Spitfire Mk.IX BR601 at Lonestar

[RMAllnutt]

Anyone know what the plans are for the fuselage of Spitifre Mk.IX BR601 at the Lone Star Flight Museum? Does LSFM own this aircraft now?

Cheers,
Richard

[Scott Rose]

Any new info on this Spit?

[Mike]

I believe that it is now in New Zealand.

[mike furline]

This seems to indicate that it is in NZ. http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... fire-BR601

Another thread mentions in storage at AvSpecs. http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/9068

[PeterA]

NZ

[over/out]

I was at LoneStar before the Hurricane hit and saw the fuselage. Did it leave BEFORE the storm or did it ride it out? Just asking...thanks

[Ryan Harris]

It was definitely gone before the storm. TE392 of course rode the storm out and Nelson was doing repair work at one point, but that stopped a long time ago. Not sure of her status or plans now.

[mdharleydriver]

The Collings Foundation will be restoring her to airworthy statis. as per their recent newsletter.

[Triplane102]

I read where, before The Collings Foundation got it, the plan was to convert it to a Tr 2 Seater ! Still sounds like a Great Idea for them ! What's better than to offer rides in Bombers , & Fighters , for one, the option of going up in a Spitfire sounds VERY Inviting ! TallyHo!

[Warbirdnerd]

I read where, before The Collings Foundation got it, the plan was to convert it to a Tr 2 Seater ! Still sounds like a Great Idea for them ! What's better than to offer rides in Bombers , & Fighters , for one, the option of going up in a Spitfire sounds VERY Inviting ! TallyHo!

It will not happen until Father FAA opens up the History Flight Exemptions to Foreign built aircraft. The CAF lobbied to add the CASA (Ju-52) to the program, with no luck. Unable to sell rides on it, the CAF sold it to Jerry Yegan. The local CAF Wing has their Harvard for sale, because they want to use the funds to aquire a T-6 or SNJ. You can sell rides in both, but not in a Harvard...

[Triplane102]

Whaa...whaaaa.. Thanks for the info WBN, Good to know. I guess we'll at least have a correct restored Spit over here to admire, or, if it is converted, maybe they can still have something ALA Bill Greenwoods , I'm guessing someone can still fly in the back for free, like the T.20 SeaFurys around the U.S ? Let's see what the future holds...

[Bradburger]

I sure hope the Collings Foundation don't convert it to a two seater!

The reason being, BR601 (or what was left of it) is/was a very early MK.IX, and it would be nice to see it restored as it was in 1942, i.e, to an early modification state (as indicated the intention by the previous owners), which I seem to recall Peter Arnold mentioning elsewhere.

Seeing as parts from two other early MK.IXs are being rebuilt as two seaters in the UK & Australia (BS410/G-TCHI with Martin Phillips, and BS548 with Ross Pay), I would not like to see the opportunity for another early MK.IX and the chance for it to be restored 'as it was', being lost.

Cheers

Paul

[Ryan Harris]

The Foundation is not converting BR601 to a T.9. She is being restored to full stock as an early Spitfire IX. She has lots of combat history that will not be forgotten.

[Triplane102]

Thanks Ryan, again, good to know, and since she's at Biggin Hill, we know she'll be as authentic as possible. I also saw the fuselage at Lone Star before the storm hit, it looked in pretty good shape for being picked over. I think there's a pic. Of it in one of the old Warbirds Worldwide issues. Thanks again for the info. I'm sure the Spitfire experts have the markings of her to show us later.

[BenG]

The Collings Foundation will be restoring her to airworthy status as per their recent newsletter.

Is it possible to read online the newsletter please?