Warbird Information Exchange

Hello,

Just trying to update my listing of airworthy Spitfires world-wide for a requested article.

Looking at FAA registrations some ownerships and custodianships are not clear to me.

Clarifications would be appreciated on the following please:-

SM969/N969SM registered to Lawrence Classics LLC. Is that a change of ownership from Jim Beasley and if so where is the Spitfire currently based.

SM832/N54SF registered to Comanche Warbirds. Is that currently airworthy or just 'airworthy resting'?

..and the two Tom Blair Spitfires at Kissimmee, RN201 and PL344, airworthy or resting?

Many thanks,

PeterA

Regarding SM969

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... ost2366190

With regard to the Comanche/Friedkin Spitfires in the US, it's hard to know for certain when/how often they are flown (unless you're connected directly with the operation), since they are all privately based (in the middle of nowhere) in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Spitfires Mk.V JG891, Mk.IX ML417, and Mk.XIV SM832 are all based there, and without seeing them on static display at POF, nor under overhaul/restoration anywhere, I'd say they are all airworthy/flying, just that they haven't been seen publicly at any airshows here in the US for quite some time (I don't think JG891 has ever been to any airshows in the US, ever since originally coming over from England back when it was still owned by Tom Blair). All three of these Spitfires can be seen in this ASB/Horsemen video, filmed at Comanche Ranch several years back, with SM832 and JG891 both filmed flying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59AA_QNoXOQ

With regard to RN201 and PL344, both are based at Easton, Maryland, where they call home (location of Tom Blair's hangar/collection). I seem to recall that RN201 has transited (flown), within just the past few years, between both Tom Blair's home base in Easton, Maryland and Stallion 51 in Kissimmee, Florida (back and forth) - not sure about PL344 (which there had been a rumor that it was going to be shipped over to England again and flown during the 2015 BOB Anniversary season, but that didn't happen, and the most recent photo I have seen of it shows it parked inside Blair's Easton, MD hangar this past September.) I would say that both could probably be considered "airworthy-resting".

Although you don't mention it, Peter, the Spitfire Mk.IX MK959 also of course changed ownership early last year, and is now owned (and very actively flown) by the Texas Flying Legends Museum, based out of Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.

I had the good fortune to attend the first post-restoration flight of this bird back in 2004 at Covey Trails. Eliot Cross arrived in a Bellanca to perform the honors. It was great news when we heard she was coming back to this neck of the woods.

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DBF

We have 2 of course: a flying Mk XVI and a Mk IX that will fly this summer.

http://www.vintagewings.ca/en-ca/home.aspx

Sitting there quietly and almost forgotten is the Mk VIIc at the Smithsonian. Checked on it last year and it is in good shape. You can reach over and touch it's elongated wingtip, however few have. No paint missing like when the nose of "Flak Bait" was displayed nearby.

Dave,

My understanding is that SL721, your 'flying Mk XVI', requires quite a lot of TLC to get it back in the air.

PeterA

That was my understanding as well and that the aircraft is currently for sale

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Here's a couple of pictures of MK959 from Wings Over Houston 2015

Did something happen to SL721?

SL721 was restored to flight in May 1967 by Bill Ross to the then engineering standards of the day.

Fifty years on of continuous but modest usage and the engineering standards and depth of Spitfire restoration have moved on considerably.

I suspect SL721 will be 'tired' and overdue a full airframe refreshment.

PeterA

John Terrell,

Many thanks for your informative post. This helps me considerably.

A further question:-

Is the Mk V of Rod Lewis BL628 / N628BL currently active and is it based in San Antonio, Texas?

PeterA

Peter, the best I can say about BL628 is that I *think* it remains airworthy/active (as would be expected of warbirds belonging to Rod Lewis), but like the Texas-based Friedkin Spitfires, it is based at Rod Lewis' private airfield and not seen publicly (it was at Oshkosh in 2008, which I think was its last public airshow appearance), so again the only good information would have to come from those tied to the operation of the aircraft. It is kept at/flown from El Jardin Ranch, outside of San Antonio - photos of it flying around the El Jardin area can be seen on its website: http://www.lewisairlegends.com/aircraft/marion

With regard to other Spitfires in the US, the Flying Heritage Collection Mk.V AR614 (N614VC), the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing's Mk.XIV NH749 (N749DP), the Historic Flight Foundation Mk.IX SL633 (N633VS), and the Military Aviation Museum's Mk.IX MJ730 (N730MJ) have all been active/flying (not to mention of course the others discussed so-far in this thread), however unfortunately both of the fantastic US-based Seafires are "airworthy-resting". Maybe Kermit Weeks' Spitfire Mk.XVI TE476 (N476TE) will be flown this year(?). Also, how soon before the Collings Foundation Spitfire flying Mk.IX is shipped to the US from England, I wonder? Although nothing is being done with it year, as far as I know, Collings also now have the Spitfire Mk.XVI TE356 (ex-Evergreen Museum) which of course will need a good deal of work to fly again. The California-based Tony Banta's Mk.XVI (N752TB) at Avspecs in New Zealand - another 1-2 years and flying?

John, the Collings Foundation one is a Mk.IX and not a Mk.V.

Ben

Sorry, But did I missed the Lone Star Flight Museum's Mk. XVI ( Converted to High Back, ) that was caught in the Hurricane's High water ? again, so sorry if I missed that here!

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