The Spitfire "Evelyn"
Whatever became of her ?
Many of us aircraft nuts who grew up in South Africa were enarmoured by Evelyn, the only airworthy Spitfire, lovingly restored at the SAAF museum in Lanseria.
We were all distraught when she was subsequently sold to a foreign collector.
I recently did an online search, and discovered her whereabouts:
Spitfire HF. IXe MA793, painted as "Evelyn" SA in the 1980s
This aircraft was produced at Castle Bromwich and was delivered to 6 MU RAF on 21 July 1943. It was shipped to the Mediterranean on 5 August 1943 and was operated by the Mediterranean Allied AF till it was transferred to the USAAF on 31 October 1943. It was returned to the RAF in May 1944 and stored with 39 MU in the UK till it was sold to the South African AF on September 30, 1948, serialled 5601.
It is currently on display at the "TAM Asas de Um Sonho" Museum, located in Sao Carlos, Brazil. It is also the only airworthy Spitfire in South America. The aircraft was donated to the museum by Rolls-Royce and painted in the colours and markings of RAF ace Johnnie Johnson.
About the restoration:
The Spitfire "WR RR" or known locally in SA as Evelyn....is not the original aircraft Bob Rogers flew in WW II
This aeroplane, historical as it is, was merely painted to resemble his Spitfire. It was not his original Spitfire they restored from the scrap heap and painted as WR RR. Evelyn was named after his wife. His actual Spitfire WR RR; was a clipped wing Spitfire MK9E, which he flew as 40 Sq OC in Italy. Bob's aircraft is often depicted as the aircraft above in models and aviation paintings, but the historical truth is that his original aircraft was a clipped-wing MK9E.
"Evelyn" today, in Brazil
Construction #: Unknown
Civil Registration: N930LB
Model: HF Mk. IXe
Name: None (Known as "Evelyn" In SA, Painted as above)
Status: Airworthy
Note:
Only Spitfire existing known to have flown with USAAF.
History:
Delivered to RAF as MA793, 19??.
- Assigned to 6 MU in July 1943.
Transferred to USAAF as MA793
- BOC: Oct. 31, 1943
- SOC: May 1944.
Delivered to South African Air Force 5601, Sept. 30, 1948.
Meerhof Hospital for Handicapped Children, Pretoria. Apr. 27, 1954-1967.
- Displayed in playground.
Larry Barnett & Alan Lurie, Johannesburg, 1967-1986.
- Rebuilt to flying condition.
- First flight Aug. 29, 1975, Johannesburg-Jan Smuts.
- Flown as SAAF PT672/WR-RR.
- Loaned to SAAF, Lanseria AB, 1976-1986.
Larry Barnett International California, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, July 14, 1986-1999.
- Shipped to Chino, CA, first flight Jan. 1, 1987.
- Operated by David G. Price/Museum Of Flying, Santa Monica, CA Aug. 1986-1999.
-- Flown as RAF/EN398/JE-J
Rolls Royce PLC, Filton, UK, 1999.
Transportes Aereos Regional- TAM/Wings Of Dreams Museum, Sao Carlos, Brazil, 1999-2002.
- Shipped to Brazil from Camarillo, CA, Jan. 2000.
- First flight, Jundai, Brazil, May 3, 2002.
- Flown as EN398-JE-J.
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I was at Lanseria Air Show in 1975 and '77. As I recall, the aircraft missed out on the '75 show due to an "incident" soon after first flight. However it was just fine in '77. Why on earth was it sold abroad?
ReplyDeleteThe aircraft on started flying in 1976
DeleteShe was the first Spitfire I saw flying, at Lanseria in 1977. I relocated to Brazil and many years later had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful bird both at Jundiai airport and then later at the São Carlos TAM museum. The ferry flight from Jundiai to São Carlos was the first and only (until now) flight that this plane did in Brazil (back in 2002) but she is kept in immaculate flying condition at the museum.
ReplyDeleteThis plane was restored at Atlas Aircraft Corporation - I would know, because I worked on it as an apprentice aircraft mechanic in 1976 / 1977 - I don't see that mentioned anywhere??
ReplyDeleteLike wise I was also at Atlas Aircraft and was involved with the installation of the VHF radio...I remember it well and also the maiden flight from Atlas...wonderful memories especially when you hear that motor running !!!
DeleteI was an Aircraft Radio Radar Trician appy from 1975 to 1977/8 at Atlas and was also involved in the radio restoration/installation. What a great time it was. I remember the first engine start and how all appies were gathered next to the metalwork ws to witness that V12 RR engine roar to life.
