The Spitfire Restoration Project celebrated the completion of the new roof for its restoration hangar at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (formerly AFB Swartkop) in a special ceremony on the 1st of July 2023. The event included a symbolic “roof wetting” by an SA Air Force fire truck.

The project aims to restore Spitfire 5518, which crashed during an air show in 2000, to its original display status. The restoration team, sponsors, and guests attended the ceremony, which also honoured four airmen associated with the project who recently passed away.

The next goal is to raise funds to complete the hangar so that restoration work can commence. The project estimates it will take approximately 15 years and tens of millions of rands to restore Spitfire 5518 to a flying condition.

The Spitfire Restoration Project requires skills from many services and if anyone wishes to get involved or contribute, they can contact Ian Grace: cell: 082 452 5291 or email: iang@xsinet.co.za.

To read more about the event, read the article written by Russell Dixon Paver in Pilot’s Post.