Spitfire cleared to take to the skies after refurb

The PM631 Spitfire was designed as a high altitude photo reconnaissance aircraft

A World War Two fighter plane not flown since 2021 will soon take to the skies once again.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) confirmed on social media its Spitfire PM631 had been cleared for displays following "an extensive major maintenance programme and detailed safety assessment".

PM631 is powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. Meanwhile, the BBMF said its Spitfires with Merlin engines remained grounded following the death of Sqn Ldr Mark Long in a plane crash on 25 May.

The cause of the crash is not yet known, but the Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) has been examining the site and wreckage.

Since May, other Merlin-engined planes operated by the BBMF have remained in their hangars as investigators continue to probe the cause of the crash.

In July, a Lancaster Bomber, one of only two flying examples in the world, which has four Merlin engines, was also cleared by the BBMF to fly, after "extensive pre-planned depth maintenance activity", which included the "manufacture and replacement of the entire tail plane".

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