Spitfire 90: Hornchurch Archive, Eric Lock’s Wing & NACA Langley Trials | Footage Compilation

Celebrating 90 Years of the Supermarine Spitfire (1936–2026). This 20-minute archival compilation is a definitive look at the Spitfire’s evolution during the Second World War. Moving beyond generic clips, this film is the result of extensive research to identify the specific airframes, squadrons, and pilots who made history. From the desperate "Scrambles" of 1940 to technical trials in America and the liberation of Europe, this is the Spitfire legend in its purest form. 00:00 SECUTIRY CLASSIFICATION ON THIS SUBJET HAS BEEN REMOVED 00:02 Supermarine Spitfire Mk Va, RAF serial R7347, which was brought to the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory at Hampton, Virginia (USA), for comparative testing, flying over clouds (1942). This is one of only 94 "A-wing" variants ever built. Sent to the USAAF at the request of General "Hap" Arnold, this aircraft was tested at NACA Langley (now NASA) to evaluate stalling and flight characteristics. 00:28 new angle 01:18 New angle 02:08 Closer Shot 02:44 View from below 03:25 Activities of RAF Spitfire Squadron (Possibly No. 66 Squadron during Battle of Britain. 03:37 Spitfire planes on airfield. 03:51 Loading ammunition for machine-guns. 04:40 Antiaircraft gun. 04:50 Alert - pilots run out of house. 04:58 British troops around downed German plane in field. 05:46 LS Spitfires take off. 06:23 Spitfire Landing 06:51 Loading machine-gun ammunition into Spitfire. 07:42 Group of pilots on ground 07:52 posing. 08:13 Pilot climbs into plane LZ-H (X4478): A No. 66 Squadron veteran of the fierce Sept 30th combats. 08:30 Takes off 08:42 The Hornchurch Wing (No. 41 & No. 222 Squadrons) A rare, high-definition look at the frontline defense of London during the Battle of Britain. 08:44 LS Line of Spitfires on flight line w/ pilots run, board, start engines; 09:11 Spitfires ZD-A, ZD-H ("The Flying Scotsman"), & ZD-J: The legendary "Natal" Squadron (No. 222) taking off 09:46 Spitfire ZD-G 09:54 Spitfire ZD-A 10:18 Planes take off 10:29 CU of plane starting engine. Pilot gets in 11:00 EB-A (P9454): Flown by Olympic medalist Sqn Ldr Donald Finlay (41 Sqn). 11:06 Various planes taxiing 11:40 Line of planes start their engines simultaneously 12:12 Planes from the No. 222 Squadron take off (including ZD-D, ZD-F, ZD-G, ZD-J & ZD-H). 12:57 Man underneath plane, working, putting plate into place & closing. 13:21 Men refueling Spitfire; 13:31 work on wing; 13:36 polish canopy. 13:44 Ground activity w/ refueling truck. 13:46 EB-A (P9454): 41 Sqn 13:59 EB-G (P9443): The personal mount of Eric Lock, the RAF’s highest-scoring ace of the battle. 14:25 refulling 14:31 CU petrol meter, gallons. 14:43 Man removing gun camera. 15:00 Plane arrives: EB-N (P9428) Gets refuelling, maintenance. 16:49 Reloading plane's ammo 17:56 EB-B (P9447) 18:08 Pilot off plane 18:19 Maintainance 18:41 Firing against V-1 Robot Bombs 18:49 Spitfires Intercept V-1 bombs 18:56 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXs (441 Squadron RCAF) fitted with belly drop tanks taking off, raising dust. A No. 442 "City of Vancouver" Squadron (RCAF) Spitfire featuring full "Invasion Stripes." 19:23 D-Day Color Footage: Rare glimpse of Spitfires over the Normandy beachheads in June 1944. 19:32 Spitfire starting propeller after D-Day Subscribe to join our community of 89,000+ history enthusiasts and help us keep these archives alive. #Spitfire90 #AviationHistory #BattleOfBritain #EricLock #NASA #USAAF #RCAF #WW2Archive #MilitaryHistory #Spitfire #DDay For broadcast quality material of this clip or to know more about our Public Domain collection visit https://footagefarm.com/ or contact us at [email protected] Enjoying these rare archival films? Please help support our ongoing work of digitising, cataloging, and preserving history! You can buy us a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/footagefarm Or click the "Thanks" ❤ button directly under the video. Your support keeps history accessible for everyone!