In a coup for the Australian Warbird movement and historic aviation globally, the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a flown by Australia’s top scoring Battle of Britain ace, 39461 Flight Lieut. Paterson Clarence Hughes, DFC (19 September 1917 – 7 September 1940) is to be rebuilt to airworthy condition and operated in Australia as a flying memorial to “Pat” Hughes. The aircraft is Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a, RAF Serial X4009 construction number 6S-74889 / 945, built at the Supermarine Eastleigh factory in the UK.
Recently the opportunity presented itself to purchase the remains of the aircraft, together with its identity, with a view to restoring her to airworthy condition. The aircraft was duly placed on the UK civil register as G-EMET and then it was acquired as a project by Ross and Ann-Maree Pay and generously donated to The Hunter Fighter Collection, a not for profit organization based in Scone NSW. Given the poor state of the (substantial) remains of the aircraft it will be a very comprehensive rebuild.
This exciting news has just emerged from Hunter Fighter Collection and Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) at Scone NSW. Ross Pay of Pays Air Service and (VFR) is particularly proud and excited at the prospect of rebuilding and operating the aircraft at Scone on behalf of The Hunter Fighter Collection. The aircraft was officially placed on the UK civil aircraft register in May 2020 and ownership will now be transferred to The Hunter Fighter Collection, a Not-for-Profit organization based in Scone.
In addition, Hunter Fighter Collection, a Not-for-Profit organization, was successful recently in securing a Commonwealth Grant from the “Saluting Their Service” program to enable the commencement of the restoration and work will commence almost immediately with the fuselage assembly.
The Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants program is designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a wide range of projects and activities that highlight the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and promote appreciation and understanding of the role that those who served have played in shaping the nation.
Vintage Fighter Restorations have an enviable record `in the field of Spitfire rebuilds and operation’ having rebuilt Mk VIII A58-758 VH-HET and Mk IXs MH 415 and they are currently rebuilding IX MH603, a third Mk IX being rebuilt as a two seater.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk1a, RAF Serial X4009
The Spitfire was the machine Paterson Clarence Hughes was flying on the day he was killed in action on the 7th of September 1940. This is one of the highest “Kill” Spitfires from the battle with 10 victories; it is also unique in that Pat Hughes was the sole pilot to fly the Spitfire during its brief but successful service life of just 3 weeks completing 21 sorties. Hughes claimed a total 9 victories in 5 separate engagements including 5 Me109, 3 Me110s and a Do17with an additional probable Me109 for a total of 10 victories from his wartime total of 17 (the others being in several other Spitfires he flew before the arrival of X4009).
The number of victories scored, included the probable shooting down of Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, the famous “One That Got Away” and combined with the fact that the aircraft was only flown operationally by Hughes makes it one of, if not the most famous and significant of Spitfire restorations ever undertaken, certainly this is the most significant Australian flown Spitfire.
Spitfire X4009’s first flight took place on 24th July 1940 and the Spitfire was then flown to RAF No37 Maintenance Unit on 28th July 1940. On the 18th August 1940 she was issued to No 234 Squadron RAF. On 7th September 1940 the aircraft crashed after an engagement with a Luftwaffe Do17 South East of London with F/Lt P C Hughes killed after bailing out of the aircraft. The Spitfire was officially struck off RAF charge on 30th September 1940.
Spitfire X4009 is generally thought to have collided with wreckage from the crippled German bomber, rendering the Spitfire uncontrollable. It is also possible that Hughes accidentally rammed his target. Further speculation suggested that he was the victim of friendly fire from another British fighter attacking the same Dornier, or was struck by German bullets from a Bf 109. Some observers on the ground, including collier Charles Hall, maintained that Hughes rammed the Dornier on purpose. Whatever the case, Hughes bailed out of his faithful X4009 however his parachute did not open and he died as a result. The aircraft fell in a field at Sundridge, Kent, UK.
He was the driving force in the achievements of 234 Squadron RAF and he lies at rest in St. James Church Yard, Sutton in Holderness, Hull, UK. A stone monument dedicated to 39461 Flight Lieut. Paterson Clarence Hughes D.F.C. is located in Kiama NSW.
Many years later the wreckage of the Spitfire was excavated and various components recovered and placed on display at various museums in the UK whilst other fragments were held in private collections.
There has been somewhat of resurgence in the restoration of airworthy Mk1 Spitfire aircraft and Warbirds Online has witnessed the 4 airworthy Mk1 Spitfires flying at Duxford at a number of airshows and it was a great sight. This activity has meant that the tooling and components are now available to allow for more restorations and this will assist the rebuild of Spitfire X4009 immensely.
Further plans for the restoration will be published shortly by Warbirds Online.
Warbirds Online acknowledges and is grateful for the use of some material in this story from the Australian War Memorial’s website, James Bentley artwork and sources from other websites.
© John Parker 2021
I am so glad this project is being undertaken.I have always felt that the pilots from the dominions deserve recognition of their service in the forces that helped fight the enemy.
Hi John
We are really pleased to take on this project dedicated to the memory of Pat Hughes.
Kind regards
John
This is wonderful news. What a fine tribute to Pat, and the other pilots who flew with him. Hopefully it will make many more people aware of him, and his fellow pilots, and what they did. Congratulations, and a big thank you, to the Pay’s.
