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[Peter R. Arnold photo]

Flight trials of G-AIST, the newly-restored Spitfire Mk. I and the only airworthy example of this mark in the world, continue.
I have already reported about its first post-restoration flight which took place on November 12th in High Wycombe. During recent weeks, the aircraft was flown again several times, including the depicted occasion on December 13th. Peter R. Arnold took these pictures on what he reported as “a cold but sunny day with long shadows and the sun behind. Perfect.”.

The restoration of G-AIST took four full years and comprised its backdating to the original Spitfire Mk. I configuration. The entire airframe was disassembled and re-built from the ground up. The most obvious external changes were the replacement of the propeller and exhaust stubs. This aircraft was previously flown with four-bladed propeller and six exhaust stubs which were incorrect for the Mk. I Spitfire. The propeller has now been replaced with the correct de Havilland three-blader, and the exhausts represent the original paired ejector units.

The aircraft is still in its etch primer finish, but it will probably be painted in its original wartime markings, AR213, when in service with No. 57 OTU in 1941.