as the personal aircraft of Gp Capt Aleksander Gabszewicz, the Officer Commanding No. 131 (Polish) Wing. Originally a Polish infantry NCO, he graduated as a fighter pilot in 1938, and at c0900 on 1st September 1939, during the German invasion of Poland, he shot down a Heinkel HE111 of 5 Kampfgeschwader / Luft Gruppe 1 (5 Bomber Wing, 1 Bomber Group) over Ciechanów; some historians attribute this as the first Luftwaffe loss of WW2. He was shot down the same day, and successfully evaded capture, making it to France, where he shot down a Dornier Do17 whilst piloting a French Bloch 151. Gabszewicz got to England where he joined the RAF, serving in 607 Sqn RAF and then the famous No 303 Polish Fighter Sqn at RAF Northolt. Posted to No 316 Polish Fighter Sqn as a Flight Commander in Dec 1940, he was appointed Officer Commanding in Nov 1942. He was appointed Wing Commander (Flying) to No 2 Polish Wing, then posted to the 1st Polish Wing. He commanded No 131 (Fighter) Wing RAF during Operation Overlord invasion of Normany – D Day, 6th June 1944. In Feb 1945 he was appointed Station Commander of RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. Gabszewicz ended the war as a Brigadier General in the Polish Air Force, and remained in the UK until his death in 1983. A distinguished fighter pilot, officer and leader, Gabszewicz was highly decorated with an official tally of 9 ½ confirmed and 2 probable kills, making him officially a fighter ace. His decorations included the DSO and Bar, DFC, Croix de Guerre (France), Virtuti Miltari (Golden Cross, Poland), Virtuti Miltari (Silver Cross, Poland), Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restitua (Poland), and the Polish Cross of Valour with three Bars.
TE311 is currently painted as the personal aircraft of Gp Capt Aleksander Gabszewicz, the Officer Commanding No. 131 (Polish) Wing. Originally a Polish infantry NCO, he graduated as a fighter pilot in 1938, and at c0900 on 1st September 1939, during the German invasion of Poland, he shot down a Heinkel HE111 of 5 Kampfgeschwader / Luft Gruppe 1 (5 Bomber Wing, 1 Bomber Group) over Ciechanów; some historians attribute this as the first Luftwaffe loss of WW2. He was shot down the same day, and successfully evaded capture, making it to France, where he shot down a Dornier Do17 whilst piloting a French Bloch 151. Gabszewicz got to England where he joined the RAF, serving in 607 Sqn RAF and then the famous No 303 Polish Fighter Sqn at RAF Northolt. Posted to No 316 Polish Fighter Sqn as a Flight Commander in Dec 1940, he was appointed Officer Commanding in Nov 1942. He was appointed Wing Commander (Flying) to No 2 Polish Wing, then posted to the 1st Polish Wing. He commanded No 131 (Fighter) Wing RAF during Operation Overlord invasion of Normany – D Day, 6th June 1944. In Feb 1945 he was appointed Station Commander of RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. Gabszewicz ended the war as a Brigadier General in the Polish Air Force, and remained in the UK until his death in 1983. A distinguished fighter pilot, officer and leader, Gabszewicz was highly decorated with an official tally of 9 ½ confirmed and 2 probable kills, making him officially a fighter ace. His decorations included the DSO and Bar, DFC, Croix de Guerre (France), Virtuti Miltari (Golden Cross, Poland), Virtuti Miltari (Silver Cross, Poland), Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restitua (Poland), and the Polish Cross of Valour with three Bars.
Category: Historic Aircraft
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
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