Unique Mustang Helps Restore Iconic Spitfire

Unique Mustang Helps Restore Iconic Spitfire

Compiled by John Floyd

The last remaining Spitfire warplane in South Africa took a step closer to achieving its first flight after more than twenty years, following the purchase of a unique Mustang created between Vaughn Gittin’s authentic RTR Vehicles, Performance Centre, the South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum, and Friends of the SAAF.

During a handover event at the Swartkops airbase on 12 February, the excited new owners collected the keys to this one-of-a-kind Mustang and in the process made a valuable contribution to the overall restoration of Spitfire #5518. The Spitfire warplane was flown by the British Airforce and Allies during World War 2 and remained in service until the 1950s. The Spitfire’s elliptical wing design gave it a top speed of nearly 600km/h - higher than many other warplanes during the time.

This unique collaboration was formed with the sole purpose of converting ten standard 5.0L Mustangs into RTR Spec 5 wide body versions, each based on an accurate interpretationof South African aviation history. With every ‘Spitfire’ Mustang, Performance Centre will make a donation of R75 000 which will go towards the repair and restoration of this iconic Spitfire, which crashed at Swartkops airbase in the year 2000.

The first finished Mustang has already enabled the construction of a new hanger where work on Spitfire #5518 can begin. This includes placing the aircraft on a full-sized rig that was previously too large for the existing hangers at Swartkops airbase.

Through the Warriors of the Sky program, prospective customers can choose one of the listed South African airmen and their military aircraft as inspiration for their own unique Mustang. After this point Performance Centre, based in Centurion, will carry out the full list of upgrades.

Click on the newspaper below to read more (see page 24).