One of the most popular exhibits at the Kelvingrove is to fly to the ground for once-in-a-decade conservation.

The Spitfire LA1198 is to be lowered to the ground for check ups.

To do this the museum is to close off the upper West Court galleries to the public from Monday to Friday next week.

These will then reopen, but close for a second period from 30 November to 4 December inclusive.

The spitfire has been on display, hanging above the Life Gallery in the museum’s West Court, since Kelvingrove opened after refurbishment in July 2006.

The museum is putting in place the first major redesign of this area of the building since it reopened to the public ten years ago.

The redisplay will see new specimens from the Natural History and World Cultures collections go on display.

These include a wandering albatross and a leopard, donated to the city from Glasgow Zoo, previously stored in the deep freeze at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.

Councillor Archie Graham, the chair of Glasgow Life which runs the city's museums and galleries, said: "The spitfire is one of the most popular objects on display in Kelvingrove and it is crucial that we undertake these conservation and maintenance checks to ensure it remains on display for a long time to come.

"Once we have it safely on the ground the public are very welcome to come and watch our conservators at work protecting this historically important and striking aircraft for generations to come."

The Spitfire LA198 is a Mark 21 Spitfire, which was built in 1944.

It has a Rolls Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five blade propeller.

It flew with the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron between 1947-1949.