Spitfire Mk.Ia N3200 Flies!

[Bomber_12th]

Spitfire Mk.Ia N3200, assigned to 19 Squadron, Duxford, was shot down on May 26, 1940 over Dunkirk. The aircraft made a forced-landing by Sqd Ldr Geoffrey Stephenson on the beach at Sangatte during the Battle of France. There the aircraft remained until its recovery in the mid-1980's. Beginning restoration in 2007, through a combination rebuild by the ARCo (Aircraft Restoration Company) and HFL (Historic Flight Limited), the aircraft made its first post-restoration flight yesterday, restored to the exact configuration and paint scheme as the aircraft had in May 1940. Like the restoration of the Mk.I P9374 (which is also a Battle of France veteran, and was also shot down in May 1940), this aircraft joins it in having the early hand-pump landing gear system, propellers, and Merlin III engine of the early-mod Spitfire Mk.I - these two aircraft being very different than any other Spitfire flying, with obviously no expense spared.

Here is a news article with photos and more descriptions: http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/03/26/aviation-news-spitfire-mk-ia-n3200-flies/

More photos here and on the next page: http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?128152-Duxford-Diary-2014/page17

Not only is this a very rare and special aircraft, restored to absolute exacting standards, but what an amazing thing to see an original 19 Squadron vet operating from Duxford again! As of now, there are four airworthy Spitfire Mk.I's (and not to mention the BBMF's Mk.II), with more under restoration.

[srgalahad]

Rather pretty, wot?

[Allen]

The prop blades look so thin...

[huub vink]

Thanks for sharing this news John. I didn't realise the project was already this far.
(Time seems to go faster when you are getting older......)

Cheers,
Huub

[stansdds]

She looks absolutely stunning!