In 2019, an original 1943 Spitfire will attempt an around-the-world voyage passing some of the most famous landmarks on the planet, from West to East.
It's not often that you hear of a vintage World War Two warbird traveling to far-flung places around the globe, but one particular Spitfire is aiming to travel further than any before. The team behind the Boultbee Flight Academy have decided to take on the challenge despite the enormous task ahead.
2019 will be eighty years since R.J. Mitchell’s design first appeared in the skies above England. Way back then, it was almost inconceivable to imagine how far the Spitfire design would go, both technologically and geographically; 24 major variations appeared in countries as far apart as India, the Soviet Union, and Argentina. This mission will attempt to reconnect with almost all of the nations Spitfires touched on its 27,000-mile trip.
The Spitfire in question, MJ271, is a Mk.9 built in 1943. It served on 51 missions. The pilots will be Matt Jones and Steve Brooks, the founders of Boultbee.
But why attempt such an undertaking? The team says, in addition to showcasing engineering and a machine with a whole lot of historical significance, it's about exploration.
"In the great tradition of exploration, we seek to challenge ourselves by setting out to complete a trip that has never been attempted. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this iconic single-engined aircraft we hope to climb a pilot’s Everest."
The Silver Spitfire will visit twenty-six countries. These are the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the USA, Russia, Japan, China, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Malta, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and France.
Of course, on a journey like this, there is a need for a support aircraft. A modified Pilatus PC-12 (similar to the one pictured below) will be used to transport supplies, equipment, and the team around with the Silver Spitfire.
If you'd like to find out more, head over the Silver Spitfire website to view progress on the restoration, facts about the mission and the latest news.
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Article by James Whomsley
Editor of FliteTest.com
Contact: james@flitetest.com
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/projectairaviation
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