Supermarine Spitfire MH 603 First Flight

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MH 603 took to the air for its first flight since 1955 at Scone NSW and in spectacular style in its magnificent original WWII paint scheme. The first flight was conducted in the very capable hands of Stephen Death on the morning of Saturday 11 December 2021.

The initial flight lasted for around 20 minutes and various checks on the Spitfires systems and controls were carried out.  During this flight the aircraft completed several circuits of Scone airfield at various altitudes. Engine settings were tested and explored and the general handling properties of the aircraft were also assessed.

Ross Pay’s CAC Mustang VH AUB / A68-107 flown by Paul Bennet joined the circuit and ensured that the exterior of the Spitfire was as it should be. The two fighters looked sensational as they flew above the small but appreciative crowd gathered on the airfield below. The Rolls Royce Merlin engine has a very distinctive sound and the example in MH603 was no exception.

Upon landing the aircraft was placed back in the restoration hangar and all the cowlings were removed to check for any items needing remediation. However no adjustments were required other than minor adjustments to the trim. The cowlings were then refitted, and a series of further test flights conducted.  The flight test schedule was completed such that it was signed off by Stephen Death and will now be flown more hours to “bed “the aircraft in.

Stephen commented on the aircrafts superior build quality and magnificent flying characteristics and rates it as one of the best Spitfires anywhere.  This is a testament to the skills and workmanship of the Vintage Fighter Restoration and Pays Air Service team and is the third Spitfire constructed and flown by Pay’s & VFR. It was further enhanced by the flawless performance of MH603 “out of the box”

Vintage Fighter Restoration and Pays Air Services now have an enviable record for constructing Spitfires of the highest standards and are internationally recognised as a premium constructor of the type. The Spitfire is immaculate and highly accurate in its 331 RAF (Norwegian) Squadron markings and the effort put into the finish is to be seen to be believed.

This first flight of Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MH 603 was a privilege to witness and a culmination of many thousands of hours of professional engineering carried out by the engineering team at Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) led by Greg Johnson. Following on from this successful flight several more Spitfires are “in production” all of which will, remain at Scone NSW.  There are opportunities for interested parties to add their Warbird projects to the thriving Vintage Fighter Restorations production schedule.

History of Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MH 603

Ross Pay has always been keen to have a Spitfire back in the fleet since Mk VIII VH-HET was sold to Temora Aviation Museum (TAM). In 2009 that wish was fulfilled with the acquisition of Spitfire Mk IX MH603.  Spitfire Mk IX’s did not operate in Australia, however 451 and 453 Squadron’s RAAF were equipped with them in the ETO. In addition, many RAAF pilots flew the type with RAF Squadrons.

The Spitfire, with construction number CBAF.IX.5589, was built in 1943 at Castle Bromwich UK.  The aircraft, now serialed MH603 was delivered to 39 Maintenance Unit (MU) 15-10-43. It then passed on to 405 Repair and Salvage Unit (ARF) Croydon on 25-10-43. The aircraft was then issued to 331(Norwegian) Squadron a on 3-1-44 and served operationally coded” FN-B”, then moved to 274 Squadron coded as ‘JJ-K’ on 2-6-44, where it was flown by W/O.S.G.Barker. The Spitfire is then recorded as going to Fighter Leaders School FLS Millfield on 21-8-44 and then to the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE) Tangmere on 1-6-45. Following its operational service, the aircraft passed through a number of training and maintenance units. Post war in 1949 the Spitfire was sold to the South African Air Force and following retirement in 1955 passed on to South African Metal & Machinery Co, Salt River, Cape Town as scrap until the hulk was purchased in 1980.

In 1983 the aircraft’s hulk was back in the UK with Steve Atkins of Oxford, and then in 1989 the aircraft was with John Sykes, Oxford, UK. In 1993 the Spitfire is recorded as being in the USA with Joe Scogna/ Vintage Air, Yardley PA. In 1993 until 2008 the aircraft was a project at Fort Collins CO and in 2008 it was acquired by Provenance Fighter Sales and sold to Pay’s in 2009.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MH 603 is certainly a “world class restoration”.

© John Parker 2021

Warbirds Online