For the purposes of the film a giant Mix from Lorraine emblem was used for the routes in order to represent the latest 100 % free French squadron
Into the Summer 1956 MH415 is sold in order to an excellent Belgian team, COGEA (Compagnie Gnrale dExploitation Aronautique), which had a goal-pulling package to the Belgian and you may NATO forces. COGEA had in past times work certain light flights pulling banners and you can similar, however when the new armed forces address pulling deal emerged, the brand new Percival Proctors they certainly were playing with didn’t have brand new show necessary. New Belgian Heavens Forces last few Spitfires considering the ideal chance, and COGEA ordered half dozen of those to operate because of their military price. Several months photos inform you this new aircraft from inside the a blank aluminum livery which have green nosecone and you can tail. During the 1961 it was leased getting movie use in The Longest Big date, which was recorded on location during the France.
Towards the 14th Can get MH415 turned up on flick equipment during the RAF North Weald into the Essex, and you will is actually later founded from the Debden, Duxford and you can Hawkinge
New flights was painted for the good camouflage scheme and flown with 340 (Ile-de-france) Squadron requirements GW-Roentgen. From inside the September 1961 the fresh routes caused a stir by the appearing at the fresh RAF Battle out-of Great britain air screen from the Biggin Mountain when you look at the its livery throughout the Longest Big date, flown from the Pierre Laureys, a good French The second world war Spitfire pilot. It’s realized one MH415 was the last airworthy Spitfire so you’re able to be ended up selling from the COGEA, and is also considered that it had been on Ostend since the later as the December 1964. MH415 are purchased away from COGEA because of the Rousseau Aviation out-of Dinhard when you look at the France, toward sum of 8, 000 francs into ish Mahaddie was get together together with her flights toward impending movie The battle from The uk, and just after a study from the John Simpson, MH415 try purchased getting an enthusiastic undisclosed contribution.
The fresh new aircraft is dismantled and you may shipped by Simpson’s Aeroservices Ltd from the Elstree getting a change, joined G-AVDJ, to help you Mahaddie with the 29th December 1966. It was attempt flown and you will brought to the film product within RAF Henlow during the early 1967 by T An effective Davies. This new aircraft was held, the Merlin 66 engine restricted, Canton of Zug escort throughout the majority of 1967, plus it was not flown again until November, in the event it received yet another Certificate of Airworthiness, becoming test flown on the 29th of these week because of the T A great Davies at Henlow. In early 1968 filming got were only available in The country of spain, so when an effective Spitfire is required for venue performs, MH415 is chosen and prepared at Henlow and you will Luton. A great ninety-gallon lose-tank try fitting and different shot flights carried out throughout the March on Henlow, Luton and you may Farnborough by Lt Cdr M T Hynett.
Within the later February MH415 kept great britain, flying via France to Tablada Air Base inside the Spain. For it a lot of time airline it had been flown by V H Bellamy. Film venue become N3312/ AI-C followed inside the The country of spain, flown in the primary because of the Lt Cdr Hynett. The fresh Spitfire this new arrived into England during the Manston on the 11th May 1968, for the business that have a bunch regarding Messerschmitts, a couple of Heinkels and Jeff Hawke when you look at the a-b-25 cam-ship. Sun and rain inside the 1968 is actually typically British, in addition to motion picture providers was not having enough big date. Loans has also been resulting in troubles, which is actually chose to move brand new aerial product to your an effective environment of the Southern area out-of France.
MH415 and a great many other Spitfires and many Messerschmitts had been flown out over Montpelier from inside the August for a few days, and the expected footage was acquired in the sunshine. MH415 used of a lot marks while in the filming, plus N3312/ AI-C, N3311/ CD-B, N3321/ AI-Meters, N2210/ CD-A beneficial, N3310/ A greatI-Good, N3322/ AI/ N, N3319/ DO-K and N3314/ AI-Age. That it Spitfire try fitted having strobe lighting on the machine-gun harbors and try flown for a total of 125 instances throughout filming. Inside the Oct 1968 it actually was situated at the Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, and soon after one day was used inside the filming bail-out images within Netheravon Wiltshire. Among the many flick equipment pilots, Texan Wilson ‘Connie’ Edwards, received MH415 on achievement of their flick commitments and it try dismantled in the Bovingdon by Simpson’s Aeroservices getting distribution to Houston, Texas, where they arrived in January 1969.