The UK Civil Aviation Authority have issued P8331 with its new civilian registration: G-KOSC. This registration was chosen by the Spitfire P8331 Restoration Project Ltd as it pays homage to the pedigree of P8331’s 303 „Kosciuszko Squadron” history and her pilots flying from 13th May 1941 until her loss on 27th June 1941.
The journey started as an idea in October 2016, when Scott Booth our group founder was fortunate enough to take a flight in a two-seater Spitfire. Whilst waiting in the holding area, Scott spotted a magnificent coffee table made from an old Rolls Royce Griffon engine used in late Mark Spitfires. Having fulfilled a lifetime ambition and having seen this coffee table, the search began to find one for himself, an almost impossible task. In 2018 however, Scott found an original early Rolls Royce Merlin engine after a chance spot on the famous auction site Ebay.
However, once home and discovering the same Air Ministry Serial numbers all over the engine his curiosity got the better of Scott and he decided to find out more about this engine, the plane, and the men who flew it. This is where the story of Acting Wing Commander Piotr Łaguna and the brave pilots who flew in P8331 and Polish 303 Squadron (immortalised in the 2018 movie) took off from there.
As a MKIIb Spitfire, the aircraft becomes an extremely rare example as only 170 were made, with only one other known to exist, ironically sister Spitfire P8332 non flying. This now officially places P8331 onto the UK Aircraft Register.
In the last few weeks, the application to the UK Ministry of Defence has been submitted for the project to have permission to display P8331’s military markings. Similarly permission has been sought with the CAA to seek the exemption from displaying civilian markings also.
This is a significant milestone in the process of returning what will be a significant and unique historic tribute to the 18,000 Polish Air Force personnel, 303 Squadron, Anglo/Polish unity and finally as the only flying MKIIb Spitfire worldwide. This see’s 34 years of painstaking historical research and a collation of interviews, photographs, surviving wreckage and independent expert verification to gain this registration. Where possible any items that are deemed to be recoverable will be incorporated into an airworthy restoration. The restoration we hope to start in the next 6-12 month.
We are looking for Business leaders and Individuals who may be interested becoming serious partners of this unique and historic project to create a Polish Memorial Flight for future generations to enjoy and remember “The Few”
We would like to thank all those in and around the project who have persevered to reach this important step and encourage people to visit www.lagunasspitfirelegacy.org or our Facebook page by the same name for more information.
Portal British Poles is proud to announce that has become a Media Patron for the project.
Author: Scott Booth
