Old warhorse tribute to flying ace
BY CHERIE HOWIE
SKY HIGH: This restored Mk IX Spitfire, pictured during a test flight last month, will make its public flying debut at the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka at Easter. The aircraft was restored by Brendon Deere, of Manawatu, in memory of his uncle, Alan Deere, a Spitfire ace in World War II.
The exhaustive rebuilding of an Mk IX Spitfire will pay off for both its proud owner and aviation enthusiasts when the aircraft makes its public debut at the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka this week.
Manawatu businessman Brendon Deere bought the 65-year-old aircraft five years ago and, with a team of helpers, set about rebuilding it.
The Spitfire took its first test flight just a few weeks ago, but Mr Deere is looking forward to sharing the aircraft with the public at the Easter airshow. The aircraft is the only Spitfire flying in New Zealand. "It's an important opportunity for people to see it."
The aircraft was a tribute to his uncle, top-scoring World War II fighter pilot and Spitfire ace Alan Deere.
The aircraft has been adorned with letter code AL and restored in the colour scheme of Mr Deere Sr's personal Mk IX Spitfire when he was wing leader at WWII airbase Biggin Hill.
While his uncle passed away in the 1980s, Mr Deere said he thought he would be pretty happy with the finished result.
"I think he'd be really chuffed."
The rebuilding had been a long process, and had its frustrations.
"You feel that way at different times every day; you have your highs and lows."
The Spitfire itself has had an interesting history, having been built at Castle Bromwich as part of an Air Ministry order for 1500 Spitfires.
It was shipped to Casablanca in October 1944 to join the RAF Mediterranean Air Force and later served in the Italian campaign and was involved in action over Yugoslavia.
After the war the Spitfire was used by the Italian Air Force before being sold to Israel and later Burma. It was grounded in 1956.
The Italian connection has not been lost on airshow organisers, with Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre trustee Graham Orphan among those excited by the link to the airshow's Italian theme.
Mr Orphan said it was also unique for a restored WWII fighter to be completed with such a direct link to the few who had made the Spitfire so famous in the first place.
"Al Deere wasn't just a hero for several generations of Kiwi kids, but (for) kids throughout the Commonwealth ... it is a story that should bring a lump to the throat of every Kiwi."
- The Marlborough Express
