The extended ‘Major’ maintenance programme on BBMF Spitfire Mk Vb AB910, being carried out by the Spitfire Company at Biggin Hill, is nearing completion. All of the rectification work has now been completed, including replacement of the Spitfire’s ‘Frame 5’ with its ‘carry through’ spars (to which the wings are bolted), extensive work on the tail unit, some new wing skin panels and fabrication of a new fuel tank. The wings are now back on the aircraft and it is being reassembled.
The Spitfire should return to its home with the BBMF at Coningsby in the new year. The new paint scheme will see AB910 appearing exactly as she did on D-Day, 6th June 1944, whilst serving with 402 (City of Winnipeg) Squadron RCAF.
Everyone at the BBMF will be pleased to have Spitfire AB910 back home, not least the BBMF Visitor Centre guides who will, once again, be able to tell visitors on hangar tours the remarkable story of how, on 14th February 1945, AB910 flew with a WAAF on the tail.
