Spitfire Mk IX TA805 G-PMNF

Built at the Supermarine works at Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands, Spitfire TA805 started it’s career with the RAF at 29 Maintenance Unit in December 1944. A late build Mk IX it joined 183 (Gold Coast) Squadron based at Chilbolton in June 1945 for a short period before being transferred to 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron at Bentwaters in Suffolk on the 27th July. With the cessation of war, 234 Squadron were to part of a wing of 24 Squadrons led by Battle of Britain ace and test pilot Wg Cdr Roland P Beaumont DSO and Bar DFC.

In late 1948, TA805 was acquired by the South African Air Force (SAAF), and in 1954 it was sold as scrap to the South African Metal and Machinery Company at Salt River, Cape Town. In 1981 the remains of several Spitfires were recovered from the scrap yard by a party from the SAAF Museum and placed in storage at Snake Valley. A number of these aircraft were acquired by Spitfire restorer Steve Atkins, and transported to his store in Southern England in 1989, from where TA805 was purchased in April 1996.

Following partial restoration at Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight, it was moved in March 2003 to the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford for completion to airworthiness. Assembly, fitting-out, systems and engine installation were carried out as well as the paint scheme and markings. The machine is back in the markings it wore when delivered to 234 Squadron at RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk in August 1945. TA805 took to the skies once again in December 2005.

The aircraft, currently based at Biggin Hill and known as the ‘Kent Spitfire’, can be seen flying all over Kent at various functions and shows.