Fourth Spitfire trainer airborne at Biggin Hill

Last Friday, 14 August 2020, the Warbird Experiences/Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar announced the first flight of Spitfire T.9 TE308 (G-AWGB) since its arrival there in November 2019. The fighters first flight from Biggin Hill was performed by Pete Kynsey. The new Spitfire will join three other two seat Spitfires MJ627, MJ772 and MT818 making Biggin Hill the destination of choice to enjoy a Spitfire flight (at least when you can spend GBP2,750).

TE308 (construction number CBAF-IX4494) was built at Castle Bromwich as a ‘low back’ Mk.IXe single seat Spitfire. Delivered in 1945, it never saw combat and ended up in storage where it remained until 1950. It was then acquired by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. and rebuilt as a T.9 two seat trainer. The trainer was flown by the Irish Air Corps, serial 163, until 1968. It was then used during the filming of the “Battle of Britain” movie with civilian registration G-AWGB. After the filming had ended, TE308 was sold to Canada and flew as CF-RAF until 1974. In 1973, CF-RAF was re-rebuilt as an original Mk.IX single seater. The fighter flew as N92477 until 1979, then became N308WK, and was again converted into a two seater. The last owner (1983-2018) of N308WK was William Greenwood who sold his Spitfire after two accidents. It was still under repair when obtained by Warbird Experiences/Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.

Unlike the other two seat Spitfires at Biggin Hill, TE308 has been finished as RAAF A58-606, an aircraft of 457 'Grey Nurse' Squadron. This machine was flown with code ZP-W by 457 Squadron Leader Bruce Watson.

Sources: Warbird Experiences/Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Geoff Goodall.com / photos: Flyaspitfire.com