A Spitfire shot down 71 years ago has once again taken to the skies after being restored by a group of enthusiasts. Following test flights in Duxford, Cambridge the P9374 is now the worlds oldest surviving airworthy Mk1 Spitfire. Rescued from the mud in northern France, the plane was downed on May 24, 1940. Flight Officer Peter Cazenove, who was part of 92 Squadron, was at the controls when he drew fire from a German Messerschmitt 109. Unable to make it back across the Channel he decided instead on a forced landing on a beach near Calais, which at the time was still in Allied hands. Cazenove walked away without any injuries and despite being captured by advancing Germans went on to survive the war. OCU