Johnny Checketts' Spitfire engine arrives at Wigram скачать в хорошем качестве

Johnny Checketts' Spitfire engine arrives at Wigram

An aircraft engine which lay buried in northern France for more than 70 years, has come halfway around the world to be delivered to the homeland of its pilot. The Rolls Royce Merlin engine, which belonged to a Mk.IXB Spitfire flown by renowned Invercargill-born fighter ace Johnny Checketts, arrived at its new home at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch on 22 February 2017, met by Museum staff and Johnny’s son, Chris Checketts. The engine has a remarkable story to tell, stretching back to the height of World War Two in Europe. On 6 September 1943, Johnny Checketts and his fellow Spitfire pilots of No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF took off on a mission to escort 72 RAF bombers to their target in France. They were intercepted and attacked by 20 German FW 190 fighters, and in the ensuing dogfight, Johnny’s Spitfire was hit. There was a “terrific explosion” and the cockpit filled with flames. Johnny was badly burned but managed to bail out, landing safely in a field, while his Spitfire ploughed into the ground. He was safely hidden with a French family and his wounds treated. With help from the French Resistance, Johnny evaded capture for nearly two months and safely made it back to England. Johnny passed away in Christchurch in 2006, after serving as a volunteer guide at the Air Force Museum for a number of years. In March 2015, French aviation enthusiast group ‘Somme Aviation 39-45’ uncovered the remains of Johnny’s Spitfire, aided by the accurate memories of local man André Bonvarlet, who, as a teenager, had witnessed Johnny’s Spitfire crash and had seen him bail out. The complete Merlin engine, together with numerous other aircraft parts, was excavated from beneath 3.5 metres of soil. Pierre and his team then began the process of cleaning and restoring the engine, which was encrusted with clay and dirt. Pierre contacted Johnny’s son Chris in Christchurch about the possibility of sending the engine to New Zealand. Thanks to generous support from Mainfreight, the engine was shipped here and donated to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand by Chris Checketts, on behalf of Pierre Ben. Through the efforts of Pierre and his ‘Somme Aviation 39-45’ team, the Museum now has an enduring tribute to one of the most famous Kiwi fighter aces of World War Two. Film footage courtesy of Broadcast Media Ltd.