Temora Aviation Museum

Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII

Rego: VH-HET Military S/N: A58-758

History

This Spitfire is one of two flying Spitfire's in Australia both of which are here at Temora Aviation Museum.

The Spitfire Mk VIII is an all-metal, semi-monocoque construction with a canti-levered wing, fabric covered elevators and rudder and retractable landing gear. A total of 20,334 Spitfires were built before, during and after the war with a total of 1652 Spitfire Mk VIII variants were built.

This aircraft was the last Spitfire acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It was built by Supermarine in England in 1944, test flown and then shipped to Australia. The Air Force took delivery of the aircraft in April 1945. with World War II drawing to a close, the aircraft was not required on active service and was placed into storage.

After the war, the aircraft was used at Sydney Technical College as an instructional airframe. It was then acquired by Mr. Sid Marshall who stored it, disassembled, at Bankstown until 1982. Mr. Colin Pay of Scone obtained the Spitfire and began a detailed restoration program which was completed in 1985 when the aircraft flew again.

The aircraft is painted in the green and grey camouflage colours worn by the RAAF aircraft defending Darwin during World War II and in operations in the South West Pacific. The aircraft carries the markings of Wing Commander R.H. (Bobby) Gibbes OAM DSO DFC*.

David Lowy acquired the aircraft in May 2000 and donated it to the Temora Aviation Museum in July 2002. The aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition and regularly flown at Museum displays and airshows.

Specifications

Engine

Rolls-Royce Merlin 70
1710 horsepower (1275.66 kW)
27 Litre liquid cooled V-12 piston engine equipped with a two speed, two-stage supercharger.

Propeller

Rotol Constant Speed
10'9" diameter (3.22m)
An engine driven propeller governor hydraulically controls four wooden blades.