Historic Spitfire WW II fighter to return to Greece in flying condition (vid)
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
The final stage in the process of rebuilding and restoration of the legendary Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Supermarine Spitfire, numbered "MJ-755" was announced by the HAF General Staff, as a sort of "bonanza" to its many friends in Greece.
It should be noted that the relevant contract has already been signed by the HAF with the IKAROS Public Benefit Foundation, which has exclusively undertaken the reconstruction and restoration of the aircraft at its own expense.
The aircraft was transported by the IKAROS Foundation to the premises of the Spitfire Special Aircraft Maintenance - Reconstruction Center "The Spitfire Company Ltd" in Biggin Hill, UK, where it has been operating since April 2018.
According to the Vice President of the "IKAROS" Foundation Dimitris Kolias, most of the restoration work has been completed and the plane is expected to enter the testing phase in the next few days.
It is worth noting that Biggin Hill where aircraft maintenance was carried out, during World War II, and in particular during the famous "Battle of England" (1940), was the RAF's main air base from which RAF Fighter Command operated.
As it was reported by HAF, "It is estimated that the UK Civil Aviation Authority will grant a flight permit in the first quarter of 2020 so it can arrive in Greece."
