Status: Under restoration
Specifications
Serial X4009
Construction Number 945 / 6S-74889
Type Fighter
Crew 1
Manufacturer Vickers Supermarine
Country United Kingdom
Service History
Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4009 was the aircraft of Flight Lieutenant Paterson ‘Pat’ Clarence Hughes DFC, Australia’s highest-scoring Battle of Britain ace. On 7 September 1940, the aircraft crashed after an engagement with a Luftwaffe Dornier Do 17 south-east of London and F/Lt Hughes was killed. Pat is credited with as many as 17 aerial victories during the aerial campaign of summer 1940, ranking him sixth in the “Ace of Aces” and making him the highest-scoring Australian of the battle. Ten of his victories were in X4009.
Restoration
The wreck of X4009 was acquired by Ross and Ann-Maree Pay and generously donated to Hunter Fighter Collection Incorporated. A substantial amount of material was recovered for restoration, making this an unusual and significant project. Initial restoration work commenced at Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight, UK, with a $150,000 Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grant from the Australian Government. The fuselage frame components and structural members have been manufactured. The wreck, amounting to nearly 500 kg including the engine, has been shipped to Scone. Full restoration to airworthy status will be undertaken by Vintage Fighter Restorations at Scone. Once completed, X4009 will serve as a perpetual flying memorial to Paterson Clarence Hughes DFC.