Hi Peter
Thank you for your wishes and we look forward to undertaking the rebuilt as a memorial to his memory.
Kind regards
John
This is fabulous news. Pat was my father’s brother (obviously my uncle) whose fame has been widely acknowledged in recent years by authors such as Kristen Alexander and the late Dennis Newton. He is mentioned in many other publications covering the Battle for Britain over the years. Unfortunately I never met him as I was born 31/2 years after he was killed.
I have however always taken a great interest in his history and spent some time with Dennis Newton on his last book “A Spitfire Pilot’s Story” which is Pat’s biography.
I wish you every success in re building and flying Pat’s Spitfire and hope to one day visit Scone to see it.
David Hughes
Hi David
Thank you for contacting us. We are thrilled to undertake the rebuild of his aircraft. I have your details and will give you a call.
Kind regards
John
Hello David, I have read Dennis’ book and researched Pat, and wondered if any of his descendants were contactable.
I have restored a 1:24 scale Mk1 Spitfire is his honour which takes pride of place in my collection and am slowly putting together a Mk1 Spitfire instrument panel as well.
I have seen photos of his memorials in Kiama and Cooma and, when travel restrictions ease, I hope to visit them.
I am also friends on Facebook with the grandson of Dick Hardy who flew with Pat in 234 Squadron RAF.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
I have just noticed your post on Warbirds Online. I guess you are part of the Johns line from John Nichols.
Our clan is very proud of Pat and there has been heaps of research done over the years. A cousin of mine has recently gifted me Pat’s scrap books and lots of very small photos from his RAAF days at Pt Cook. I have also recently had correspondence from the Shoreham Museum in the UK where some parts from Pat’s plane are displayed.
I am currently putting together bio’s of Pat and my cousin AVM Henry “Bill” Hughes for the Temora Aviation Museum. Bill Hughes won a DFC in Korea and had a stellar career in the RAAF. He was a gun pilot and was the leader of the missions to evaluate the suitability of both the F-111and FA-18. He flew the first F-111 from the USA to Australia. Unfortunately a stroke took him too early in his 70’s. Thanks for your interest. Regards David
Hi David – Pat was my Pop Charles Hughes’ first cousin. In 2017 while in Europe and the UK, my partner and I made a pilgrimage to the site of Pat’s death and the residential memorial in Sundridge (now an Osteopath’s practice), as well as his grave in Hull and then to the Battle of Britain museum in Folkstone where we were hosted by the Curator Dave Brocklehurst MBE. There we were able to view Pat’s artifacts, including remnants of the Dornier bomber he downed on that fateful day. I have many photos from that trip and would love to make contact and share them with your side of the family. I’m equally thrilled about this project as I live in Muswellbrook just near Scone. I have sent an email to Ross and Anne-Maree Pay and hope to hear back from them soon.
I have also stayed in touch with Fort Street School in Sydney where Pat completed his education and they have added last year information to their “Lost Fort Street” historical archive.
Wishing all involved every success with this great project.
Regards
Chris March
Hi Chris
Thank you for sharing this information.
Kind regards
John
Hi Chris,
I’ve been brought through many searches to this site as I am researching the markings of Pat’s Spitfire, as I am intending to paint a canvas of the scene. One reason being, is that I live a mile from the bungalow in Sundridge where he fell and regularly stop at the memorial to pay my respects.
I also visit the Shoreham aircraft museum frequently for a cuppa and know the owner and resident artist there.
I have settled on DW K with the serial no. K4009. The Dornier marking is another matter but have it as a KG76 group. Any information that you have, especially as to the exact crash sites for both aircraft would be of use.
Nick Mumford
Hi David
I am the owner of Avro Cadet A6-8 which was used at 1FTS Pt. Cook from 1936 onwards. I strongly suspect it was flown by Pat during his training. As No.19 ‘A’ Course was ‘split’ between the DH60 and the Cadet I am trying to locate any records that may confirm his flying experience during training. If anyone in your extended family has correspondence or Pats logbook I would be keen to talk to them.
-8 is airworthy and currently ‘living’ in South Australia and (in what may be a world first) when Ross and his team have done their fine works at Scone we may be able to pay tribute to your uncle with the first and the last aeroplanes he flew during his service.
Can you contact me via email please?
Regards
Darryl
Hi Darryl
I am the Public Officer of Hunter Fighter Collection and the owner of Warbirds Online. HFC owns Spitfire X4009 and are undertaking the restoration. I am interested in speaking to you and will email you separately re this comment.
re Pat’s time in Avro Cadets/aircraft. His service was at Point Cook Victoria and they would likely have the log books and records.
His RAAF Service at Point Cook
Rank: Air Cadet
Enlisted: 20 January 1936 No 1 Flying Training School RAAF Point Cook
Discharged: 9 January 1937 No 1 Flying Training School RAAF Point Cook
Kind regards
John
We have an Off Market Exclusive Listing for a Mark IVX Spitfire in flying condition. Would you know of any entity who maybe interested in purchasing this rare warbird classic?
If so please contact Mike Holmes Perth email bataleur1@hotmail.com
So pleased this is happening, so much so did and RC model in the markings of X4009.
[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51651491563_2df9722564_c.jpg[/img]
Hi Peter
Great looking model – thanks for sharing – hopefully wont be long before the real thing takes to the sky – thanks for your comments they are appreciated.
Kind regards
John