First flight down under for Spitfire MH603

For the first time after a period of eleven years of restoration, Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH603 (c/n CBAF.IX.5589) took to the air at Scone (NSW), Australia, today 11 December 2021. MH603, registered as VH-IXF since 28 July 2011, has been restored there by Vintage Fighter Restorations (a division of Pay’s Air Service) Aviation.

The fighter is finished in its original wartime colours of 331 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF with code FN-B.

It was delivered to the RAF in 1943 and entered 331 squadron on 3 January 1944. MH603 was flown in this squadron by Capt. Bjorn Bjornstad. It later served 274 Squadron, with code JJ-K. After the end of WW II, MH603 was sold to the South African Air Force and flown from 1949 until its withdrawal in 1955. It was then sold as scrap. The remains were recovered in 1989 and followed a route through the UK and the USA, before finally ending up in Australia for restoration.

The latest Spitfire restoration is now for sale through Platinum Fighter Sales for a mere £ 3.5 Million.

Photo: Platinum Fighter Sales