© 2006 Company Name

Made by Serif

 

This aircraft has been registered with the CAA as G-RAAF.

 

It was recovered from Oakey, Australia, along with a MkV, MA863. The Mk V came back to the UK and is now on static display at Dayton, Ohio, having been traded for a  B-24 for the IWM

 

This aircraft was originally equipped with a Mk66 Merlin, however at present we have a Mk45

 

More details to follow.....

 

 

 

 

 

Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII G-RAAF

 

( JF872 , A58-328 provisional identity)

The identity here is the one with the highest statistical probability based on the available information. The search was narrowed down to 13 aircraft from a batch of 100 - of course someone may come along with new information. We could have chosen a slightly more “interesting” ID, but there would be nothing solid to base this choice on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The important thing is that this IS a MkVIII Spitfire, that served with the RAAF, and ended it’s days at Oakey 6AD.

 

The other airframe parts we have cannot be linked with any particular individual aircraft. One thing we did not want was a collection of unidentified parts, and just assume an ID because it was written on a removable part we found lying around!

 

The project engine is a Mk 45, not a 66 as would have been fitted originally. We will of course fit a 66 if we find one!

 

 

This aircraft is currently undergoing a major restoration at

NWMAS, Hawarden ( A8-20), involving stripping all existing parts back to component form to check their condition. This will ensure it is rebuilt in a certified, controlled enviroment. All parts will therefore have to be airworthy - no making parts in sheds from basic grade aluminium, or using RR meteor engine parts to rebuild a Merlin!!!

 

Just a quick note - whilst Ebay is a fantastic place to by interesting old items, it’s not great for components that will be used on an airworthy airframe. Ie no history or traceability.

This aircraft project was obtained from a company that has already rebuilt many aircraft, including spitfires..............................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spitfires at Oakey, early 1950’s ( Peter R. Arnold)