Ultimate Warbird Flights

Since 1985, Air Leasing has operated Spitfire Tr.IX ML407, better known as "The Grace Spitfire", and provided veterans and fortunate enthusiasts the chance to experience a flight. In 2016, the opportunity to purchase flight experiences in ML407 became a reality, and in 2018, Ultimate Warbird Flights was launched as Air Leasing's dedicated flight experience division, making these unforgettable warbird experiences accessible to the public.

On a glorious summer's day, I joined Ultimate Warbird Flights to witness the action first hand. Across the day, eight lucky passengers took to the skies in the Spitfire and Mustang, with several returning for a second flight in a different aircraft.

 A relatively new warbird on the UK circuit, "Jersey Jerk" has been based in the UK since 2024. Owned by Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd, she is operated by Air Leasing as part of the Ultimate Warbird Flight's fleet, and is a regular attendee at UK airshows, alongside the providing flight experiences.

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The aircraft was originally rebuilt to fly in Australia between 1995-2002 by then owner Ed Field. The basis of the restoration project was formed around the identity of an Australian-built Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Mustang Mk.21, with serial A68-110. 

CAC license-built P-51D Mustangs in Australia for service with the Royal Australian Air Force. There are very few differences between a North American-built and CAC-built Mustang; some cockpit switches are different, and most notably, CAC Mustang interiors were painted in a  brighter shade of green. A68-110 was in service until 1955 when she was struck off charge following a taxiing accident. Stripped for spares, the aircraft was sold for scrap in 1957. 

Ed Field's restoration was completed in January 2002, complete with jump seat and dual controls in the rear of the cockpit. Registered as VH-MFT, at this stage she was painted in Royal Australian Air Force markings, inside and out, to represent A68-769 “Snifter”.

In 2023, she was sold to Air Leasing and  shipped over to the UK. Prior to arriving, she was sold on to Fighter Aviation Engineering, but would remain in the care of Air Leasing. Since 2017, Air Leasing have restored, maintained, and operated the Fighter Aviation Engineering collection of warbirds.

Upon arrival, she was completely paint stripped to begin the transformation into "Jersey Jerk". These stunning markings are of the 356th Fighter Group, and specifically  the personal mount of Major Donald Strait, who flew 122 combat missions and scored 13.5 kills. 10.5 of these were scored in a P-51 Mustang. The markings were expectedly researched and applied by Steve Atkin of Warbird Colour, and to compliment this, the interior was repainted in the interior green used by North American built Mustangs.

Flying again in the UK in May 2024, Australian-based pilot Cameron Rolph-Smith undertook the test flight. He was athe last person to fly her in Australia so was well placed to ensure all was in order. Now firmly established on the UK circuit, she is perhaps the busiest Mustang here, undertaking regular passenger flight experiences and making airshow appearances. One things' for sure, she's the best looking Mustang!

Whilst many airworthy Mustangs fly with a jump seat, Jersey Jerk was restored with an Ezell Aviation conversion that adds a stick, throttle and propeller controls, pedals, and a basic four-pack instrument panel to the rear seat. This creates a full dual-control P-51D without the larger, separate, rear cockpit and enlarged canopy bubble of the TF-51 Mustang. 

Whilst any flight in a warbird is incredible, most Mustangs are equipped with just a jump seat and you enjoy the ride as a passenger but cannot see any instruments or take control. "Jersey Jerk" offers the full experience; you can monitor your speed, altitude and engine settings, plus see the pilots control inputs and throttle movements, not to mention take control of the aircraft yourself.

In addition to the rear controls and instrument panel, the pilot's seat is narrower and moved slightly forward to better accommodate the passenger and rear controls, making for a more comfortable fit in the back. The interior of Jersey Jerk has been painted in the correct green for a North American built P-51D Mustang, which instantly makes it feel as if you're stepping into a wartime Mustang.

To access the rear seat, the pilot's seat hinges forward, and as the Mustang has a solid floor, it is very easy to get in and out. Ultimate Warbird Flights position steps alongside the aircraft so you avoid the steep climb up the wing and don't have to worry about taking any misssteps on the wing area. You step onto the seat and lower yourself in. There is plenty of space for your legs even when the pilot's seat is returned to its upright position.

