The MK IX Spitfire MJ772, formerly owned by the Champlin Museum before being sold to the Museum of Flight in Seattle has been sent to the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for a two year loan. In return, The Seattle MOF gets the Nakajima Ki-43IIb Haybusa for the same two year period. From what I remember, it actually belongs to the National Air and Space Museum.
I guess that makes sense, considering that the MOF still has Mk IX MK923 on loan from the McCaw Family. It’s grounded anyhow.
By: Mark12 - 16th April 2004 at 22:50
My money is on it flying again. 😉
Mark
By: Der - 16th April 2004 at 22:43
Bloody shame it’s now effectively grounded.
By: Mark12 - 16th April 2004 at 22:42
MJ772
Der,
Sure is.
It was actually painted whilst at Shoreham.
Here is a shot I took there on 3 May 1971.
That is Don Plumb in the rear seat with Peter (forgotten his name) from Shoreham Aviation Services up front. Don went on to buy Willie Roberts’ second two seater at this time and ship it to Canada.
Mark
By: HighBack - 16th April 2004 at 22:27
Thats the one Der, G-AVAV, Remember it at Strathallan when I was slightly younger !
By: Der - 16th April 2004 at 21:16
Is this the ex-Strathallan 2 seater?
They had one coded NL-R, with the cross of Lorraine on it as well, and the original “high” back cockpit.
Is this the same beast?
By: mexicanbob - 16th April 2004 at 19:19
That’s the first picture I’ve ever seen of this Spitfire in the air. I does look a little odd with the canopy in the wrong place. I was told that it could be put back in two seat configuration in just a couple of days time. Apparantly most of the back seat is still intact and the cover is just screwed over the cockpit. Personally, I’d rather see it as a two seater.
As far as it being in flying shape now, I still doubt it. That’s not to say that with a couple of weeks work it couldn’t take to the sky again. But I don’t think it’s a matter of just filling the tanks and cranking her up.
Airworthy or not, I think her flying days are over. I hope I’m wrong.
By: Mark12 - 16th April 2004 at 18:56
We’re riding along on the crest of a wave..
Mesa, Arizona – late in 1985.
Mark
Photo via Doug Champlin
By: Chad Veich - 16th April 2004 at 18:16
MJ772 was definitely flown after her repairs at least twice. Steve Hinton flew the Spit to the paint shop and then back again. I imagine a few test flights must have been undertaken as well before that. I have a postcard somewhere showing the Spit in formation with Bill Hane’s Mustang after the repaint. I bet it would not take too much work to get air under her wings again.
PS- The WIX board has a news blurb by the EAA containing more details of the swap.
By: mexicanbob - 16th April 2004 at 12:16
I doubt that she will be flown while in the care of the EAA. The EAA retired their P-51 from flying late last year and as far as I know, the only flying warbird they have anymore is the B-17. That’s most likely because they can make money off selling rides.
I don’t think MJ772 is even airworthy in the strictist sense of the word. No matter what was said by the Champlin museum. After it’s landing accident several years ago, it was restored but never flown more than a couple of times, if at all.
By: DazDaMan - 16th April 2004 at 08:46
She was kept in airworthy trim, but not flown, at Champlin – will it be the same at Oshkosh?
By: mexicanbob - 16th April 2004 at 06:10
I don’t have any further info at the moment. But, I guess it depends on what your wanting to know. My source is people that I know at both museums. If you let me know what specifics you are hunting for, I’ll do what I can.
By: Neil Medcalf - 16th April 2004 at 04:43
Do you have any further info…. Source perhaps.. Looking for any details you can find.. Thanks- Neil
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April 15, 2004 at 2:11 am