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Spitfire TA805 'Spirit Of Kent'
Aircraft
Supermarine Spitfire IX
Year
1945
Serial No
TA805
Restoration
The surviving remains of TA805 returned to the Uk in the late 1980s, where they remained in storage until 1996, when the aircraft was acquired by Peter Monk and a full restoration commenced at Airframe Assemblies at Sandown Airport on the Isle of Wight.
In the early 2000s, the completed airframe and restored components were transported to Duxford for final assembly, systems installation and testing. Wearing the distinctive markings of 234 Squadron, TA805 returned to the skies for the first time in December 2005, marking the successful completion of an extraordinary restoration.
Today, TA805 is based here at The Spitfire Company Biggin Hill in Kent, where she flies often taking part in airshows and flypasts.
History:
Built as a Supermarine Spitfire Mk LF IX at the Castle Bromwich factory in the West Midlands during the final months of the Second World War, Spitfire TA805 entered RAF service with No.39 Maintenance Unit in December 1944.
In June 1945, TA805 joined No.183 (Gold Coast) Squadron, which was converting from the Hawker Typhoon to the Spitfire Mk IX. The squadron later returned to RAF Bentwaters as part of a 24 Squadron Wing led by the renowned Battle of Britain ace and test pilot Wing Commander Roland P. Beamont DSO & Bar, DFC. It is believed that TA805 may have taken part in the 1945 Battle of Britain Commenoration Flight over London.
Following its RAF service, TA805 was transferred to the South African Air Force in March 1949. After several years in service, it was sent for scrapping in 1954, but remarkably survived and eventually became part of the SAAF museum collection.
