As reported on Global Aviation Resource, Richard Lake’s Supermarine Spitfire FR.XVIIIe SM845 (G-BUOS) made its first post-restoration flight from Imperial War Museum Duxford on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. This was the aircraft’s first hop into the skies since the summer of 2010. Historic Flying Limited (HFL) conducted the rebuild at IWM Duxford, in conjunction with Airframe Assemblies Ltd on the Isle of Wight. Both companies have been responsible for several high-profile Spitfire restorations in recent years, with their projects now flying in the UK, Europe and USA.
SM845 was built at Chattis Hill, England during 1945, being delivered to 39 MU (Maintenance Unit) on May 30th that year. The aircraft served primarily in India, first with the RAF, and then with the Indian Air Force after the nation gained independence in 1947. This aircraft was one of eight Spitfires which brothers Ormond and Wensley Haydon-Baillie recovered from India during 1977. It passed through several owners before being returned to the air by Historic Flying Ltd. in 1998. SM845 moved to Sweden under new ownership in 2009, gaining the civil registration SE-BIN on May 25th that year. Sadly, experienced aviator, Bertil Gerhardt died in the aircraft during an accident at Tynset, Norway in August, 2010; the aircraft veered off the runway and flipped during landing.
The Spitfire subsequently returned to the UK, where it underwent extensive restoration to flying condition with Historic Flying Ltd, in the Aircraft Restoration Company’s hangar at IWM Duxford, for its new owner, Richard Lake. The aircraft is now painted in a striking, silver scheme – with the red spinner adding a flash of color – representing RAF No. 28 Squadron when based in Hong Kong during July 1950.
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