Supermarine Spitfire VIIIc, MT928, G-BKMI
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2020
- John Romain flying Max-Alpha Aviation's Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIIIc, MT928, from the Aircraft Restoration Company's facility at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford on 5th February 2020. The aircraft was previously on the German civil register as D-FEUR, but has now returned to the UK civil register using its previous registration G-BKMI. It's registered to Max-Alpha Aviation GmbH of Eschbach Germany.
Built as MV154 in 1944 at Supermarine Aviation (Vickers) Ltd's works in Southampton, the aircraft was initially flown to 6 Maintenance Unit (MU), Royal Air Force at Brize Norton on 15/9/44 by Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot, Mary Wilkins, who signed the cockpit door. Her signature was found there during the aircrafts restoration and in September 1993 aged 94, Mary Ellis (née Wilkins) was reunited with the aircraft and added another signature to the opposite side of the cockpit.
The aircraft was selected for service with the Royal Australian Air Force and went to 82 MU at Lichfield for preparation, crating and shipment to Sydney, Australia via Newport docks and the cargo ship MV 'Port Fairey'.
The aircraft arrived in Sydney on 24/11/44 and was transferred to No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond. She was allocated Australian serial A58-671, but was one of 120 Spitfires that remained crated and went straight into storage.
The aircraft was inspected on 22/3/46 and offered for disposal on 24/5/48.
Mark Leech, an instructor at Sydney Technical College, negotiated the donation of this aircraft, as well as another Spitfire (MV239), a Vultee Vengeance and a de Havilland Mosquito, for use as teaching aids for aircraft engineering apprentices.
In 1961 this and the second Spitfire were exchanged by the college for a former RAAF Gloster Meteor and went to a new owner, former de Havilland Aircraft test pilot Squadron Leader A.J.R. 'Titus' Oates, who wanted to bring this Spitfire back to airworthy condition as a memorial to Battle of Britain pilots. The memorial plan fell through and the aircraft were sold to Syd Marshall of Marshall Airways for display in his private museum.
Robs Lamplough acquired the Spitfire in 1979 and brought her back to Great Britain. She went to Charfield, Gloucestershire for restoration to airworthiness by volunteers from the Bristol Plane Preservation Unit and British Aerospace, Filton. After 15 years of restoration and final assembly at Bae Filton, she took the skies again on 28th May 1994.
The aircraft then regularly attended UK airshows and also appeared in the movies, 'Pearl Harbor' and 'Dark Blue World'.
In 2010 G-BKMI was sold to Meier Motors GmbH/Max Alpha Aviation GmbH, based at the former military airfield at Bremgarten in southern Germany. Following more restoration work, she was registered in Germany as D-FEUR.
She was the first Spitfire registered in Germany since the end of WWII.
The Spitfire retains the 145 Squadron, Royal Air Force colour scheme that was applied during the restoration for Robs Lamplough. It wears serial MT928, which was an LF Mk.VIII that served with 451, 145 and 92 Squadrons, before ending RAF service in March 1946.
Whilst with 145 Squadron at Bellaria, Italy during 1945, MT928 was flown by Flight Lieutenant G.R.S McKay.
The aircraft sustained minor damage, from a ground prop strike whilst running up for take off during the IWM Battle of Britain Airshow on 21/9/2019. She was subsequently transferred to the UK civil register on 3/12/2019 and repaired by the Aircraft Restoration Company.
I believe that it's the owners intention for the aircraft to remain at Duxford for some time.
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Said it before and I'll say it again. Nothing like a Spitfire. Great posting.
