Warringah Radio Control
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(Incorporated under the Association Incorporation Act 1984)

 SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE Mk.VIII
Unquestionably the most important British fighter of World War II, and not inconsequently one of the most important piston-engined fighters of all time, Supermarine's immortal Spitfire came to life during the mid-1930s as a result of the successes the company had enjoyed in major air race events—most notably the Schneider Cup competitions of the 1920s and 1930s. The first Spitfire flew in 1936 and by the beginning of World War II the type was in limited production.
Early Spitfires met their match in the Me 109, and later, the Focke Wulf Fw 190, but steady improvements in the airframe and engine eventually created a fighter that was the equal of anything the Axis could throw into the sky.

VH-HET
Military S/N: A58-758
History

This Spitfire is the only flying Spitfire in Australia. The Spitfire Mk VIII is an all-metal, semi-monocoque construction with a canti-levered wing, fabric covered elevators and rudder and retractable landing gear. A total of 20,334 Spitfires were built before, during and after the war. 1652 Spitfire Mk VIII variants were built.
This aircraft was the last Spitfire acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It was built by Supermarine in England in 1944, test flown and then shipped to Australia. The Air Force took delivery of the aircraft in April 1945. With World War II drawing to a close, the aircraft was not required on active service and was place into storage.
After the war, the aircraft was used at Sydney Technical College as an instructional airframe. It was then acquired by Mr. Sid Marshall who stored it, disassembled, at Bankstown until 1982, Mr. Colin Pay of Scone obtained the Spitfire and began a detailed restoration program which was completed in 1985 when the aircraft flew again.
The aircraft is painted in the green and grey camouflage colours worn by the RAAF aircraft defending Darwin during World War II and in operations in the South West Pacific. The aircraft carries the markings of Wing Commander R.H. (Bobby) Gibbes.
David Lowy acquired the aircraft in May 2000 and donated it to the Temora Aviation Museum in July 2002. The aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition and regularly flown at Museum displays and airshows.
STATISTICS OF 
THE SPITFIRE Mk.VIII
Manufacturer:
Model:
Year:

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Wing Area:
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 Supermarine
Spitfire Mk.VIII
1944

36 ft 10 in  (11.23 m)
31 ft 3 1/2 in (9.54 m)
12 ft 7 3/4 in (3.85 m)
242 sq ft  (22.50 sq. m)
5,805 pounds   (2,633 kg)
8,021 pounds  (3,638 kg)
361 knots  416 mph 669 km/h
220 knots  253 mph  407 km/h
Rolls-Royce Merlin 70
1710 horsepower (1275.66 kW)

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