The Spitfire XVI differed from Mk IX by the engine used. It was powered by the US licence-built Packard Merlin 266. Later production examples featured a cut-down rear fuselage with a sliding bubble canopy in order to improve the pilots´ view.
France purchased the licence of the Belgian biplane trainer SV-4B as early as in 1939. SNACAN produced 701 aircraft powered by Renault 4Pei engine of 104 kW/140 hp after the war. Around 150 aircraft was also produced in Algeria.
The very last landing. The airframe was assembled by SABCA Gosselies. Delivered in February 1985. It has just reached 8000 flight hours and is to be withdrawn from use.