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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.

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(Illustration © Chris Sandham-Bailey / Inkworm )

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster PA474, one of only two airworthy examples in the world — the other being operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum — will receive a new paint scheme following its major maintenance program scheduled to begin in October 2025 at RAF Coningsby.

When it emerges from the workshops in 2027, it will wear the colors of Lancaster LM220 of IX Squadron as it appeared in 1944–1945.

The BBMF’s Lancaster B I PA474 in its current colors (Photo © Damien Defever for LEB)

The scheme will include nose art featuring the inscription “Getting Younger Every Day,” inspired by an advertisement from the William Younger brewery, along with a bearded character nicknamed “Father William.” LM220 took part in the Tallboy raids against the battleship Tirpitz, and also flew during the Exodus repatriation missions in May 1945.

Source: Vintage Aviation News | New Markings for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster in 2027

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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.

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North American P-51D-30-NT 45-11518 G-CLNV on its maiden flight at Sywell ( Photo © Peter Green )

On Friday, August 25th, at Sywell in the United Kingdom, English pilot Pete Kynsey conducted the first post-restoration flight of the North American P-51D 45-11518, registered as G-CLNV on the British civil register.

Restored by Air Leasing Ltd, led by Richard Grace, this P-51 was built in 1945 and was taken over by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in August of the same year, where it was given the serial NZ2427.

P-51 Mustang NZ2427 in RNZAF service (© Gaëtan Marie/Bravo Bravo Aviation)

Stored until 1952, the Mustang flew until 1958 before being stored again for many years and acquired by Sir Tim Wallis and his collection, The Alpine Fighter Collection, in Wanaka. It was eventually sold to Maurice Hammond of England in 1997.

North American P-51D-30-NT 45-11518 during its RNZAF service ( Photo RNZAF via Anthony Galbraith)

Reconstructed over a four-year period, the new first flight took place on June 14, 2001. Operated by the Hardwick Warbirds collection, the P-51 unfortunately suffered an accident on October 2, 2016, seriously injuring its pilot/owner Maurice Hammond and resulting in the passenger’s death.

North American P-51D-30-NT 45-11518 in its former colors (Photo © Richard Paver)

Purchased by Graham Peacock in 2020 and his collection, Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd, the P-51 was modified to the TF-51 two-seat standard. Its new livery represents that of a Mustang from the 23rd Fighter Group, 75th Fighter Squadron, based in the China-Burma-India theater.

North American P-51D-30-NT 45-11518 G-CLNV during its maiden flight at Sywell (Photo © Nigel Harrison)

There are now a total of eight flying Mustangs in the United Kingdom.

North American P-51D-30-NT 45-11518 G-CLNV during its maiden flight at Sywell (Photo © Nigel Harrison)

World Warbird News extends its sincere thanks to Peter Green, Nigel Harrison and Anthony Galbraith for allowing the use of the photos that illustrate this article.

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A U.S. Navy Grumman F4F-3 in early 1942.(Photo US Navy)

The pilot of the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat AX733 (registered G-KINL) was seriously wounded in a crash at Heveningham Hall near Halesworth, Suffolk, in the United-Kingdom.

Thankfully, the few available sources seem to indicate that the pilot’s injuries were non-life-threatening and that he has left the hospital.

The aircraft made its first post-restoration flight only a few months ago after a six-year restoration.

We wish the pilot a speedy and full recovery !

Sources:

• Daily Mail | Vintage World War Two fighter plane crashes on billionaire Foxtons founder’s country estate
• Aviation-Safety.net

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It’s a great disappointment for warbird enthusiasts as The Fighter Collection has announced via the Flying Legends Facebook page that the 2022 edition of the world-famous Flying Legends airshow has been cancelled :

Dear Flying Legends community, pilots and friends,

It is with deep regret that we must confirm the cancellation of Flying Legends 2022. Our search for a suitable alternative to Duxford has not been successful, despite our best efforts. To compromise and select a lesser location for the event would neither do you nor the brand justice.

