THE THRILLING PROSPECT of seeing a previously "extinct" mark of Supermarine Spitfire in the air will gladden the hearts of all enthusiasts as the winter nights draw in, following the reactivation of the UK registration G-FXII on September 12. The long-awaited rebuild of Spitfire Mk XII EN224 is being undertaken by Air Leasing Ltd, and it will fly from Bentwaters, Suffolk, upon completion. The overhaul of EN224's "short" Rolls-Royce Griffon engine is due to be completed in June 2012, and the wings are being reassembled following restoration. The tail section has been restored and awaits fitment when the fuselage restoration is complete. Component restoration is on schedule. Aeroplane will follow the progress of this exciting project. The Spitfire Mk XII was the first Rolls-Royce Griffon powered variant to see combat, and only 100 were built. The survivor, EN224, was assembled at High Post, Hampshire, in November 1942. Being only the fourth Mk XII built, it was retained by Supermarine and flown on handling trials by chief test pilot Geoffrey Quill, who later nominated the Mk XII prototype his favourite Spitfire.
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