Vintage Fighter Restorations–Warbird Restoration Update

Work still goes on in the Warbird world even in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 virus. It’s good to have a diversion, so Warbird Online is featuring the recent restoration work underway at Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) at Scone NSW.

The big news is that Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire MH415 has now been completed and has had engine runs and taxi trials which were very successful. We were there on the day and the Spitfire looked magnificent in the sun while its engine was run up. This is the culmination of a long and fulfilling restoration of this famous Spitfire (the aircrafts history was detailed in our previous news article in 2015,  Spitfire MH-415 to Australia ). Ross Pay and the team at Scone are to be congratulated on the fantastic job that has been done to return this aircraft to the air. The standard of the restoration is second to none.

Sadly, the aircrafts owners decided to send the aircraft to the UK for its first flight and to participate in various airshows in the summer season there. Unfortunately shortly after the aircraft was packed and freighted to the UK the COVID-19 virus has hit which will render the Spitfires performance at UK airshows null, as the airshows have now been either cancelled or are in doubt.

The other Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire restoration, MH-603 is now the center of attention in the workshop with its Rolls Royce Merlin engine due in from the USA shortly after a lengthy rebuild to as new condition. In the meantime all of the final fit out of the electrical, hydraulic and fuel systems as well as the cockpit interior including the instrumentation is being completed. In addition, most of the cowlings and fairings have also been completed and it is expected that the aircraft will have all of its ground trials and first flight within a couple of months. This aircraft will be in pristine condition when completed and is another in the Spitfire production line from VFR expected to expand in the coming years. MH-603 is expected to remain in Scone with VFR for the foreseeable future and participate in various airshows in Australia when they resume after the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Supermarine Spitfire F.VC (Trop) A58-63 F.VC (RAF Serial`BS164) is also making steady progress in the Fuselage jig at the start of its journey to flight. As previously detailed in our news article in 2019.  Supermarine Spitfire Restorations Australia. This aircraft is that flown by Squadron Leader E. M. Gibbs, the Commanding Officer of No. 54 (Spitfire) Squadron RAF in which he scored 5 and a half Japanese aircraft shot down. The Spitfire was initially coded K and later DL-K and featured 54 Squadrons unique “Nip Glass” “Kill Markings” instead of Japanese rising Sun markings – unique to Australia. This aircraft is not a rapid rebuild and will take several years to complete however enthusiasts will be happy to learn that it is the intention to have this historic Australian campaign aircraft remain in Scone with the Pays collection. It is probably the most significant Australian based Spitfire to be restored and will make a great addition to the Australian Warbird movement.

Other departures from Scone recently were Hawker Sea Fury FB.X (10) also known as a “Bagdad Fury” FB.10 Construction No 37723 civil registered VH-SHF. Readers will recall that this aircraft was purchased at auction by an Australian buyer a couple of years ago. The owner of this aircraft has now decided to send this aircraft to the UK for its return to flight.

Work currently proceeds on Ross Pay’s CAC CA-18 Mk21 Mustang, A68-107 / VH-AUB and is comprised of routine maintenance on its Rolls Royce / Packard Merlin engine and some airframe work.

On our most recent visit to Scone an old favorite former resident dropped in for a visit, North American P51D Mustang, 45-11526, VH-FST flew from Archerfield on its way down south and dropped in for a visit much to the enjoyment of the VFR team, now operated by Fighter Pilot of Archerfield the aircraft looked magnificent and is a credit to its owners. This aircraft was once owned by Pay’s and had extensive refurbishment work carried out prior to its sale “up north”.

Also out and about on the day was  Hawker Hurricane, Serial No 5481 C/N 60372, on its way south for its last air show before the onset of COVID-19 in the experienced hands of Paul Bennet and looking as beautiful as ever.

Lastly the resident T6 Harvard took off and flew a training sortie around the airfield in the hands of Alex Pay and was a sight to see in its beautiful polished silver scheme.

In the VFR hangar work was also proceeding in the restoration to flight of Cessna O1 Bird Dog VH-LQS following some damage it sustained a few years ago. On the day of our visit the Cessna was having extensive rebuilding of its wings.

CAC Mustang CA-18 PR.22 A68-199 has now completed its maintenance and repaint schedule in Scone and has temporarily moved to Albion Park with the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) collection where it will be flown at various events. The paint scheme is a real credit to Ross Pay and the team at VFR.  It looks truly magnificent.

We tend to forget that Pays main “Day Job” is Fire Fighting and with the successful end of the tragic 2019/2020 fire season the huge task of maintenance on the fleet of firefighting aircraft before the next season is underway. On the day of our visit Air Tractor Fire Boss “219” had had its Wipline 10000 amphibious floats removed and wheeled landing gear fitted for repainting in the Pays color scheme from its yellow and black scheme of its previous owner. These are very large and complex aircraft and it was interesting to see the machine with all the access panels removed displaying the myriad of internal systems.

All work is being undertaken safely at VFR despite the COVID-19 virus and it’s a credit to Ross Pay and the team in adapting work practices to meet the current health and safety requirements.

Warbirds Online will continue to report on further progress and exciting future progress at Scone with VFR as it moves ahead positively despite the effect of the Virus on our daily life and the World.

© John Parker 2020