Update on the third Dutch Spitfire

Thanks to Ian Powell, we can show you the present status of the Dutch Spitfire, Mk. I P9372 (construction number 6S/30563). Ian recently visited the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar where this project is being rebuilt to airworthy condition. We at Scramble reported on this project on 16 December 2020.

Compared to the image of P9372 in December last year, the fuselage has been taken out of its jigs and the windshield and rear part of the canopy are in place. On the other image, the newly constructed wings can be seen.

The rebuilding of P9372 is said to be part of a package deal when Dutchman Frits van Eerd bought his Spitfire Mk.XVI TB885 (now PH-FVE) earlier from the BHHH.

P9372 was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf109 and crashed near East Guildeford, Rye on 9 September 1940. The wreckage (or what was left of it) was finally excavated from the crash site, and displayed at the Tonbridge Battle of Britain Museum. These parts were acquired by Peter R. Monk of the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Ltd and put on display in the hangar in 2016. The restoration project of P9372 was registered in the UK as G-CLIH on 5 August 2019.

Photos: Ian Powell