Historic Aircraft.qxp_GAB Master LEFT 08/04/2022 12:05 Page 2
Mission Status What do we do and why does it matter? Well, as I said above, we count ourselves very lucky indeed and we don’t forget that for a minute. Basically, we LOVE these aircraft! We are passionate about them, and in doing a good job in every aspect of being in, near and around them. And that’s important; aviation is something you either kinda just like, or you totally breath. We’re the latter. And that means we ‘want to serve’ both the industry and our customers. We want to keep the industry alive and well, and to keep people flying and happy. It’s important to us that legacy finds its way and that these wonderful Warbirds and Vintage masterpieces are kept flying. So, to answer the first question, “What do we do?” the answer is: “Everything we can”. Even down to our specifications, we love to do the research and include details about the history of the aircraft (which is often a wonderful journey of discovery and an interesting fact-finding mission). Our services include contract writing (happy to provide a contract and all supporting steps or work directly with lawyers and finance companies), we’re experienced in dealing with UK and foreign escrow companies. We have a huge amount of experience in shipping aircraft and working with everyone from foreign Civil Aviation Authorities to the people at the shipping port authorities. Ultimately, you can’t buy experience, but you can choose to work with people who have it. So, if you need anything at all, even just down to some advice, please get in touch. And, in particular, if you have an aircraft to sell or an appetite or interest to purchase and operate anything vintage or Warbird era, please give us a chance, we would love to work with you.
PHOTO © DARREN HARBAR
The Grace Spitfire ‘ML407’ Having already covered the background story behind the magnificent Mk. IX Spitfire in a previous article (see ‘MH415’ in the October ’21 issue), I wanted to highlight another particularly wonderful example; the two-seat ‘Grace Spitfire’, and offer just a snapshot of its impressive wartime history: ‘ML407’ rolled off the production line at Castle Bromwich in early 1944 and found active service flying some 176 combat missions (accruing some 320 combat hours!) through the last twelve months of World War II. In April 1944, ‘ML407’ was delivered to 485 New Zealand Squadron by Jackie Moggridge (one of the top female pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary), where it was handed over to Flying Officer Johnnie Houlton DFC who was accredited, while flying ‘ML407’, with the first enemy aircraft shot down over the Normandy beach head on 6th June 1944 (D-Day!). ‘ML407’ was transferred to 341 Free French Squadron to Sergeant Jean Dabos in December 1944. Thereafter it moved on through a number of Allied Squadrons including: 308 (Polish), 349 (Belgian), 345 (Free French), 332 (Norwegian) and back to 485 (New Zealand) Squadron at the cessation of hostilities. ‘ML407’ didn’t retire but found a quieter life at an RAF Maintenance Unit where it remained until being selected by Vickers-Armstrongs at Eastleigh, Southampton for conversion in 1950 to the two-seat configuration for the Irish Air Corps as an advanced fighter trainer. ‘ML407’ is maintained to the highest possible standard and is not just an exceptional example of the type, but is an iconic example of an iconic aircraft! You’ll notice it is sporting the rear-seat ‘Grace Canopy’ which is the more streamlined version of the rear bubble design. This was designed by Richard’s father Nick Grace who restored the aircraft himself between 1979 and 1985.
PHOTO © DARREN HARBAR
PHOTO © XAVIER MEAL
The aircraft is available to experience yourself both inside and outside! ‘ML407’ can be spotted at many airshows around the UK and as part of the already mentioned four-ship display team ‘The Ultimate Fighters Display Team’ (the fourth aircraft by the way is the mighty P47 Thunderbolt… look out for an upcoming article about that amazing aircraft soon!) And if you fancy seeing, feeling, smelling and ‘breathing’ it from the inside, then you can do that too! You can take a flight at the controls yourself in an airborne experience flight via warbirdflights.co.uk For more information on….. Buying / Selling / Advice on Vintage and Warbird aircraft: www.TASCVINTAGE.com Vintage and Warbird aircraft maintenance: www.AirLeasing.co.uk Flying in a Warbird: www.warbirdflights.co.uk The Ultimate Warbird Fighters Display Team: www.warbirdflights.co.uk/ultimatefighter
WIR SPRECHEN DEUTSCH - ASTRID AYLING: +44 (0)208 549 5024 - Astrid@avbuyer.com
MAY 2022 HISTORIC AIRCRAFT EUROPE 29
