Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX BS548

Regular readers of Warbirds Online will recall that we have previously reported on Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX BS548 being acquired by Ross Pay for conversion to a two seat configuration as a Spitfire T Mk IX/ TR 9. Unlike Spitfire Mk IX MH415 and MH603 which were restorations for customers, Spitfire BS548 will become part of the Pays Air Service and Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) fleet at Scone NSW. The Spitfire will be made available for dual instruction training and Warbird experience flights at Scone.

The Spitfire fuselage has been under rebuild for some time at the world-famous Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight, UK.  The workmanship undertaken is superb as always. The work includes the complete rebuild of the fuselage structurally, including the installation of a “Grace” style second cockpit which has a much better “look” and lower profile than the traditional twin bubble style of the past.

Recently, upon the structural completion of the fuselage it was prepared for transport and moved to the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) at Duxford UK for the detailed fit out of all its systems and equipment. ARCo also have an excellent reputation having been involved in numerous Spitfire rebuilds over time. Meanwhile, the decision has been taken to have the rest of the airframe including the wings and entire tail assembly rebuilt by Airframe Assemblies. These items are already well advanced.

There is no completion date for this Spitfire, but given the recent rapid progress it shouldn’t be too long to wait before this first Australian two seat Spitfire makes its way to Scone.  This provides Australians with the opportunity to experience flight in a real Spitfire – a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Spitfire BS548 will take pride of place in the Pays Air Service and Vintage Fighter Restorations fleet. Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a X4009, donated to Hunter Fighter Collection Inc. has commenced its restoration in the UK and Spitfire Mk Vb Trop, A58-63 F.VC (RAF Serial`BS164) is awaiting its turn for restoration – both of which are particularly important and historic Australian connected aircraft.  So it won’t be long before Scone NSW becomes the place to see Supermarine Spitfires in Australia, with at least three of the breed in permanent residence at Scone NSW.

History of Spitfire BS548

From our previous News Article, the background of Spitfire BS548 is most interesting.

Supermarine Spitfire BS548 was manufactured by Vickers Supermarine in 1942 apparently as a Mk V, however, was almost immediately converted by Rolls Royce Hucknall as a Mk IX . With a Rolls Royce 61 series engine she first flew on the 31st of October 1942 and flew with 340 Sqn, 402 Sqn and lastly with 341 Sqn. It was damaged on 31st Jan 1943 and repaired returning to service with 341 Sqn.

Spitfire IX BS548 was last flown by famous French pilot Lieutenant Claude Raoul-Duval of 341 ‘Alsace’ Squadron on 17 April 1943 when it was shot down near Tancarville, France by Fw Herbert Gumprecht of 11/JG2 in an Fw 190. BS548 dived into reclaimed marshland and was completely buried.

Fortunately, Claude Raoul-Duval went on to have a distinguished career in the RAF and was even present at the excavation of BS548 in 2012. Claude authored a book ‘Ciel de Sable’ (Sky of Sand) about his service in Libya and Egypt in 1942 at which time he was credited with a Ju88 being shot down. The aircraft was previously with 340 Free French Sqn ‘Ile de France ‘then spent some time with Royal Canadian air Force (RCAF) 402 Sqn and then went back to 340 and later to 341 Sqn.

No.341 Squadron was established on 15 January 1943 at Turnhouse, Scotland, 11 miles west of Edinburgh and was largely composed of personnel of the Free French, which had previously operated in the Western Desert. Equipped with Spitfires, 341 moved to Biggin Hill in March 1943 and participated in “big wing” sweeps over France.

Warbirds Online acknowledges and is grateful for the use of some images in this story from Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight, UK.

Want to read about the recovery of Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX BS548?

Then go to our new article “Supermarine Spitfire Scramble in Australia”.

© John Parker 2021