Prior to this scheme the RAF , and predecessor Royal Flying Corps ( RFC ) , utilised a serial consisting of a letter followed by four figures , e.g. , D8096 - a Bristol F. 2 Fighter currently owned by the Shuttleworth Collection , or K5054 - the prototype Supermarine Spitfire .
Prior to this two-letter , three-number scheme , the RAF and preceding Royal Flying Corps ( RFC ) utilised a serial consisting of a letter followed by four figures , e.g. , D8096 - a Bristol F. 2 Fighter currently owned by the Shuttleworth Collection , or K5054 - the prototype Supermarine Spitfire .