The resurrection of a legend: The “Greek” Spitfire LF Mk IXc MJ755 is getting ready to scramble!
By Pierre Kosmidis
Photos submitted to www.ww2wrecks.com by Kostas Tsipas and used by permission
A legendary aircraft, one of the most iconic WW2 fighters, a Spitfire, is currently under extensive restoration, with the aim to bring it back into the skies, possibly in 2020.
Spitfire LF Mk IXc MJ755 was built at the Castle Bromwich factory and delivered to No. 43 Squadron RAF in August 1944, which was operating over Southern France.
In 1947 MJ755 was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force, along with 120 other Spitfires and used by the RHAF 335, 336 and 337 squadrons.
The last of those Spitfires were on duty up until 1954, mainly in training and photo reconnaissance and with the passing of time, just one, the MJ755 survived the scrapyards and was later exhibited at the Hellenic Air Force Museum.
In March 2018, following an agreement between the Hellenic Air Force General Staff and the privately funded “Icarus” foundation Spitfire MJ755 was moved to «The Spitfire Company Ltd» at Biggin Hill in the UK in order to undergo a rivet by rivet extensive restoration and make it airworthy once again and let it roam the skies, reminding everyone about the pivotal role these aircraft played during WW2.
Aviation enthusiast Mr. Kostas Tsipas visited the hangar where the restoration project is currently in full swing and via www.ww2wrecks.com offers us a glimpse into the painstaking process the specialists at Biggin Hill are following, in order to restore every bolt, panel and instrument of the Spitfire.
Mr. Kostas Tsipas said to www.ww2wrecks.com:
“Τhe “Spit” is the most complete they ever had to restore, hence it will take two rather than four years to complete.”
“Every panel joint frame piece been taken apart, and getting tested prior to be re-applied to the frame for airworthiness, otherwise is not going on.”
They are doing a great job!”
The thickness of the aluminium in most parts is approximately 1.5 mm.
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