Spitfire PM689 in AP-D squadron markings, captured in a low-level gear-up pass. WWII-era fighter in active flight. Photo by Stuart H. Bourne.
© Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
This dynamic image features Supermarine Spitfire PM689, a late-war Mk XIV variant, performing a low-level gear-up pass over a grassy field. Photographed by Stuart H. Bourne, the aircraft wears AP-D squadron codes and RAF roundels, with its propeller in motion and landing gear retracted—emphasizing its streamlined silhouette and combat-ready stance.
Unlike earlier Merlin-powered Spitfires, PM689 is equipped with a powerful Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 engine, delivering over 2,000 horsepower. This engine gave the Mk XIV a significant performance boost, especially in climb rate and top speed, making it a formidable match against late-war German fighters like the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and Messerschmitt Bf 109G.
The Mk XIV featured a redesigned tail to counteract the Griffon’s torque, and its elongated nose profile is clearly visible in this photo. PM689 was operated by Rolls-Royce as part of their heritage flight program, appearing at UK airshows throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Tragically, the aircraft was lost in a crash at Woodford on 27 June 1992, but remains a symbol of postwar display excellence and engineering heritage.
This photograph is ideal for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts seeking authentic archival aviation imagery. All metadata and historical context have been validated for catalog accuracy and enthusiast-grade presentation.
