Spitfire IX ML417 (N2TF ex G-BJSG) Back in the UK

It appears ML417 was up and about in the skies above Duxford today : –

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Now has the correct flared style exhausts, and as I thought, the single rear fuselage tank has been removed, although the T.IX gun bay tanks have been retained.

It will be interesting to see the how much the cockpit has been returned to ‘stock’ condition compared to how it was during it’s original restoration.

Cheers

Paul

I know PT462 used the wings from TE517, but I seem to recall a fair bit of parts from ML417 ended up in 462.

Cheers

Paul

I understand the financial reasons for the plethora of two-seaters, but they look ‘orrible!

Especially now, as for obvious reasons, they use original style rear canopies rather then Nick Grace’s sleeker revision.

With the amount of 2 seaters being built as we speak it can stay single, like me !!

Looking superb, 

Apparently, it’s been subject to a 3 year overhaul by ARC! 

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Prop Strike, yes it’s interesting that if it had not been rebuilt ‘back in the day’, it would no doubt have stayed as a two seater. But having said that, It’s nice to see it back here and hopefully like some of the other Freidkin aircraft, will stay for a while.

As for it’s first rebuild/restoration, there are some good pictures in Jeremy Flack’s ‘Spitfire’ of it undergoing ground testing at Booker. It doesn’t seem that long ago it would have been flying for 20 years, yet here we are coming up to it’s 40th! 

Cheers

Paul

I got to know Joe Austin, an engineer at Personal Plane Services for decades, and who oversaw the conversion of this Indian Air Force  two seater back to single seat. I dont recall it being done before or since, and he said he nearly had a nervous breakdown over it !

The irony is that now, as a WW2 vet with combat victories over 109’s and 190’s it would be a huge draw in the rides business.

Time to convert it back, perhaps…

Looking superb,