Supermarine Spitfire Operated by Denmark
During the Seond World War. the Free Danes’ Spitfire Fund raised funds from ex-Patriot Danes in order to aid the purchase of Supermarine Spitfires for the RAF. Eventually three Spitfires were donated and where possible, flown by Danish pilots. Each Spitfire was individually named with a Danish saying or name.
The first Spitfire was named Skagen Ind which means ‘Inbound the Skaw’ (the Skaw or Skagen in Danish is the northernmost tip of Denmark). It relates to a phrase used by Danish seamen approaching Denmark from the North Sea.
The second presentation name of the three presentation Spitfires was BL855 Niels Ebbesen who was a Danish 14th century national hero. In 1340, he killed the German count Gerhard III of Holstein. This eventually led to the end of the counts of Holstein ruling Denmark and King Valdemar IV Atterdag seizing power.
The third name born by the first Danish presentation Spitfires was Valdamar Atterdag. King Valdemar IV Atterdag was a medieval Danish king who reigned from 1340 to 1375.
Post-war 38 Supermarine HF MK IX E were in service from 1947 – 1955 as day fighters, while three Supermarine Spitfire PR MK XIs were in service from 1947 – 1955 in a photo reconnaissance role.
