Continue reading]]>

Spitfire Mk I R6613 of No 92 Squadron RAF, as it would have appeared on the day it was lost in combat, 11 September 1940. (Illustration © Gaëtan Marie)

UK-based Spitfire enthusiast and author Greg Davis has reached a significant milestone with his long-running Spitfire Mk I restoration project. The aircraft, Supermarine Spitfire Mk I R6613, has successfully passed inspection by the Civil Aviation Authority and is now officially registered as G-RRST.

The legendary 29-victory British ace Robert Stanford-Tuck.

The chosen registration pays tribute to Squadron Leader Roland Robert Stanford Tuck, who flew R6613 on seven occasions during the Battle of Britain. The aircraft itself has a notable combat history: on 11 September 1940 it claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 before being shot down later the same day. Its pilot at the time, Jim Paterson, managed to bail out safely, though he suffered burn injuries.

R6613’s manufacturer plate and a copy of Robert Stanford-Tuck’s logbook. (Photo courtesy Greg Davis)

The restoration project is particularly complex, comprising more than 200 individual structures, parts, and recovered fragments, all supported by strong provenance. It also carries added historical weight, as the late Peter Arnold was able to contribute to the CAA review process shortly before his passing, lending further authority to the aircraft’s documentation and approval.

With the registration now secured, Greg Davis has made clear his ambition to return R6613 to the air in single-seat configuration. To achieve this, he is actively seeking an investment partner to provide the financial backing required to complete the restoration and bring this historically significant Spitfire back to flying condition. Greg Davis can be reached at the address ttssp@outlook.com.

Continue reading]]>

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The Spitfire Mk IX MK356 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crashed on Saturday, May 25, not far from its base at RAF Coningsby. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been revealed, tragically died in the accident.

According to witnesses, the Spitfire appeared to have suffered an engine failure.

The Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo © Alan Wilson under CC BY-SA 2.0 license)

Built in early 1944, the Spitfire Mk IX MK356 was returned to flight in 1997. This is the first fatal accident since the commemorative unit was established in 1957.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased pilot as well as to the members of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Continue reading]]>

Spitfire T.9 TE308 in 2007 (Photo D. Miller (CC BY 2.0))

Flyaspitfire.com has announced on its Facebook page that it has received approval to start passenger flights with their new twin-seat Spitfire, Spitfire TE308,  which has received a new paint scheme in honor of No 457 Squadron “Grey Nurse” of the Royal Australian Air Force.

TE308 was built as a Spitfire Mk IX and did not see active service in World War II. It was converted to the T.9 twin-seat standard by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd and served with the Irish Air Corps from 1951 to 1968.  It was used for the shooting of the movie “The Battle of Britain” and was later flown in Canada and the USA. It was damaged in a ground collision in 2008 in Texas and was extensively repaired since.

More information on TE308 can be found on Flyaspitfire.com.

https://www.facebook.com/FlyASpitfire/posts/1658673334287710

Continue reading]]>

Spitfire PR.XIX PS890/F-AZJS at Duxford in 2015 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))j

The Spitfire PR.XIX PS890/F-AZJS flew again on 6 August 2020 at Duxford with John Romain at the controls.

The aircraft was heavily damaged in a take-off accident in June 2017 and was sent to Duxford for complete repairs. It still carries its former markings of No 152 Squadron RAF in south-east Asia.

The aircraft is expected to participate in the Paris Air Legend 2020 airshow on 12/13 September.

https://www.facebook.com/Warbirdapps/posts/3453410748002974

Continue reading]]>

Spitfire Mk IX MJ755 in 2006 (Photo Matteo Arrotta (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc MJ755, also known as the “Greek Spitfire” for its uncommon markings, flew again on Sunday 19 January 2020 for the first time since 1953.

The aircraft, which was brought back to airworthiness by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, served on the Mediterranean front in 1944 and 1945 and was sold to Greece in 1947.

Its last flight took place on 8 September 1953, after which it was first stored and later displayed as a gate-guard in Tatoi air base. It was ultimately recuperated by the Hellenic Air Force Museum near Athens, which displayed it until 2008 when the decision was made to make it fly again.

The aircraft was remarkably complete and it is reported that very few parts needed replacement, making it one of the most authentic Spitfires flying today.

https://www.facebook.com/www.airforce.gr/videos/113648663314585/

Sources:

• Page Facebook de Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar

Continue reading]]> A new Warbird Shirt is available in our shop: the Spitfire Racer ! This is Spitfire Mk 21 LA217 of No 41 Squadron in 1947 at Blackpool. You can find this shirt design as well as others in our Warbird Shirts shop and help support the website.

Civilian or racing liveries are not very common on the Spitfire, and this one is probably the most famous. Are there any other good-looking liveries that you know of ?

Continue reading]]> https://www.facebook.com/aircraftrestorationcompany/posts/1183583388464993

The Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) announced on its Facebook page that the Spitfire T.9 “Indy” made a wheels-up landing  at Denham Aerodrome on Wednesday the 27th of February.

Spitfire TR Mk 9 PT462 at Flying Legends 2018 (Photo © Jean-Pierre Touzeau)

The pilot and copilot were unharmed but the aircraft sustained some damage, the extent of which will be evaluated when the aircraft is brought back to Duxford.

Source: Aircraft Restoration Company’s facebook page

Continue reading]]>

Spitfire PR.XIX PS890/F-AZJS at Duxford in 2015 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The French newspaper Le Républicain Lorrain reports that the Spitfire PR.XIX registered F-AZJS, which was damaged in a take-off accident in June 2017, is currently being restored by Historic Flying Limited in the United-Kingdom as well as in the USA. The aircraft is expected to fly again  in the spring of 2019.

More information and photos can be found on the Républicain Lorrain website (in French).

Continue reading]]>

Ford Europe unveiled the Ford Mustang GT Eagle Squadron, a unique Mustang GT bearing the colours and markings of a Spitfire of No 71 (Eagle) Squadron to honour the American pilots who served in the Royal Air Force.

The Mustang is powered by a V8 engine delivering 710 hp and 610 lb/ft of torque. The codes and serial match the Spitfire Mk V EN783, which was notably flown by Greek-American ace Steve Pisanos.

Spitfire Mk V EN783 of No 71 (Eagle) Squadron (© Gaëtan Marie)

Spitfire Mk V EN783 of No 71 (Eagle) Squadron (Crown Copyright)