The sound of freedom (1939-45)+++ :)
Great video, especially seen a spitfire flying. Cheers ... Josh
A little story for you plane buffs, I flew to Belgium for a day out with some friends 12yrs ago. On my return to the airport a gentleman in white flying suit was standing infront of me, when I noticed the beautiful mk8 spitty parked next to my mediocre piper, I became rather excited and saying to my friends, ooo look a MK8 spitfire, the gentleman turned with a smile and said, she's my mk8 spitfire. After a little chat he said I was more than welcome to have a good look around her climb up and have a look in the cockpit, just don't get in, (tempting to say the least lol)I couldn't believe my luck, so I did and I have some great photos of that experience. Flying back he caught me up and flew next to me while we crossed the Channel and over the white cliffs of Dover, amazing memories, Fast forward to yesterday and a day trip to Duxford and I come across her again, my heart filled with joy seeing her in full working order especially after her little accident, more photos and a good chat with Graham the Yorkshire man who works at duxford later and I'm one happy lass. I love ww2 warbirds but this lady has a special place in my heart. This video gives me goosebumps I can't wait to see her fly again, thank you.❤️
What a beautiful story and a wonderful memory. I'm sure that you will see her flying again soon - maybe on 24/25 September at the next Duxford Airshow, if not before? 😊
@@HighFlight thank you😊I'll pop those dates in my diary,❤️if you see a tall blonde lass, jumping up and down with childish excitement when she's flying. That will be me🤣
@@rubytwoshoes1032 I gave you the wrong dates. It's 18/19 September - see here - www.iwm.org.uk/airshows/duxford-battle-of-britain-airshow
One of my favourite Spits, looking forward to seeing her in action at Flying Legends this year!
Hopefully she'll be there - it'll help that she's now based at Duxford!
As usual, a magnificent video, in spite of the atmospheric weather conditions, this is a new one to me, and loos very nice in this colour scheme , I hope it will be staying in the UK as it is now registered there, although from your description it is still owned by Meier Motors, a very nice example. Chris B.
Thanks Chris. I was told that the aircraft has not been as active in Germany as the owner would like and so has been relocated to Duxford to increase its use and airshow activities. I'm hoping that's true?
@@HighFlight : That would be nice, although I doubt I will see it down here in the South of France !
@@453421abcdefg12345 Never say never, but if not UA-cam helps!
@@HighFlight At least with your excellent videos Steve I can as good as be there, and I don't have to wait in the traffic jam out of Biggin Hill/Duxford for 3 hours to get home!
@@453421abcdefg12345 Chris, lack of traffic jams is always a bonus - probably why I'm often almost last to leave any event? Thanks for enjoying my films and have a great weekend. Steve.
I wonder what merlin engine mounted in there MT928(VIIIc)
merlin 66? 61? 70? please let me know~~~~~~~!!thanks great video
take care
Thanks. She has a Merlin 70 fitted. Take care and stay well!:)
@@HighFlight thank you sir!
Just a FYI the aircraft was illegally exported from Australia. But thanks for a great video.
Thanks for the info. I didn't know that, so did a bit of 'internet research' to learn more. It seems a failure at the time by politicians and legal people with no will to enforce laws made, maybe due to decision makers having no interest in Australia's aviation heritage and no doubt for other reasons political (maybe financial?) as well. I note they managed to prevent the illegal export of a Bf109 also in 1979. Maybe one day somebody with the necessary money on Australia will get the opportunity to buy and return the Spitfire to Australia? Am I right in thinking that the Spitfire was allocated by the government from military surplus for the Australian War Memorial and then later sold to a private collector in Australia? If so, that in itself is maybe another scandal? Sorry if I've got any of this wrong and please feel free to correct me if it's needed.
@@HighFlight You are pretty much on the ball there. We recently also had another ex RAAF spitfire depart our shores for the UK.
@@Brendengs84 It's a pity that Australia can't keep hold of the Spitfires she's got as I would have thought that we have enough already in the UK, but I guess that it's down to those with money? That said, it's healthy to have trade in Spits and other warbirds, as whenever they change hands they are very likely to be restored/overhauled to be kept in the air, which is good for all.
@@HighFlight If only the exports were to be restored for flight and not placed into personal collections never to see the light again..... However in saying we do have 2 MK V's that are under active restoration to airworthy now. One a Vc Trop.