Toward purposes of the film an enormous Cross out-of Lorraine emblem was utilized into aircraft to represent the newest 100 % free French squadron

Within the June 1956 MH415 was ended up selling so you can a beneficial Belgian team, COGEA (Compagnie Gnrale dExploitation Aronautique), which in fact had a target-pulling offer on Belgian and you can NATO pushes. COGEA got in past times operate some light aircraft pulling ads and equivalent, but when the latest military address towing bargain emerged, the newest Percival Proctors they were having fun with didn't have the fresh abilities expected. The brand new Belgian Sky Pushes last few Spitfires considering the ideal chance, and COGEA bought half dozen of those to run for their military price. Months photo let you know this new flights into the a blank aluminum livery that have eco-friendly nosecone and you may tail. Within the 1961 it absolutely was hired to own film use in Brand new Longest Date, that has been recorded on site from inside the France.

With the 14th Will get MH415 showed up toward motion picture unit on RAF North Weald from inside the Essex, and you may was later on dependent at Debden, Duxford and you will Hawkinge

This new aircraft try painted from inside the a great camouflage scheme and you will flown that have 340 (Ile-de-france) Squadron codes GW-R. Within the September 1961 the new flights brought about a blend from the looking on the fresh new RAF Battle out of The uk air monitor in the Biggin Slope from inside the their livery regarding the Longest Big date, flown from the Pierre Laureys, a great French World war ii Spitfire pilot. It’s realized one MH415 try the last airworthy Spitfire so you can feel offered because of the COGEA, and is also thought that it actually was during the Ostend because the later as December 1964. MH415 are purchased from COGEA by the Rousseau Aviation away from Dinhard in France, on the sum of 8, 000 francs toward ish Mahaddie are meeting along with her routes into the certain movie The battle out of Great britain, and you will shortly after a survey of the John Simpson, MH415 is actually bought to own a keen undisclosed share.

The latest routes is dismantled and you may shipped by Simpson's Aeroservices Ltd in the Elstree getting a redesign, joined Grams-AVDJ, so you're able to Mahaddie for the 29th December 1966. It had been decide to try flown and you will taken to the movie product on RAF Henlow in early 1967 by the T A great Davies. The fresh new aircraft are held, its Merlin examine the site 66 motor restricted, during the the majority of 1967, also it wasn't flown once more up until November, if this obtained another Certification from Airworthiness, getting try flown on the 29th of this few days by the T A Davies at Henlow. During the early 1968 shooting got were only available in Spain, so when an excellent Spitfire is actually necessary for area really works, MH415 was picked and you will waiting in the Henlow and Luton. A great ninety-gallon shed-tank are fitting and various try aircraft achieved during the March at the Henlow, Luton and you may Farnborough from the Lt Cdr Meters T Hynett.

During the late February MH415 leftover the uk, flying through France to help you Tablada Sky Feet when you look at the Spain. For it much time trip it actually was flown by the V H Bellamy. Film location become N3312/ AI-C followed inside the The country of spain, flown in the main from the Lt Cdr Hynett. This new Spitfire the fresh new showed up back to England during the Manston for the 11th Will get 1968, during the organization which have a bunch regarding Messerschmitts, several Heinkels and Jeff Hawke inside the a-b-25 digital camera-vessel. The current weather in the 1968 try generally Uk, in addition to motion picture organization were running out of day. Finance was also ultimately causing difficulties, this is actually decided to disperse this new aerial unit on a environment of your Southern area away from France.

MH415 and you may a number of other Spitfires and several Messerschmitts were flown off to Montpelier inside August for three days, therefore the requisite footage is acquired in the sunshine. MH415 dressed in of many marks throughout the filming, also N3312/ AI-C, N3311/ CD-B, N3321/ AI-Yards, N2210/ CD-A, N3310/ An effectiveI-An effective, Letter3322/ AI/ Letter, N3319/ DO-K and N3314/ AI-Elizabeth. That it Spitfire try suitable having strobe bulbs regarding machine-gun ports and you can is flown to own all in all, 125 hours during the shooting. In the October 1968 it was founded within Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, and later one few days was used from inside the shooting bail-out shots during the Netheravon Wiltshire. Among the film product pilots, Texan Wilson 'Connie' Edwards, gotten MH415 with the achievement of its movie commitments and it also was dismantled on Bovingdon from the Simpson's Aeroservices getting shipping in order to Houston, Tx, in which they found its way to January 1969.