DeleteHi Ken. Gaan nou baie jare terug. Was ook daar. Hoender vel. Toe daai Rolls royce opstart. En hoe hulle gesukkel het met die briekke wat gebyt het. Toe sy uit taxi vir die toetsvlug.
DeleteHi Ken. Gaan nou baie jare terug. Was ook daar. Hoender vel. Toe daai Rolls royce opstart. En hoe hulle gesukkel het met die briekke wat gebyt het. Toe sy uit taxi vir die toetsvlug.
DeleteIt was assembled at Atlas - they we given the completed fuselage, wings, tail, engine, instrument, batteries, wiring harnesses, canopy and the list goes on and on. Atlas approached Larry to be part of the project and give there apprentices an exciting project to work on.
DeleteI was at Swartkop and Lanseria with national service at the time and saw her start up many times at airshows as we serviced her at events around the country 1980/1 and camps onwards. After the nose down in Margate the cowlings were rebuilt at Lanseria and helped by fabricating some of the bottom cowling braketry! We accompanied her to all events at airshows - just before takeoff we opened our overall zippers as she was revved up for taxi - standing behind and then being thrown elevated & backwards over the grass. Even today - Just thearing a Merlin - is an automatic nostalgy moment and frantic head turner!
DeleteI was well acquainted with this aircraft. Evelyn Barnett, Larry Barnett's wife, was my business partner. When Larry was getting too old to fly it he asked me if I would be interested in becoming the designated pilot. Before I could ever take my first flight the plane was dismantled and shipped to the US. I have some lovely photos of myself in the plane (on the ground, of course).
ReplyDeleteI was well acquainted with this aircraft. Evelyn Barnett, Larry Barnett's wife, was my business partner. When Larry was getting too old to fly it he asked me if I would be interested in becoming the designated pilot. Before I could ever take my first flight the plane was dismantled and shipped to the US. I have some lovely photos of myself in the plane (on the ground, of course).
ReplyDeleteI was well acquainted with this aircraft. Evelyn Barnett, Larry Barnett's wife, was my business partner. When Larry was getting too old to fly it he asked me if I would be interested in becoming the designated pilot. Before I could ever take my first flight the plane was dismantled and shipped to the US. I have some lovely photos of myself in the plane (on the ground, of course).
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to have witnessed the amount of care she receives in Brazil. She's not flying but is maintained in pristine shape and flying condition.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the museum has closed- any news about the fate of this Spitfire now?
ReplyDeleteFor now, it looks like the closing of the museum is temporary. They are working on getting an alternative location in the city of São Paulo, where the Brazilian Air Force has signaled willingness to donate the space they need to put the superb collection this museum holds. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI witnessed Evelyn doing a victory roll as she took off from Margate after an EAA weekend. It was whilst all the EAA members were in their Annual General meeting, so there were only a few people at the airport at the time. Larry had refused to do a roll at the airshow but did it when hardly anyone was there to see it. I also have four sequential photos of Evelyn as she crashed at Margate airport (I think a year or two after I saw her). Not much damage was done - the prop took the brunt of the crash.
ReplyDelete,,, when she nosed over on landing at Margate, it closed the runway for quite a while and I was flying one of approx 20x aircraft holding off the coast due to the incident. Eventually we were cleared to land OVER THE TAIL of the SPITFIRE .... I reckon not too many pilots around the world have landed Over the Tail of a crashed SPITFIRE! I wish I had footage of that! No Go Pro's in those days.
DeleteI see my name did not come up ...above comment by Tom Elliott,now Sydney Australia
DeleteAfter the crash at Margate, she was repaired and rebuilt at Margate. I was the Officer Commanding Oribi Commando based at Port Shepstone, one of My sergeant's a Sergeant Don Neville had been a member of the restoration team at Atlas Aircraft and we gladly offered his services to help with the repairs. Evelyn was repaired and when we started that Rolls Royce engine, Goose bumps (as mentioned elsewhere above) She flew out of Margate back to Pretoria and was sold off overseas. A sad loss for the country's aviation community.
Deletecomment above made by Lt .Col. Laurence Palmer DWD.
DeleteLast week it was announced that the whole museum's collection (including Evelyn) will be transferred to new installations to be built in São Paulo. Move to be completed sometime in 2019. When done, at least now that collection will be available to a local population of more than 20 million people. Museum's previous location (300 km from Sao Paulo) was way too far to attract enough visitors to maintain it. Fingers still crossed.
