RAAF
79 Squadron
January 12, 1944
Simon Thomas 2006
John Allan 2006
Zdenek Ondracek 2007
Zdenek Ondracek 2007
Pilot F/Sgt Dudley Albert Grinlington, 408842 (WIA)
Damaged January 12, 1944
Aircraft History
Built at Castle Bromwich, UK during 1942. Allocated RAF Serial Number JG891 before being delivered to the RAAF in April 1943. Assigned RAAF Serial Number A58-178. Assigned to 79 Squadron. NIcknamed "Tasmanian Devil" while in service with the squadron.
Mission History
While attempting to land at Kiriwina Airfield, this aircraft flipped on its back while attempting to land in wet and gusty conditions. F/Sgt Grinlington was slightly injured in the crash. After the crash, it was converted to components and abandoned.
Wreckage
Remained at the airfield until 1973.
Recovery
Recovered from Kiriwina Island by Monty Armstrong in 1973.
Restoration
Exported to New Zealand having been sold to Don Subritzki in 1975. Subritzky started a composite restoration to flying condition using parts from Spitfire A58-149.
Later, in 1999 it was sold to Karel Bos of Historic Flying Ltd in April 1999. Shipped to UK in July 1999 where restoration was completed.
Display
The aircraft is currently based at Duxford and owned by Tom Blair. Registered in the UK as G-LFVC.
The aircraft is restored with its original RAF Serial Number JG891. It is painted in the markings of T*B/JK879 as flown by F/Sgt John G 'Jack' Hughes, a RCAF pilot flying with 249 Squadron at Takali in Malta.
References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information
Kiwi Aircraft Images Spitfires
Brian's Spitfire Photographs
Airlines.net Photos of GH891
Spitfire
Photo Archive
