Historic Flying Limited

Historic Flying Limited [1] is a British company that specialises in the restoration and new-build of Supermarine Spitfires. It is based at the former RAF Duxford.

Spitfire Mk IX MJ271 - (G-IRTY) 'The Silver Spitfire' was fully rebuilt by Historic Flying Limited in 2019.
Spitfire Tr.9 NH341 was restored by Historic Flying Limited in 2017
Spitfire Tr.9 PV202 (G-CCCA) restored by Historic Flying Limited in 2005 and now operated by Aerial Collective Duxford.
The most authentic Mk Ia Spitfire airworthy today, restored to flight by Historic Flying Limited in 2012.

The company was founded in the late 1980s to restore five Spitfires to flying condition; these had been "gate guardians" at Royal Air Force stations.

Over 20 Spitfires have been built from scratch - using salvaged parts where available - or restored. This is said to be a third of the Spitfires that are now airworthy.

The Company now forms part of the Aircraft Restoration Company, along with Aerial Collective Duxford.[2]

Historic Flying Limited have returned the following aircraft to the air:

  • Spitfire Mk XVI RW382. Full rebuild completed in 1991.
  • Spitfire Mk IX TE566. Full rebuild completed in 1992.
  • Spitfire Mk XVIII TP280. Full rebuild completed in 1992.
  • Spitfire Mk XVI TD248. Full rebuild completed in 1992.
  • P-51 Mustang 'Short Fuse Sallee'. Post fire restoration completed in 1994.
  • Spitfire Mk XIV NH799. Full rebuild completed in 1994.
  • Spitfire Mk XIV SM832. Full rebuild completed in 1995.
  • Spitfire Mk Vb EP120. Full rebuild completed in 1995.
  • Spitfire Mk Vc AR614. Full rebuild completed in 1996.
  • Spitfire Mk Vb AB910. Major overhaul completed in 1997.
  • Spitfire Mk XIX PM631. Major overhaul completed in 1997.
  • Spitfire Mk Vb BM597. Full rebuild completed in 1997.
  • Hurricane IIc LF363. Full rebuild completed in 1998.
  • Spitfire Mk XVIII SM845. Full rebuild completed in 2000.
  • Spitfire Mk IX MK912. Full rebuild completed in 2000.
  • Spitfire Mk XIV RN201. Full rebuild completed in 2002.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 IAC-161 / PV202. Full rebuild completed in 2005.
  • Spitfire Mk XVI RW386. Full rebuild completed in 2006.
  • Spitfire Mk Vc JG891. Full rebuild completed in 2006.
  • Spitfire Mk IX PL344. Major overhaul completed in 2007.
  • Spitfire Mk IXe SL633. Full rebuild completed in 2010.
  • Spitfire Mk Ia P9374. Full rebuild completed in 2012.
  • Spitfire Mk XIX PS853. Major overhaul completed in 2012.
  • Spitfire Mk Ia N3200. Full rebuild completed in 2014.
  • Spitfire Mk XVIII SM845. Major overhaul completed in 2014.
  • Spitfire Mk XIX PS915. Major overhaul completed in 2016.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 NH341. Full rebuild and type conversion completed in 2017.
  • Spitfire PR Mk XI PL983. Full rebuild completed in 2018.
  • Spitfire Mk IX MJ271 'The Silver Spitfire'. Full rebuild completed in 2019.[3]
  • Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS890. On going full rebuild, expected to be completed in 2020.[4]

NHS Spitfire Project
The 'THANK U NHS' Spitfire flew a number of flight routes over NHS & HSC Hospitals in 2020.

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Aircraft Restoration Company painted the words 'THANK U NHS' on the underside of their Spitfire PR Mk XI PL983. Over the course 4 months the Spitfire completed a number of flight routes, flying over 250 NHS and HSC sites across the United Kingdom in an effort to thank Medical & Health workers for their on-going fight against the virus. Simultaneously, the general public were able to donate money to 'The NHS Spitfire' project, with a nominated name from each donation being hand-written onto the Spitfire. As of January 2021, the project has raised over £130,000.00, with all funds going to NHS Charities Together.[5][6][7]

References
  1. "Historic Flying Ltd". Aircraft Restoration Company. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  2. "The Aircraft Restoration Company". Aircraft Restoration Company. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. Davies, Gareth; Kelly, Guy (5 December 2019). "Silver Spitfire lands back in Britain after 27,000 mile, four-month world tour". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. News, Filed under; Restorations. "Spitfire PR.XIX PS890 to fly again in 2019 following post-accident restoration". World Warbird News. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  5. "NHS Spitfire tours south of England hospitals". BBC News. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  6. "Signed Spitfire scrambles to lift nations spirits". Royal Aeronautical Society. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  7. "The NHS Spitfire Project". Points of Light. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
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