Always looked out for it' - North Wales 'Gate Guardian' that returned to flight

A Supermarine Spitfire that served for decades as a gate guardian at RAF Sealand returned to the air after restoration. Built in 1944 as a Mk XVI, the four-ton aircraft (TD248) had been displayed since the 1960s, but by October 1988 it was too corroded for its pedestal role. RAF Sealand removed it from guard duty and sent it to Historic Flying in Cambridgeshire as part of an RAF programme to preserve vintage aircraft. Later, after restoration, the Spitfire returned to flight in 1992 and is now operated by Spitfires Ltd, maintained by the Aircraft Restoration Company at IWM Duxford. The article also explains why markings and numbers can change after restoration.