This folder contains a repaint for the Spitfire Mk.IX by FlyingIron, in the colors of Spitfire IX PL344 YO-K. PL344 originally served with 602 Squadron, 442 Squadron and 401 Squadron during the war then 130 Squadron and finally No. 129 Squadron RAF before suffering a wheels-up landing in 1946. Rebuilt to airworthy condition in 1991 with the registration G-CCIX. Kermit Weeks acquired the Spitfire in 1992 and was rebuilt again to near-original condition. Completed in 2000 and registered as N644TB as a birthday gift for Tom Blair from his wife, Alice Blair, who bought it from Kermit Weeks. Airworthy until it was exported to the UK in 2007. Rebuilt for a third time including the fitting of fuel tanks in the wings before a post-rebuild first flight in 2007. Returned to America some time after, UK registration was cancelled in September 2020 with the reason listed by the CAA as "Exported to Australia" and registered in September 2021 as VH-IUK in Australia. After some time in preparation, the aircraft was repainted in its 401 Squadron markings of YO-K and flew in Australia on 11 June 2022. . Repaint by Jan Kees Blom.
Hi Jankees, the right-hand side squadron codes for this Spitfire (401 Sqd) should be YO*K, not K*YO (the restored example also has it correct as YO*K on the right side). On your other repaint of PL344, the right-hand side squadron codes should also be TL*B, not B*TL (they are the initials of its onetime owner, Tom L. Blair, when it was painted in that scheme).
11 months ago
Ha, serves me right for wanting to quickly finish things before leaving on holidays! Updates will be coming, but later...
11 months ago
jankees
Bomber12th