This design is inspired by Spitfire "AU-H" (NH188).  Spitfire NH188 was manufactured in 1944 at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory in the UK. Initially, it served with a Polish squadron and later with an RCAF squadron during WWII, where it was damaged by anti-aircraft fire near D-Day. After being stored by the RAF from 1944 to 1946, it was sold to the Dutch Air Force and later sent to the Dutch East Indies, though it saw limited use. In 1952, it was sold to the Belgian Air Force, rebuilt, and used as a trainer until a crash in 1954. A private company then purchased it, rebuilt it for target towing, before John N. Paterson of Ontario acquired and restored it in 1961. He eventually donated the Spitfire to the in 1964 where it remains to this day.