Australia’s First Two-Seat Supermarine Spitfire Takes Flight: BS548 Ready for Scone

For aviation enthusiasts in the Southern Hemisphere, the dream of soaring in the world’s most iconic fighter plane is about to become a reality. The successful maiden flight of Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX BS548 at Duxford marks the final chapter of a meticulous restoration and the beginning of a new era for Australian warbird history.

This isn’t just another restoration; it is the arrival of a rare “trainer” variant that will allow civilians to sit in the cockpit of a genuine combat veteran.

The Resurrection of BS548

The story of BS548 is one of survival and rebirth. Originally constructed in 1942 as an Mk. V and upgraded to Mk.IX standards by Rolls-Royce, this aircraft saw intense action over occupied Europe. It served with prestigious units including No. 340, 402, and 341 (Free French) Squadrons.

In April 1943, during a fierce engagement over France, the aircraft was shot down near Tancarville. For nearly seventy years, the remains of BS548 lay dormant in French soil until they were excavated in 2012.

The path from a buried wreck to a gleaming silver-and-camouflage masterpiece involved a “global village” of experts. The fuselage and wings were meticulously rebuilt by Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight, before the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) at Duxford performed the final fit-out.

Australia’s “First” and Only

While Australia is home to several airworthy single-seat Spitfires—notably those at the Temora Aviation Museum and Archerfield—it has never had a permanent two-seat resident.

BS548 has been converted using the sophisticated “Grace” style second cockpit. Unlike earlier “twin-bubble” conversions that altered the Spitfire’s sleek silhouette, the Grace configuration maintains the aircraft’s legendary lines while providing a fully functional second seat for a passenger.

Once the aircraft arrives at its new home with Pay’s Air Service and Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) in Scone, New South Wales, it will be the only Spitfire in the Southern Hemisphere offering commercial passenger flights. This provides a unique opportunity for Australians to experience the G-force and the distinctive “Merlin growl” firsthand.

The Test Flight: Perfection at Duxford

On the afternoon of January 28, experienced Spitfire pilot Martin Overall took BS548 into the air for a 13-minute maiden sortie. The flight included essential handling checks, stalls, and even a celebratory slow roll to prove the airframe’s agility remained intact after 83 years on the ground.

Two subsequent flights were completed the same day, with ground crews reporting zero technical issues. This successful testing phase is critical, as the aircraft must complete approximately five hours of flight time in the UK before being dismantled, crated, and shipped across the globe to Australia.

Why This Matters for Aviation Heritage

To call the Spitfire “just a plane” is an understatement. It is a symbol of resilience. During the darkest days of WWII, the Spitfire was the shield of the RAAF and the RAF.

Bringing a two-seater to Australia is about more than just tourism; it’s about education and tactile history. As Ross Pay, head of Pay’s Air Service, has noted in the past, keeping these machines flying is the ultimate tribute to the pilots who flew them in anger. By allowing people to sit in the back seat, the legacy of the “Spitfire pilot” is passed down to a new generation.

What’s Next for BS548?

Upon arrival in Scone, the VFR team—widely considered some of the best warbird mechanics in the world—will reassemble the aircraft. After a series of local test flights to satisfy Australian civil aviation requirements, BS548 will be cleared for passenger operations.

For those who have always wanted to know what it felt like to patrol the skies in 1943, the wait is almost over. The “Scone Spitfire” is coming home.

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