Downunder Warbird Roundup

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH415, part of the late Connie Edward's collection for nearly five decades, is seen here undergoing its first engine runs after restoration at Vintage Fighter Restorations in Scone, New South Wales, Australia. This is one of several Spitfires restorations currently underway with VFR. (photo by John Parker)


There is a fair amount of Spitfire-related news coming from Australia in recent weeks, and we thought our readers would be interested to hear from our good friend John Parker at Warbirds Online who reports on recent progress at Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) in Scone, New South Wales, Australia. There is also a roundup of other related news from Scone as well! We will let John continue the story here…


Work still goes on in the warbird world, even in these uncertain times of the global pandemic. It’s good to have a diversion, so here is an update featuring recent restoration work underway at Vintage Fighter Restorations.

The big news is that VFR have completed the restoration of Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH415! The fighter has undergone successful engine runs and taxi trials. Indeed, we were there on the day and the Spitfire looked magnificent in the sun while its engine roared to life. This is the culmination of a long and fulfilling restoration of this famous Spitfire (the aircrafts history was detailed in our previous news article in 2015,  Spitfire MH415 to Australia). Ross Pay and the team at Scone are to be congratulated on their fantastic achievement in returning this aircraft to airworthy condition. The standard of restoration is second to none. Unfortunately though, the aircraft has yet to take to the skies as the owners decided to send the aircraft to the UK for its first flight, and to participate in various events during the summer season there. But, of course, shortly after VFR packed and freighted MH415 to Britain, the coronavirus arrived in force, which either cancelled, or rendered in doubt, the Spitfire’s scheduled performance at UK air shows.

MH603, the other Spitfire Mk.IX under restoration at VFR, is now the center of attention in the workshop, with its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine due in from the USA shortly following a lengthy rebuild to as-new condition. In the meantime, the restoration team is hard at work on the final fit-out of the electrical, hydraulic and fuel systems, as well as the cockpit interior and instrumentation. Furthermore, most of the cowlings and fairings are also now completed, so the aircraft is expected to undergo its ground trials and first flight within a couple of months. MH603 will likely remain in Scone with VFR for the foreseeable future, and participate in various air shows across Australia once they resume after the pandemic.

Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire restoration MH 603 now centre of attention at VFR her Rolls Royce Merlin engine is due from the USA shortly
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH603 is now the centre of attention at VFR. Her Rolls-Royce Merlin engine is due from the USA shortly. (photo by John Parker)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc (Trop) BS164/A58-63 is also making steady progress in the fuselage jig at VFR. As previously detailed in our news article in 2019, Squadron Leader E. M. Gibbs, Commanding Officer of No.54 Squadron RAF, shot down five and a half Japanese aircraft in this fighter. The Spitfire wore the fuselage identity letter K, and later DL-K. She gained 54 Squadron’s unique “Nip Glass” decal, instead of the more typical Japanese rising sun emblem, to mark each victory over an enemy aircraft, something unique to Australia. This restoration will not occur at a rapid pace, and will take several years to complete, however Australian enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the owners plan to keep this historic, Australian Campaign aircraft at Scone with Ross Pay’s collection once she is flying again. To be sure, it is likely the most significant Australia-based Spitfire to undergo restoration and will make a great addition to the nation’s vintage military aircraft movement.

Supermarine Spitfire MK VcT BS164 A58 63 restoration in fuselage jig at VFR Scone Nov 2019 1
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc(Trop) BS164/A58-63 in her fuselage jig at VFR Scone in November, 2019. (photo by John Parker)

One recent departure from Scone included the former Iraqi Air Force Hawker Fury FB.11 VH-SHF (c/n 37723). Readers will recall that her present Australian owner acquired this aircraft at auction a couple of years ago in non-airworthy condition. The owner has decided to send the Fury to the UK for its return to flight.

Hawker Sea Fury FB.X 10 aka Bagdad Fury FB 10 VH SHF undergoes dismantling for shipment to the UK
The ‘Bagdad’ Fury FB.11 VH-SHF seen here at Scone some weeks back during her disassembly for shipment to the UK. (photo by John Parker)

Work currently proceeds on Ross Pay’s Australian-built CA-18 Mustang Mk.21 A68-107 (VH-AUB). The Mustang is undergoing some airframe work and routine engine maintenance.