Comparing this to a standard jump seat equipped Mustang with no rear controls, I found I had more room for my legs to fit under and on either side of the central instrument panel. In the standard fit, my knees were tighter on the back of the pilot's seat. 

Jersey Jerk is the only UK-based Mustang available for flight experience with dual controls. It is also the lowest priced option for any dual control WW2 fighter experience flight in the UK, with flights starting at £2450.

Find out more and book your flight here: www.warbirdflights.co.uk/mustangflights

ML407 was built as a standard single-seat Spitfire MK.IX in 1944 and went on to have a distinguished service career in the later part of the war. Between April 1944 and April 1945 she flew 174 sorties with six squadrons of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, undertaking fighter patrols, dive-bombing, sweeps, rail interdiction, armed recce, shipping patrols, army support, leaflet dropping and bomber escort.  

Her most extensive service was with 485 (New Zealand) Squadron, and the first confirmed Allied aerial victory over the Normandy beachhead is accredited to Flying Officer Johnnie Houlton who was flying Spitfire ML407.  

ML407 Squadrons and markings:

• 29th April 1944 - Dec 1944: 485 (New Zealand) Sqn | OU-V | 139 sorties
• 28th Dec 1944 -3rd Jan 1945: 341 (Free French) Sqn | NL-D |3 sorties
• 4th Jan 1945 - 7th Feb 1945: 308 (Polish) Sqn | ZF-R | 2 sorties
• 8th - 22nd Feb 1945: 349 (Belgian) Sqn | GE-P | 10 sorties
• 28th Feb - 15th April 1945: 345 (Free French) Sqn | 2Y-A | 14 sorties
• 16th - 22nd April 1945: 332 (Norwegian) Sqn | AH-B | 5 sorties
• 22nd April 1945 - withdrawal | 485 (New Zealand) Sqn | OU-B

Following withdrawal from use in 1945, ML407 was stored for many years until 1951 when converted to two-seat trainer spec by Vickers for service with the Irish Air Corps.  At the time, the Irish were operating Seafires as land based fighters, and the two-seaters were intended as trainers. She flew with the Irish as "IAC 162" until 1960, when she was relegated to ground instructional use until placed into storage in 1962.

In 1968, she was sold into civilian hands, initially to Samuelson Films for use in the Battle of Britain film, which did not happen, and in 1970 on to William Roberts for the Strathallen Collection.

She was purchased by Nick Grace in 1979, comprising fuselage, wings and tail, but  stripped of internal fittings, plus the sale included a large number of spares, two zero timed Merlin engines and a propeller. So began a defining moment in ML407's history, her association with the Grace family.

The restoration included the fitting of additional fuel tanks in the wings to extend range, and a modification to the rear cockpit to replace the bulbous Vickers rear canopy. Nick Grace wanted to restore ML407 to the sleek lines of the original Spitfire, so along with and Dick Melton, devised a streamlined rear canopy to match the front canopy, and a glazed "tunnel" connecting the two. Known as the "Grace hood", this has been utilized by other restorations, and continues to be so today. 

Completed in 1985, Nick Grace undertook the first flight with his wife Carolyn in the rear seat, and had the aircraft painted in her wartime OU-V markings from 485 Sqn. Nick went on to display the aircraft for several years until losing his life in a car accident in 1988.

Carolyn chose to not just keep ML407 in the Grace family, but to learn to fly it, which she achieved in 1990. Throughout the 90s / 00s Carolyn was at the forefront of the UK display circuit, and ML407 was one of only a few two-seat Spitfires flying at that time. Many veterans were reunited with ML407, often taken aloft by Carolyn, and if someone said two-seat Spitfire, you'd instantly think of Carolyn and "The Grace Spitfire." In 2017, and having amassed 900 hours in Spitfires, Carolyn retired from flying. Sadly, she died in Australia in 2022.

ML407 is maintained and operated by the Grace family business, Air Leasing, and it was no surprise that Nick and Carolyn's son, Richard, who was just one year old when ML407 returned to flight, would become part of the family business. From a young age, Richard developed his knowledge and experience in engineering and then learned to fly, he first flew ML407 in 2007. Over the years he gained experience in airshow flying and went on to become a highly respected engineer and pilot of vintage aircraft. 

