RAAF
79 Squadron
November 1943
Via ADF Serials
Aircraft History
RAF serial number EE853, manufactured in 1942 by Westlands in the United Kingdom. A desert camouflage scheme was applied and the fighter was crated and shipped aboard the SS Sussex. Instead of the Mediterranean, it arrived at Adelaide and unloaded its crated Spitfires, including this one. Assigned RAAF Serial Number A58-146 in April 1943. Assigned to 79 Squadron, and painted in foliage green color.
Ferried to New Guinea via Milne Bay. Its tail was damaged by fire. Then, it operated from Vivigani Strip on Goodenough Island.
Wartime History
While piloted by Sgt Pilot Alec Chomley, experienced brake failure and ground looped this aircraft at Kiriwina Airfield on August 28, 1943. Converted to components, it was transported to Vivigani Airfield on March 19, 1944 but never repaired, instead abandoned.
Recovery
Recovered by Langdon Badger August 24-25, 1972 using local labor to the fuselage, wings and tail down to the port 11 miles away from the airfield.
A crate was constructed and additional Spitfire parts were recovered. The material was shipped to Adelaide, Australia.
Restoration
Restored to static, and displayed at Adelaide-Parafield. Additional parts came from farms near Oakey. Other bits from Merauke. The propeller and radiator fairing came from a crash site 40 miles south of Darwin. Also, some bits from Guy Black in the UK. A Merlin 46 of 1415 hp is used as it engine. Displayed as RAAF / Serial Number EE853 / Tail Code UP-O at Badger's home.
Display
In August 2001 the aircraft was put on display at South Australian Historical Aviation Museum, on loan from Langdon Badger, along with memorabilia displays to photographic records to personal accounts.
References
Flightpath Vol 17 No 4 "Badger's Spitfire" by Langdon Badger
Spitfire
