01.
— We Honour
We honour the history and legacy of those South Africans who gave their lives in the fight against tyranny in WW II, by restoring Spitfire DB-H 5518 to its original flying condition, as a symbol and tribute to this hard-fought-for FREEDOM.
02.
— We Preserve
Our Spitfire is a uniquely South African National Heritage asset – a Mk IXe, low back, clipped wing, tear-drop canopy with a Merlin 66 engine. We aim to preserve Spitfire 5518 for younger generations to enjoy.
03.
— We Educate
By engaging with retired aviation personnel we enable retired folk to teach and transfer their experience and skills to the younger generation. Young engineers and aviation technicians will benefit from the restoration process by gaining invaluable experience and skills transfer.
The history of Spitfire 5518
1945
Built at Castle Bromwich, England
TE213 was the 5556th Mk IX built, rolling out of Castle Bromwich in May 1945.
1947
Arrives in South Africa
On arrival in South Africa in August 1947, she was allocated the number 5518 and was one of a 137 aircraft purchased. She served with 1 and 2 Squadrons and later at the Operations School at Langebaanweg.
1955
Becomes a gate guard at AFB Waterkloof
After an eventful career which included a collision with another Spitfire and a drogue cable, she was taken out of service in 1954. In 1955 a decision was taken to erect a gate guard at AFB Waterkloof and 5518 was given a chance at surviving being scrapped. She was displayed at Waterkloof from 1955 to 1978 as 5518, W5851, and W5518.
1978
Restoration to airworthy condition begins
In November 1978 she was accorded her true value and removed from the pylons and taken to the SAAF Museum at Lanseria airport near Johannesburg for restoration to airworthy condition. The restoration which started in 1985, was performed by Atlas Aircraft Corporation, sponsored by Reutech.
1995
Spitfire 5553 takes to the sky
The first flight after her restoration took place in October 1995, painted as 5553 / AX-K, named Spirit of Reutech.
2000
Crash-landed at AFB Swartkop
On the 15th April 2000 at a SAAF Museum Flying Day, 5553 suffered an engine malfunction after a low level fly-past and had to make a forced landing short of the runway, where she went through a security wall, breaking up. 5553 was then put back into storage at the SAAF Museum where she would remain for the next 15 years. The pilot, Lt-Col Neil Thomas (OC SAAF Museum), escaped with minor injuries during an emergency forced landing.
2015
Restoration begins
In early 2015, it was decided that the SAAF Museum in conjunction with the Friends of the South African Air Force Museum (FSAAFM) would work on restoring 5518 to static condition, with the possibility of making her airworthy in the future.
The Early Years
This Spitfire MkIX, otherwise known as 5518, was built in the Castle Bromwich production line in May 1945 and originally designated TE213. She was the 5556th MkIX built and was fitted with a Merlin 70 powerplant.
TE 213 was put in storage and eventually sold to the SAAF in July 1947, and was eventually flown to Union via Egypt in mid-August where she was allocated serial 5518 at 15 Air Depot. Now 5518, she was transferred to 1 Air Depot in November.
5518 was allocated to 1 Squadron at A.F.S Waterkloof on 4th December 1948. 5518 was involved in a collision with another spitfire in June 1949 and sustained category 1 damage and returned to 15 Air Depot. After which 5518 returned to 7 Wing in early (January) 1951 and then being transferred to Air Operations School in April 1951. In September the same year, 5518 hit a drogue cable and sustained category 1 damage. Later in June 1953, 5518 was transferred back to 1 Squadron at A.F.S Swartkop and then back to 15 Air Depot in September for storage.
The SAAF retired the Spitfire MkIX in April 1954 and is was then decided to erect a Spitfire gate guardian at A.F.S Waterkloof. Spitfire 5518 was chosen after the removal of her Merlin engine and placed outside the administration block for the next 23 years.
Initial Restoration
In November 1978, 5518 was taken down and moved to the SAAF Museum's storage at Lanseria Airport where it was later decided to rebuild 5518 to airworthy condition and retain 5518 on the SAAF books.
Restoration progress was slow but steady, and eventually 5518 was handed over to Atlas Aviation/Denel for completion in November 1993. Restoration was completed in late September 1995, and 5518 was given the colours and designation of 5553 "AX-K", a former 1 Squadron Spitfire.
In early October 1995, now 5553, went on and completed its first post-restoration flight , but engine problems plagued the aircraft and she was grounded until the 10th April the following year. 5518 made its public appearance on 20 April 1996 at the SAAF Museum and joined the air show circuit for the next 4 years although plagued by engine troubles discovered in September 1998 and eventually an engine overhaul was conducted.
Spitfire of the SAAF in South Africa
Spitfire '5501' on display at the The Ditsong National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg
