Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.IX MH603 - Restoration Update

Over the past couple of years, we have been following the restoration of Supermarine Spitfire F Mk.IX MH603 at Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) in Scone, New South Wales, Australia. The aircraft is very close to flying again, and recently made another series of engine runs. Our good friend John Parker from WarbirdsOnline has provided further details on this progress and what the future holds for this aircraft. We have covered several of Parker’s previous reports, which you can check out for the aircraft’s history and earlier restoration updates. We will let John pick up the latest news with the following…

Supermarine Spitfire F.Mk.IX MH603 recently began the final phases of her engine testing in Scone NSW. VFR personnel rolled the fighter out to the hard standing, tied her down and chocked the wheels ready for Alf Morgan to climb aboard and put the Rolls-Royce Merlin through its paces.

248422214 4268093193313480 6979755838447303855 n — Trundling MH603 out to the hard stand for her engine runs. (photo via John Parker)

258762232 4268093209980145 1659988702706055275 n — Preparing MH603’s Merlin engine for the engine runs. (photo via John Parker)

[wbn_ads_google_one]

The aim for these tests involved exercising the Merlin for longer periods and at higher power settings, hence the need for securing the airframe to the ground. After a couple of brief run-ups to ensure the engine was operating properly, Morgan initiated a series of longer exercises, gradually increasing the revolutions and power settings. The big V-12 behaved flawlessly, its characteristic roar feeling like music to the small crowd gathered nearby to witness the event.

255161569 4268091926646940 85976724300579216 n — Her Merlin engine beginning to roar, MH603 recently underwent some high-power engine tests in the preparations for her first flight. Note how the aircraft’s tail is firmly strapped down to the hard stand. (photo via John Parker)

257543764 4268094626646670 603979838581616981 n — Applying one of the stencils during MH603’s recent repaint. (photo via John Parker)

258823204 4268094549980011 8116486784266825465 n — Some of the detailing recently applied to MH603 following her recent repaint. (photo via John Parker)

247994603 4268094553313344 3149430622750586286 n — Another detail in MH603’s preparations included applying the appropriate canvas patches over the gun ports. (photo via John Parker)

And so the aircraft is now one step closer to flying again. VFR technicians are methodically working through their checklist, as one can never take short-cuts on such things, but the much-anticipated date of that first flight is fast-approaching. We will be on hand to witness and report on what will become Australia’s 4th airworthy Spitfire when she takes to the sky. Our thanks go to Ross Pay and the team at Vintage Fighter Restorations for making this update possible.

Many thanks to John Parker for this update. MH603 is currently available for purchase at Platinum Fighter Sales, as we reported in early October. The Spitfire, resplendent in her authentic RAF No.331 Squadron (Norwegian) livery, will certainly make an impressive addition to the air show circuit!

Related Articles

More from The Vintageaviationnews

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Stay Connected

Latest Posts

Events