Ross Pays CAC CA 18 Mk21 Mustang A68 107 VH AUB gets routine maintanance on her Rolls Royce Packard merlin engine and airframe work
Ross Pay’s CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk.21 A68-107 undergoing routine maintenance on her Merlin engine and airframe work in VFR’s hangar. (photo by John Parker)

On our most recent visit to Scone, a favorite, former resident warbird dropped in for a visit too. North American P-51D Mustang 45-11526, (VH-FST) arrived from Archerfield on its way down south much to the enjoyment of the VFR team. Fighter Pilot of Archerfield currently operate the aircraft; she looks magnificent, and is a credit to her owners. Interestingly, this Mustang was once part of Ross Pay’s stable, and his team performed extensive refurbishment work prior to her sale “up north”.

North American P51D Mustang 45 11526 VH FST down from Archerfield on its way down south dropped in to visit VFR
North American P-51D Mustang 45-11526 arriving from Archerfield dropped in to visit VFR, before heading off again on its way further south. (photo by John Parker)

North American P51D Mustang 45 11526 VH FST down from Archerfield dropped in for a visit at VFR
P-51D Mustang 45-11526 once resided in a hangar at Scone. (photo by John Parker)

Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII RCAF 5481 was also out and about on the day of our visit. The beautiful fighter was on her way south for a final air show, before the onset of COVID-19, in the experienced hands of Paul Bennet.

Hawker Hurricane 5481 taking off for her first flight at Scone NSW 3
Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII RCAF 5481 taking off for her first flight at Scone NSW. (photo by John Parker)

The resident North American T-6G took off for a training sortie around the airfield in the hands of Alex Pay. It was a sight to see in its radiant polished aluminum scheme!

North American T6 VH HAJ on a training flight in the hands of Alex Pay
North American T-6G 49-3186 about to head off on a training flight in the hands of Alex Pay. (photo by John Parker)

In the VFR hangar, restoration work was also underway on Cessna O-1 Bird Dog 51-12245 following some damage it sustained a few years ago. The wings are currently the focus of extensive repairs.

Cessna O1 Bird dog wing undergoes restoration of her wing assembly towards a first flight in the future in the VFR hangar
The wing of Cessna O-1 Bird Dog 51-12245 undergoing repairs in the VFR hangar. (photo by John Parker)

CAC CA-18 Mustang PR.22 A68-199 has now completed its maintenance and repaint schedule in Scone, and has temporarily moved to Albion Park with the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) collection where it will fly at various events. The paint scheme is a real credit to Ross Pay and the team at VFR, as it looks truly magnificent!

CAC Mustang CA 18 PR22 A68 199 side profile view
CAC CA-18 Mustang PR.22 A68-199 in the hangar prior to moving down to Albion Park. (photo by John Parker)

On another note, it is easy to forget that Pays main “day job” is actually aerial fire fighting. With the conclusion of what turned into a tragic 2019/2020 fire season, the huge task of maintenance on the resident air attack fleet is underway. Air Tractor Fire Boss “219” was undergoing treatment while we were there. The maintenance crew had removed its Wipline 10000 amphibious floats and replaced them with conventional, wheeled gear. They were preparing the aircraft for painting over its previous owner’s yellow and black scheme with Ross Pay’s fleet colors. These are surprisingly large and complex aircraft, and it was interesting to see the machine with all the access panels removed, revealing the myriad internal systems.

Air Tractor Fire Boss 219 undergoing a repaint into Pays colors floats are in the paint shop
Air Tractor Fire Boss 219 is undergoing a repaint into Pay’s fleet colors. Her floats are in the paint shop. (photo by John Parker)

All work is being undertaken safely at VFR, despite the difficulties thrown up by the COVID-19 virus, and it is a credit to Ross Pay and his team for adapting their work practices to meet the current health and safety requirements.


Many thanks indeed to John Parker for this fascinating update. We wish our fellow Australian’s good luck in coping with the current health crisis. Be safe, and be well everyone!

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Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.

After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.

Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.

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About Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor) 1060 Articles
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends. After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups. Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.

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