Supermarine Spitfire MH603 Engine run

On Wednesday 13th October 2021, Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IX MH603 of Pay’s Air Service and Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) undertook the next phase of its engine testing at Scone prior to its first flight. The COVID shutdown has slightly delayed the program of engine running however the engine is now in the final phases of testing and bedding in.

Readers will recall from news article “Supermarine Spitfire MH603 First Engine Run” that the engine was started for the first time in June 2021 and the aircraft was then subjected to final painting of large sections of the airframe and detailed stencilling applied to complete the restoration. The Spitfire now looks immaculate and the attention to detail is very impressive.

On the day the aircraft was rolled out to the hard standing, tied down and chocked ready for Alf Morgan to take to the cockpit again to carry out more running of the mighty Rolls Royce Merlin. The aim on the day was to run the engine on longer runs and at higher power settings which is why it was necessary to tie it down and chock it securely. After a series of short runs to ensure its operation the engine was taken through a series of longer exercises gradually increasing the application of revs and power.

The big 12 piston engine of 27-litres (1,650 cu in) behaved faultlessly and sounded fantastic. This was to the appreciation of the small crowd of Pay’s and VFR staff plus the Hunter Fighter Collection (HFC) Volunteers who were working of the Mirage for the Warbirds Attraction and took time off to watch the show.

More runs will take place in coming weeks until the first flight takes place. There are no short cuts or second chances at this stage of the restoration and when all of the procedures and checklists have been attended to the Spitfire will undertake its first flight. There is no definitive timing on first flight of Supermarine Spitfire MH603. However with the passing of each day, the number of items to be completed grows smaller and smaller.

Warbirds Online will be on hand to witness and report on Australia’s 4th current flying Spitfire as it takes to the sky. Our thanks go to Ross Pay and the team at Vintage Fighter Restorations for making this article possible.

© John Parker 2021