A 100 Squadron Spitfire landing at Avalon during an earlier airshow. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
It’s been 80 years since John McDonald sat in the cockpit of a Spitfire.
He had a reunion, of sorts, at the 2025 Australian International Airshow at Avalon, Victoria, in the last week of March.
Warrant Officer (retd) McDonald, 100, was given the chance to sit in the cockpit of a Supermarine Spitfire on the tarmac of Avalon Airport.
The aircraft is part of the Royal Australian Air Force’s 100 Squadron, a fleet of historic aircraft that the RAAF used that dates back to before WWII.
McDonald flew a Spitfire over Europe in WWII and his last mission involved bomber escort.
Until March, that was the last time John had sat in a Spitfire cockpit.
Flight Lieutenant ‘JB’ (name withheld) is a RAAF combat fighter instructor and says it was great to see John’s passion for the aircraft is still strong.
“It was amazing watching him,” he said.
“As soon as he got into the cockpit, he knew exactly where to put his hands on the control stick and he put his finger on the trigger.
“It was great seeing how happy he was getting into the Spitfire.”
John McDonald in the cockpit for the first time in 80 years. Photo: Department of Defence
John enlisted in the RAAF on February 26, 1943, and learnt to fly on Tiger Moth biplanes and the Australian-designed Wirraway before he moved onto the Spitfire.
The Spitfire was co-credited with helping turn back the Nazi air offensive during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Commanding Officer 100 Squadron, Wing Commander Richard Brougham says McDonald also had the chance to meet with the current generation of fighter pilots as well as the pilot who flew the Spitfire in a lunchtime flying display.
“It was great they got to talk to living history. When he spoke to the display pilot who flew the Spitfire, he gave him some instructional technique on landing, which was terrific,” Wing Commander Brougham said.
“It’s great (that) current members got to meet someone who has flown this aircraft. The opportunity to hear his stories and learn from his experience is becoming rarer.”
John’s day at the airshow started with watching the Spitfire fly then inspected it on the ground.
After he had a turn in the cockpit, John McDonald joined Wing Commander Brougham as they watched the afternoon flying display which also included a WWII-era P-51D Mustang.
ABOUT THE SPITFIRE
- This was the last Spitfire acquired by the RAAF. It was built in England in 1944, test flown and shipped to Australia.
- The RAAF took delivery of it in April 1945 but did not see combat; instead, it was placed into storage.
- After the war, the aircraft was used by Sydney Technical College as an instructional airframe and eventually restored to flight in 1985.
- The aircraft’s green-and-grey camouflage were worn by the RAAF aircraft defending Darwin during World War II and across the South West Pacific.
- This aircraft carries the markings of Wing Commander R.H. (Bobby) Gibbes OAM DSO DFC.
- This Spitfire was donated to Temora Aviation Museum in July 2002.
Source: Department of Defence
