Spitfire LF Mk IXc MJ755 Walkaround
MJ755 was built at the Castle Bromwich factory and first delivered to 43 Squadron RAF in August 1944, which was operating over Southern France. In 1947 it was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force, as part of a batch of 120 Spitfires.
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- 1. Img attr. HAF
The last of those Spitfires were retired in 1954 and were eventually scrapped, with only the MJ755 surviving. The plane was exhibited at the Athens War Museum, then moved to the Hellenic Air Force Museum in Tatoi Air Base, just outside Athens.
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- 1. Img attr. HAF
Amazingly, an agreement took place in 2018, following an agreement between HAF and “Icarus” foundation, resulting in transferring it to "The Spitfire Company Ltd", Biggin Hill, UK, where it underwent restoration and returned to flying status, something that proved smoother than expected, as the specific bird was one of the most complete in existence today!
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- 1. Img attr. HAF
Currently MJ755 is in flying status, proudly flying at many aviation events, as was the case in the Athens Flying Week event that took place in 114CW, Tanagra AFB last September. Since the plane was meticulously restored by The Spitfire Company, I thought it would be a good idea to take a few "walkaround" pics and share them with you.
Happy Modelling!
That's Beautiful, and nice to see one outside of the Royal Air Force in other markings.
Thank you for posting all the awesome detail photos these will definitely come in handy.
Thanks my friend @curtisshawk!
Thanks for posting these, Spiros @fiveten. One can never have enough of good visual Spitfire references. Any idea what those fairing/bumps in the roundel centers are on the wing bottom?
Thanks my friend @eb801! Don't know what those fairings are, looks like they are sort of bumps for the ejected chutes?
Beautiful pictures, Spiros, thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, my friend @chinesegeorge!
Thanks a lot for sharing this background information and the beautiful pictures, Spiros @fiveten
Very valuable.
Nice to see that a soft demarcation line is used on the camouflage.
Thanks my friend @johnb!
A real beauty! Thank you for posting these, Spiros.
Thanks so much, my friend @gwskat!
Thanks for sharing, Spiros. I’m going to finish one of my Eduard Spitfire Vc kits in Hellenic colors.
Thanks my friend @j-healy! Looking forward to your Greek Spitfire!
Thanks for posting these photos Spiros. While I have the Aero Detail volume for the Mk.1-5, your photos cleared up a number of questions that have arisen as I work my way through the Revell Mk.II and PCM Mk.IXc. One concerns the contoured landing gear doors. My LHS had a surrendered Quickboost set for which they were asking a ridiculously low amount. It got me wondering when the change from flat to contoured occurred. The sheet metal fairing of the carburetor intake overlapped onto the belly was another area that had me wondering as I assembled the Mk.II. That part of the process was already in the rear view mirror however , so I will try to remember it for next time.
Thanks my friend @russjurco! It really amazing how many small or not so small things one can observe by looking closely to a plane.
Great photos, Spiros! Thanks for posting.
Do I sense a Greek Spitfire Group build?
Looks like John Healy is already on board.
Thanks my friend @georgeswork! A Greek Spitfire GB sounds great to me! Let's see how things will go.
Good that they keep it flying. Hope they don't stress out the airframe with high g maneuvers (I would be tempted to if I were flying it) as their actual lifespan was measured in hours not years.
Thanks my friend @dbdlee! Let's hope so, the plane is supposed to perform low g "aerobatics", but you know how these things go...
I'm really impressed! Such a geat Spitfire!
Thanks my friend @lis!
That's a beauty. Good to see airworthy warbirds, keep them flying!
Thanks my friend @chasbunch!
Always nice to see a warbird back in the air. Nice detailed pics of the main gear and wells. Thanks Spiros @fiveten
Thanks my friend @beauslx!
Thanks for posting these, Spiros (@fiveten). I can certainly use them for an upcoming project. As others have said, it is really nice to see a Spit something other than British markings.
Thanks my friend @gblair!
@fiveten - Great reference photos Spiros!
Thanks my friend @brithebuilder!