Spitfire restoration plans at Biggin Hill

摘要

The Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd will spend the winter working on several restoration projects at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar (BHHH). Spitfire IX LZ842 is likely to be the first to emerge, with much of the work already complete. The arrival of engine bearer parts in July 2015 enabled staff to fit the aircraft's Rolls-Royce Merlin X powerplant. A first test flight could take place as early as the summer of 2016. Built at Castle Bromwich, LZ842 joined 93 Sguadron and served in Malta and Sicily. It also flew with 232 and 327 Squadrons before sustaining damage in an accident. It returned to the UK and was sold to the South African Air Force (SAAF) after a considerable time in storage. From 1948 until 1952 it flew with several units before being earmarked for disposal. The fighter's remains were brought back to the UK, passing through the hands of several private owners, before being acquired by the Spitfire Company in 2009.