Video: The Step-by-Step Rebuild of a WWII Fighter Plane ‘Spitfire’

Few aircraft stir up as much recognition as the Spitfire. This World War II fighter plane earned its fame for its role in the skies during the war. Now, thanks to a team of dedicated enthusiasts, one special Spitfire—PT879—has been given a new lease on life. This is the story of its restoration, step-by-step, bringing a piece of history back into the sky.

Restoration Begins

Tucked away in a workshop, a group of aviation buffs set their sights on a grand project: restoring a Spitfire MK IX. This particular Spitfire, named PT879, was found in a less-than-glorious state, but that only fueled the team’s determination. PT879 was unique. It wasn’t flown by the British Royal Air Force, nor did it see action in Western Europe. Instead, this fighter was one of over 1,300 Spitfires sent to the Soviet Union to aid in their fight on the Eastern Front.

Decades had passed since PT879 tore through the sky. It was discovered in 1977 in Murmansk, Russia, a shell of its former glory. Negotiations and logistics followed until it made a triumphant return to Britain. Under a crusted layer of history, they saw potential where others saw scraps.

The Pilot’s Touch

Peter Teichman, owner-pilot and leader of the project, has a deep connection to the vintage warbird. He describes flying a Spitfire like an art, where with just the slightest input, the plane responds gracefully. Pilots say it’s an extension of themselves, creating a bond between man and machine rarely found in modern aviation.

A True World War Trophy

PT879’s tale is improbable. She’s the sole survivor of the fleet sent to the USSR that made it back to the country of her origin. Found in fragments on the sparse Russian tundra, it was by sheer luck that this Spitfire didn’t fade into oblivion as so many others did. After a harrowing conflict, she crashed, was discovered by a local, and eventually made her way home, carrying the weight our history.

The Hangar Effort

Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight took on the job of restoring PT879’s bones to their original strength—a painstaking process that stretched over three years. Workers sifted through parts, saving those that remembered the war. And when a part couldn’t be saved, they crafted new ones with unerring precision.

The Heritage Hangar’s part in PT879’s rebirth cannot be stressed enough. Here, where the cockpit once echoed with the urgency of battle, craftsmen delicately placed as many original pieces as possible. Each component told its own story of survival through turbulent times.

A Watch to Remember

Not only can fans of the Spitfire witness PT879 in flight, but they can also own a real slice of it. A sponsorship deal with REC Watches means a portion of PT879 is immortalized in a watch collection. Original parts of the plane find new life on people’s wrists, making history both touchable and timeless.

Aircraft Insights

The Spitfire, especially the MK IX variant, was a marvel of its day. It’s noted that when the Soviets received this plane, they were pleased. The Spitfire outperformed their own aircraft in significant ways, soaring to heights and with a rate of climb that the Soviet fighters couldn’t match. And despite being initially designed for low-altitude fights, PT879 adjusted to its role as a guardian angel over the city of Leningrad, keeping watch in the skies.

The Spitfire remained in Soviet service until 1951, outlasting other Western aircraft. It was both studied and respected, with the Soviets even adapting some Spitfires into training planes for their future aces. This adaptation, unknown to Western eyes for ages, speaks to the Spitfire’s versatility and enduring design.

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