AB910 - finishing line approaches...

BBMF have revealed their Mk VB Spitfire AB910 undergoing it's first engine run since undergoing it's major service which has been ongoing for the last couple of years now.

Image BBMF Facebook Page

AB910 has been repainted to represent the aircraft of F/Lt Tony Cooper of 64 Squadron and named "Peter John I" after Tony's son.

Regular readers may recall I had the pleasure of meeting Tony in Nov 2013. Tony allowed me to look at his Log Books, and as previously mentioned I happened on a photograph of F/Lt Cooper, sat in front of a Spitfire, with several other pilots at 53 OTU Kirton-in-Lindsay in February 1945.
Under the photo were the names of the other pilots and sat next to Tony was a S/Ldr Niven (OC) - turned out to be John Niven DFC*, the father of a close family friend.
John Niven also flew AB910 briefly - from his logbooks -

(Feb 19 1945 Spitfire VB AB910 Weather Test (15 mins) Operating from Hibaldstow)

He also flew ML407 -

(Aug 3 1944 Spitfire IXB ML407 Target Support Cover - 20000' Lille Ostend area covering 300 Halifaxes on Noball at Foret Le Nieppe. Very hazy. Bad for strafing. Little flak from St.Omer & Hesdin.).

"Tony Cooper's 99th birthday is imminent and we can't wait to get him to Duxford to see her!" 

I'm sure he will be impressed with the result!