27/09/2026
Spitfire Restoration Update -
Earlier this week, we reached a major milestone in our Spitfire restoration project — Spitfire Mk I X4276.
The week began with lifting the fuselage off the ground and placing jacks beneath the jacking pads on Frame 5. The tail was then raised onto a trestle, ensuring the fuselage was perfectly level before the wings were fitted.
With the fuselage level and the tail securely supported, we carried out a final inspection of the wing spars and the carry-through spar on the frame, checking that everything was as it should be. Lubrication was also applied to these areas to assist with slotting the wings into position.
With the team on hand to carefully guide the wing into place, we started with the starboard wing. Using an A-frame crane, we slowly hoisted the wing and manoeuvred it into position, carefully aligning the wing spars with the carry-through spar.
At this stage, precision is crucial. The holes in the wing spar and carry-through spar must line up perfectly to allow the wing spar bolts to be fitted. After some careful adjustment, the wing was successfully eased into position.
Temporary bolts were then fitted to hold the wing in place, allowing precise setting of wing dihedral. Once everything was correctly aligned, the single bolt securing the rear spar to the fuselage was fitted, followed by reaming and permanently fitting bolts through Frame 5.
The entire process was then repeated for the port wing. Each wing is secured by eight bolts — seven bolts through Frame 5 and one bolt into Frame 10.
This is a major milestone in the restoration of X4276. From this point onwards, over the coming months, we will see the Spitfire really begin to come together, bringing us one step closer, week by week, to its first flight.
Keep an eye on this page for further updates.
Until next time.
