Fly in a Spitfire TR 9 – ML295 (G-CLXB)
ML295 is a combat veteran Spitfire TR 9 conversion with an exceptional operational record, now flying again to give passengers a direct connection to its wartime past.
Specifications
ML295 was built for frontline combat. Beneath the paint and polish is a formidable machine with the speed, range and power to secure victory.
The history of the TR9 – ML295 (G-CLXB)
- Early 1944: ML295 was built at Castle Bromwich as airframe CBAF-8381
- 13 April 1944: Allocated to No. 39 Maintenance Unit at RAF Colerne
- Late April or May 1944: Assigned to No. 411 (Grizzly Bear) Squadron, 126 Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force
- 2 June 1944: First operational mission flown by pilot Thomas ‘Tommy’ Wheeler during a ‘Ramrod’ bomber escort over occupied France
- 22 June 1944: Relocated with 411 Squadron to Beny-sur-Mer, France, for low-visibility ‘Rhubard’ operations over enemy territory
- 30 July 1944: Final wartime mission flown by Flying Officer H W Kramer during a reconnaissance mission over Caen, hit by flak and crash landed
- 1989: Wreck of ML295 recovered by Jean-Pierre Benamou, who began restoration
- Post 1989: Later moved to Biggin Hill for further restoration and conversion to two-seat configuration
- 14 January 2022: Completed post-restoration maiden flight at Biggin Hill
- 2022 onwards: Now based at Leeds East (formerly RAF Church Fenton), flying with Spitfires.com in the North of England and Scotland
Spitfire ML295 completed 67 sorties in total between 2 June and 30 July 1944, including dogfights, dive bombing, train attacks and bomber escorts. It was flown by 11 pilots, 4 of whom were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Converting the Spitfire into a two-seater TR9
A handful of Spitfires were converted into two-seater trainer models during World War II. But most conversions were carried out as part of a postwar program:
- 1946: A Mk VIII was the first Vickers-built trainer built as a demonstrator
- 1948: 10 Spitfire TR 9s were exported to India, 3 to the Netherlands and one to Egypt
- 1951: 6 additional TR 9 trainers were converted from the standard Mk IX to train pilots for the Irish Air Corps (IAC)
The Spitfires provided transition training that included gunnery practice, since the type was equipped with four .303 Browning machine guns. Most TR 9 aircraft passed to the ground technical training school at Baldonnel where they were used as instructional airframes for the training of aircraft engineers for the Air Corps. Four of the IAC aircraft survived.
Spitfire Flight Reviews
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Where can I fly the Spitfire TR9 – ML295?
Each airfield from which you can fly the Spitfire TR 9 ML295 tells a unique story of Britain’s wartime history, with breathtaking views stretching to the horizon.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Hawarden
Leeds East
Perth
Book your Spitfire flight experience
Take to the skies in the ML295 and breathe life into this historic warbird one more time.
