This is an artists impression of how the Lytham St Annes Spitfire will look once built
Lytham St Annes Spitfire
In 1941 the residents of Lytham St Annes took part in the War Office Spitfire Fund saving scheme. Residents of all ages donated pocket money, savings and what spare cash they had left to help raise the £6000 needed for the Boroughs own Spitfire. The amount was matched by the Ministry of Aircraft Production and although £6000 does not sound alot – by todays prices it would have been the equivalent of almost £212,441 based on the Retail Price Increases since 1941 or a massive £735,441 based on the increase in the average wage from 1941 until today. The overall cost for a Spitfire was approximately £10,000
The Spitfire was a mark VB’s; given the tail number W3644 which we think we can decipher in the photograph. Records show that this aircraft was apparently shot down by Focke Wulf 190′s on 23rd June 1942, over Start Point whilst on escort duty. It’s pilot, Sgt Allan Lever Ridings aged just 26 of 19 Squadron RAF is still posted as missing. I have already started a search of any living relatives of Sgt Ridings who lived in Middleton in Manchester during the War.
The replica Spitfire will carry these original markings of W3644 and will carry the Lytham St Annes name in tribute not only to the brave pilots who flew her but also to mark the generosity of those people that donated what little they had to the War effort.
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