This decision was not made lightly and pains us all, but we are determined to find a new home for the show in the near future. One that will ensure the continuity, excellence and growth of Flying Legends for many years to come.

Thank you for your patience and support in this difficult matter and please accept our deepest apologies.
We look forward to meeting you again in 2023.

Kind regards,

Nick, Stephen and the ‘Team’

Flying Legends was already cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions. To be followed…

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Visitors of the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon, near London, will have been surprised to see the museum’s two-seat Focke-Wulf Fw 190 being disassembled.

Based on information received from museum members, the Fw 190 is to be sent to Germany and will be on long-term loan with the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr in Berlin-Gatow.

The loan might come as a surprise to some, but the museum explained the move was due to the fact that the Cosford and Hendon museums are being reorganized, and that the reserves at RAF Stafford – which aren’t accessible to the public) are full.

Built in early 1944 by Arado as a Fw 190F-8, the aircraft was converted to a two-seater in Poland in late 1944 and served with Jagdfliegerschule 3, carrying the “Black 38” tactical code. Captured by the Allies at the end of the war, it was displayed on several Royal Air Force airbases before joining the museum’s collections. Its restoration began in 1972, and engine runs were regularly made at St Athan in the 1980s (see YouTube video).

This Fw 190 will be the only original example of the type to be displayed in Germany. Two other Fw 190s are on display in Germany but these are Flug Werk GmbH replicas.

This article was initially published in French by Gee Bee on L’Echarpe Blanche.

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The Great War Display Team’s RAF B.E.2c at Farnborough Airshow in 2014 (Photo Toby (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

A Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c  replica crashed at Sywell Aerodrome in the United-Kingdom while training with five other aircraft in preparation for a display later this month. Fortunately, pilot Matthew Boddington survived the crash and has been hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

The aircraft is part of the Bremont Great War Display Team, which offers World War I aerial displays with up to nine aircraft.

https://www.facebook.com/EuropeAirShows/posts/599097577451023

All the best and a speedy recovery to Matthew Boddington !

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Hurricane Z5140 with the familiar Duxford background in 2012. (Photo Feggy Art (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

For three decades, Duxford was synonymous with the world-famous Flying Legends airshow, but The Fighter Collection, organizer of the event, and the Imperial War Museum Duxford have announced that the event will no longer be hosted at Duxford.

To date, no information is available about the future location of the airshow, or what the potential locations are.

UK Airshow Review received the following statement from IWM Duxford.

“IWM Duxford and The Fighter Collection announce relocation of Flying Legends Air Show
After a long and successful partnership of some 30 years, IWM Duxford and The Fighter Collection (TFC) are announcing today that the Flying Legends air show will no longer be taking place at Duxford.

Given the financial pressures which have resulted from the coronavirus pandemic over the past few months, IWM Duxford has been required to examine all future events and consult with key partners to ensure that, as a charity, the organisation is able to maximise income and remain financially stable. It was therefore mutually agreed that TFC would seek an alternative location to host Flying Legends, which will be confirmed at a later date.

John Brown, IWM Executive Director Commerce and Operations, commented: “The Fighter Collection will continue to be a highly valued partner at IWM Duxford and we are delighted that its collection of amazing aircraft will remain on site and continue to be displayed throughout the year. We are confident that Flying Legends will continue with its success and would like to thank them for entertaining audiences at IWM Duxford over the years. We will be making some exciting changes to our own Air Show programme for next year and look forward to sharing more details in the coming months.”

For more information on IWM Duxford’s Air Show season, including tickets to this years’ Battle of Britain Air Show, please visit our website and be the first to know about our exciting new events programme in 2021 – https://www.iwm.org.uk/enews/signup

Updates regarding Flying Legends will be found on their Facebook page.”

https://www.facebook.com/UKAirshowReview/posts/10164430877395508

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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