The beautiful sight of Spitfire Mk I X4650/G-CGUK as it takes to the air at Biggin Hill at 13.00hrs on March 9, wearing its original late-1940 54 Sqn markings. It was struck off charge on January 4, 1941, following an accident during a practice dogfight over North Yorkshire seven days earlier.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk I X4650 made its first post-restoration flight at Biggin Hill, Kent, on March 9, with well-known display and Red Bull racing pilot Paul Bonhomme at the controls. Restored by The Spitfire Company (TSC) at Biggin Hill for owners Dan and Tom Friedkin of Chino, California, USA, the fighter performed flawlessly during the 35min flight, and was due to begin a full test flight programme on March 16.

The following day, Spitfire XVI TE184/G-MKVI (see “Booker’s Beauties”, March 2011 Aeroplane) arrived at Biggin Hill from Bremgarten, south-west Germany, where it had been resident with Meier Motors for the past year. Owned by Stephen Stead, it will now be based alongside the burgeoning Spitfire fleet in the TSC hangar.