Following Carolyn's retirement, Air Leasing was managed by Richard, and it soon became one of the most prolific historic aircraft workshops in the world. Alongside his wife Daisy, Ultimate Warbird Flights was launched in 2018 as the dedicated flight experience division of Air Leasing, with ML407 providing experience flights alongside a two-seat Mustang and two-seat Buchon.

Tragically, Richard passed away in October 2024 following a staunch battle with illness. ML407 is a fitting legacy to the Nick, Carolyn, and Richard, and today Daisy ensures that she remains in the air as a tribute to both her wartime exploits and the Grace family legacy.

Intended as a dedicated two-seat trainer, the Spitfire Tr.IX has a full set of instruments and flight controls in the rear cockpit for an instructor. This is more than just a jump seat, it is a dedicated cockpit. The intention being the pupil is in the front, and the instructor can monitor from the rear.

The modification from single-seat to two-seat saw the cockpit moved forward 13.5 inches and a second cockpit added into the rear fuselage. The original design saw the rear seat positioned slightly higher with a bulbous blown canopy allowing the instructor to see forward, essentially in a completely separate cockpit.

ML407 was restored with the streamlined "Grace hood" rear canopy and glazed tunnel connecting the two cockpits. Unlike the original Vickers design, you can see straight through to the pilot. Although still further back than compared to a P-51 jump seat, you feel like you are sharing the cockpit much more than in a Vickers-style rear seat. I found it similar to sitting in the two-seat Hispano Buchon as you and the pilot are both within the same glazed canopy, and you have a forward diagonal view past the pilot's shoulders.

Climbing into a Spitfire is quite easy thanks to the hinged fuselage door. Convenient steps placed next to the cockpit make climbing in comfortable as you step into the aircraft, onto the seat and then lower yourself in. Spitfires do not have a solid floor, but there are runners that lead to the pedals where you can position your feet.

The patina, instruments, smell and the classic spade grip control column instantly set the scene of vintage flying. Comparing it to the rear seat of the Mustang and two-seat Hurricane, this feels the most like a fighter cockpit as you have everything there. You are positioned quite far back, so you have a perfect view of the complete wing when looking forward, and an unobscured view when looking down to the sides.

When returned to flight in 1988, there were perhaps 2 or 3 airworthy two-seaters. Fast-forward to 2026, and the number of newly built two-seat Spitfires is now higher than surviving Vickers built two-seaters! In a time where "new" two-seat Spitfires are appearing every year, the provenance of flying in a genuine Vickers built two-seater, and one with a wartime combat history, only grows stronger.  

Flights in ML407 start at £2975, which is at the lower end of the price range with UK operators.

Find out more and book your flight here: https://www.warbirdflights.co.uk/sfnew

 MH367 was built as a standard single-seat Mk.IX in 1943 and served with RAF 65, 229 and 312 (Czech) Sqns, and notably took part in Operation Market Garden.  She remained in service post-war until damaged in 1948 when with the Empire Central Flying School and was subsequently scrapped.

Fast forward several decades and US-based Peter Godfrey contracted Harry Stenger to obtain and complete a Spitfire restoration project. Ultimately, a new fuselage that had been built by Dick Melton in the UK was acquired, as well as parts from several other Spitfires. This included the recovered firewall and frame parts of MH367 that would form the identity of the aircraft, the removed and now surplus two-seat conversion parts from Mk.IX ML417 (which was restored back into single seat configuration in the 80s), and the wings from Mk.IX BR601.

The resurrected MH367’s first post-restoration flight took place in 2006, registered as N367MH and in the USAAF markings of Major Robert Levine's Mk.V ER570 of the 52nd Fighter Group. However, her time in the US was short as, by the end of 2007, she was sold to New Zealan-based Doug Brooker, becoming ZK-WDQ. In May 2008 she was repainted into the RAF 81 Sqn markings to represent the mount of New Zealand's highest scoring ace, Group Captain Colin Gray's Mk.IX EN250 / FL-A, albeit she carried MH367. She remained a popular aircraft in New Zealand and provided warbird experience flights for many years.

Since arriving in the UK she has been undergoing an extensive overhaul with many of her 80s era fittings being replaced and upgraded to modern standards. Now on the UK register as G-MHIX and undergoing a repaint, I look forward to seeing her in the air in the future.