ReplyDeleteHere is a story about Evelyn. I was sitting on a grandstand at "The Kink" on the old Kyalami racetrack in the early 80's and saw Evelyn approaching. In front of me were some "Hell's Angels" with their girl-friends, Evelyn thundered right over us at what seemed like zero feet, the one girl-friend got a hell-of-a fright and cried out "what was that?" a Hell's Angel said "a Spitfire" "what is a Spitfire?" "a World War II fighter aircraft" was the answer, and then came the classic response "F**K he's only lost hey!"
ReplyDeleteEvelyn is currently stored at the now closed Museum in the city of Sao Carlos in Brazil. Negotiations are being made to transfer the museum's collection to new installations at the city of Sao Jose dos Campos.
ReplyDeleteI worked (with great pleasure) on the Spit from 1969 to 1972 included, Alan Lurie "hired"me.we were a small team and worked every Tuesdays and Thursdays night on our bird, it was great times, I still have my Diploma
ReplyDeleteCurrently Evelyn remains in storage at the closed museum in Brazil. Negotiations are ongoing but there is still no definition as to where or when the museum will reopen to the public. The good news is that she has been preserved in beautiful flying condition and protected from the elements. More to follow when new developments occur.
ReplyDeleteI filmed the accident at the Margate Airshow and handed it to the SABC office in Durban at the time, I am sure that they would still have the footage in their archives
ReplyDeleteLt. Col. Laurence Palmer DWD. I have a beautiful photograph of Evelyn in a full flight with a Harvard trainer on the right wing. I have had it restored and wish to put it up in our Regimental Mess. I would like to put a plaque on it but do not have the actual date of the Margate Accident. Can you please help me with this information, and possibly the name of the pilot. Thank you, regards.
ReplyDeleteMany, many years ago, I Photographed Evelyn extensively around 82, 83, 84 I think at Lanseria. Helped to give her 12 blades before a flight for open/family day. I had photos of me sitting on the engine with covers removed and also leaning up against a prop-blade. Lost all my pic's when I emigrated but the memories stay. I was part of a rare incident where Mk II Impala's attacked a mock target (diesel drums with small charges in them) and the Evelyn roared through the black smoke after at high speed. One of the most impressive things i've witnessed in my entire life!
ReplyDeleteGerard Appelman - 4Sqdn Lanseria 1981 - 1986
Does anyone remember a short documentary that SABC aired in 1979/80 telling the story and details of how Evelyn came to life again? Would love to see that footage again, if it still exists.
ReplyDeleteMy father in law delivered this aircraft to north africa after the war was over and we have his log book with the entry in. His name is Flt Lt Royston Poole and was acting Sqd Leader for 111 Sqd.
ReplyDeleteThe aircraft is painted in Johnnie Johnson's colours which is quite poignant as Roy was good friend of Johnnie's. One day we shall go and visit the Spitfire as out of more than 200 that Roy flew this is the only survivor.
The plane is in superb condition and airworthy. Unfortunately she hasn't flown since 2003 and the museum that houses her is currently closed to the public. There are plans to move the whole museum to a new location, probably in Sao Paulo, but lots of uncertainties at this moment. But it's comforting to know that the plane has been well kept all these years.
DeleteAlan Lury was the owner of this aircraft.. The engine actualy stood in my Dads garage in Valhalla Pretoria with some other parts including the prop..
ReplyDeleteMy father, Wing Commander Newton Harrison, did the tests on this aircraft after it was rebuilt. He absolutely loved it, brought back so many memories for him. He flew Spits in the 2nd WW, in Malta and later based in England, over Europe.
ReplyDeleteMy late father Bryan Hook also helped to rebuild Evelyn with Alan Lurie.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Evelyn listed now as JE-J
ReplyDeleteDoing a bit of internet searching, JE-J was the spitfire Johnny Johnstone flew
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Johnson_(RAF_officer)
This plane arrived at the current museum in Brazil from the USA already painted in Johnnie Johnson's markings. This is apparently a favourite marking because there are other Spitfires around the world in the same JE-J markings.
DeleteI was also at the Kyalami track when the Spitfire "Evelyn" put on a show. That Spitfire engine produces a powerful low frequency sound that is orgasmic to the ears! I have a mp3 file of a Spitfire low level flypast that I like to play at full-blast when no one is around.
ReplyDeleteThe new museum, housing Evelyn and a pretty good collection of other aircraft, reopened a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeletehttps://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museu_TAM?fbclid=IwY2xjawEyPh5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHafDBTxyk3P3JHFFV95lfPy7qqrVfPMtkSVm06CNdHY0Sd_9yeSBDZ8Dyw_aem_0SY2gzUyWmJgmCjXqvLXOQ