With nothing to report over the Christmas break, I thought I’d keep the thread going with another visit to the past at Duxford.
The recent debut of Spitfire SM845 in a silver scheme brings memories of:

Duxford’s Silver Spitfires

BBMF Spitfire LF.IX MK356 was another ARCo project. During a major overhaul in 2007/2008, she was repainted to represent a 601 (County Of London) Squadron aircraft active from Italy in 1944. Seen here taxying in after an acceptance flight just before delivery on 2-7-08, she has only recently been repainted.

Dutch based Spitfire LF.IX MK732/PH-OUQ has been a regular visitor to Duxford, seen here on 7-9-13 landing after a display. Both MK356 and MK732 saw combat over the invasion beaches in 1944, with Canadian and New Zealand RAF squadrons respectively.

TFC’s Spitfire FR.XIV MV293/G-SPIT first flew after rebuild in 1992 and wore these 2 Sq colours until repainted as ‘MV268’ in 2000. Seen here on 9-4-00:

Spitfire F.XVIII SM969/G-BRAF flew with Doug Arnold from 1985, and arrived with TFC at Duxford in 2006 for rebuild (seen on 22-4-06 just after unpacking). Sadly not flown in the UK after completion, she flies in the USA as N969SM:

Spitfire F.XIV RN201/G-BSKP at Duxford 11-6-05 still carries these colours, but in the USA as N201TB with Tom Blair:

TD248/G-OXVI seen 6-9-00, still very active but rather less colourful now:

The IWM F.24 VN485. To quote THE BOOK, performed ‘very probably the last operational Spitfire flight by any British service’. Seen here 14-6-03:

Finally, another Duxford based Spitfire, BM597/G-MKVB. Seen here on the gate at Bridgnorth in the late 1950’s (from the Tony Clarke Collection)

Duxford Tuesday 17th December:

At lunchtime today Spitfire G-BUOS / SM845 flew again after rebuild. I think the pictures speak for themselves.
Congratulations to all involved.

As the light faded, another Spitfire sortie:

Here’s a look at the past life of SM845.

A Haydon-Baillie recovery from India in 1977/78, SM845 passed through several owners in the USA before being moved to Audley End in 1992 for completion of rebuild. First flight was 7-7-00 in the hands of Charlie Brown, landing at Duxford. Seen here shortly after arrival:

Uncoded, on static display at Legends 9-7-00:

Test flying was completed at Duxford by ARCo (6-9-00):

32 Sq markings ‘GZ-J’ were applied. Seen 15-6-03, note Breitling badge:

In 2004, SM845 wore invasion stripes to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day (seen here 12-6-04):

Back to the 1949 era colours (11-6-05):

Thanks to Duxman for this landing shot (14-10-07):

Sold in Sweden, SM845 departed on 7-5-09 to become SE-BIN, but returned for Legends 2009 (seen 11-7-09):

Stored for a while after the tragic accident on 21-8-10, SM845 rejoined the UK register on 12-11-12 for rebuild.

Duxford Wednesday 11th December:

Rudolph the red-nosed Spitfire:

Has a very shiny nose:

Making her first public appearance this morning, with a brief compass-swing, was Spitfire FR.XVIIIe G-BUOS / SM845. Sadly shot into low sun, but still a wonderful sight. Congratulations to all involved, this rebuild will set new standards again.

Duxford Monday 9th December:

Firstly, here’s a wonderful shot from Hangar 2 yesterday evening, sent to me by Steve Carter.

On to today, and the TFC Sea Fury had her engine removed this morning, allowing a look at some very complex systems:

At Hangar 5, the V2 is the latest ‘large object’ to head back to London:

Old Warden Tuesday 3rd December:

There’s lots to report from the busy Shuttleworth workshops. The Camel undercarriage is painted and looks splendid:

The Tomtit fuselage is also looking good, some more work is needed on the wings before they are covered:

The top wing centre section/fuel tank:

The tailplane is covered:

This replica of a late Lilienthal glider has recently been donated to the Collection. In 1894, Otto Lilienthal built a 50ft conical hill to jump off for his test flights, I doubt that will be repeated at Old Warden:

The Comet has left the workshops for a while, and the opportunity has been taken to display it next to the Mew Gull. Next year’s October Airshow is Race Day, the thought of this pair flying together is rather exciting:

Despite the gloomy weather, there were a few visitors today:

By pure luck, today saw the unveiling of a memorial at Tempsford. The Prince of Wales’ itinerary reads:

”The Prince will attend a Service of Dedication before unveiling a memorial to honour and remember the women who flew out of RAF Tempsford to aid resistance movements in occupied Europe before meeting relatives and members of the local community at the Wheatsheaf pub in Tempsford.”
(My old English teacher would have been furious at the grammar!)

Naturally, the Lysander was due to appear, a half-hour sortie was completed by some air-to-air photography with a based Yak 52:

Many thanks as usual to all at Old Warden for their help.

The Shuttleworth Facebook page is well worth a look, there are regular well-illustrated updates and features (including one of today’s air-to-air photos):

https://www.facebook.com/ShuttleworthCollection?ref=ts

Duxford Monday 2nd December:

Thanks for all the kind words, especially welcome when it’s a struggle to find anything to report!
The only news this morning concerned the departure of the Harrier wing. It suggests the work in Lambeth is progressing, but I don’t envy those who will be assembling the aircraft in a very confined space.