The story of one of history’s greatest fighter aircraft from WWII to its remarkable restoration in 1980 Rhodesia: “an aviation classic-in-waiting” (Airscape). In 1977, the Rhodesian Air Force retrieved a World War II–era Supermarine Spitfire F Mk 22. But while the RAF was embroiled in the Bush War, the dream of restoring the aircraft was frustrated by international sanctions. That’s when legendary pilot John “Jack” McVicar Malloch took control of the project. Not only had Jack flown Spitfires during World War II, he was also uniquely positioned to circumvent sanctions through his airfreight company, Air Trans Africa. With ingenuity, passion, and a team of trusted engineers, Jack realized the dream of putting Spitfire PK350 back in the air on March 29, 1980. In Malloch’s Spitfire, author Nick Meikle tells the full story of this remarkable restoration and reveals some fascinating insights about the aircraft. The reader is taken on a journey through the Spitfire’s life, beginning with her first test flight in 1945. The project’s lead engineer and many of the surviving pilots who flew her also share their memories. For two years, PK350 delighted those fortunate enough to see her fly. Then, on what was planned to be her last flight, Malloch’s Spitfire never returned to base.

Jack Malloch was Rhodesia’s principal pioneer in aviation. He was an aviator and entrepreneur who left his mark on Rhodesia in a number of ways. He introduced larger and longer range aircraft than anyone else and he used these aircraft to develop an airfreight business which reached into Africa and Europe during a time when Great Britain, the United Nations and others were trying to slam the door of commerce in the face of anyone from Rhodesia. In addition Jack had no hesitation about flying into the war zones of Biafra which he did in his early days in order to keep this business afloat. The story of Jack is told in the context of the years immediately following the end of the British Empire and how the Rhodesians attempted to fend off the winds of change which drew them into a Bush War of about fifteen years duration, which sadly cost more than 20,000 lives. Jack Malloch’s love for aviation culminated in his being the principle driver of a major project to restore a derelict Spitfire, the aircraft he had loved since his flying adventures during the Second World War and which he flew with great joy. It is sad to say that this Spitfire was the instrument of his death.

Jack Malloch was Rhodesia’s principal pioneer in aviation. He was an aviator and entrepreneur who left his mark on Rhodesia in a number of ways. He introduced larger and longer range aircraft than anyone else and he used these aircraft to develop an airfreight business which reached into Africa and Europe during a time when Great Britain, the United Nations and others were trying to slam the door of commerce in the face of anyone from Rhodesia. In addition Jack had no hesitation about flying into the war zones of Biafra which he did in his early days in order to keep this business afloat. The story of Jack is told in the context of the years immediately following the end of the British Empire and how the Rhodesians attempted to fend off the winds of change which drew them into a Bush War of about fifteen years duration, which sadly cost more than 20,000 lives. Jack Malloch’s love for aviation culminated in his being the principle driver of a major project to restore a derelict Spitfire, the aircraft he had loved since his flying adventures during the Second World War and which he flew with great joy. It is sad to say that this Spitfire was the instrument of his death.