On Thursday 3rd October BBMF Spitfire PR Mk XIX PM631 flew again for the first time in three years, when OC BBMF, Squadron Leader Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden, conducted a partial post-maintenance air test on the aircraft.
The BBMF released a statement saying: “After an extensive Major maintenance programme and detailed safety assessment, Spitfire PM631 will take to the skies for the first time since 2021. PM631 is a later mark of Spitfire which is powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. Merlin powered Spitfires and Hurricanes remain on a flying pause whilst the investigation into the Spitfire accident continues.”
During the last 10 years, Spitfire PM631 has spent a cumulative total of eight years on the ground, for a variety of technical reasons. The recently completed Major maintenance programme took three years and was conducted in the BBMF hangar by the Flight’s own technicians. During the ‘Major’ PM631 was re-painted and now appears as she did at Biggin Hill on 11th July 1957 at the founding ceremony of the Historic Aircraft Flight, the predecessor of the BBMF, with an all-over ‘PR Blue’ scheme and a yellow propeller spinner.
The BBMF is delighted to have ‘PM’ back in the air, an important step in the graduated return to flying for the BBMF aircraft. The air test will be completed in the coming days, in addition to some currency flying for BBMF pilots.
(Photo: BBMF)
