Ezer Weizman’s Black Spitfire back in the air.

From an original article by Nadav Berger | Translation: Ofri Aharon – Israeli Air Force/IAF Magazine.

After a four year absence and a very detailed overhaul process, last May the “Black Spitfire of Ezer Weizman”, the oldest, most famous of Israeli airplanes, returned to the skies.The airplane was completely disassembled and reassembled in cooperation with Israeli Air Force’s Transport Branch, the IAF Museum, The Ministry of Defense and other IDF Units. Many parts of the plane were replaced including the radiators, gas pumps, tires and upholstery, some of the parts were shipped in from shops in Britain and Germany. 

The “Black Spit” joined the Royal Air Force in May 29, 1945, was transferred to the Czech Air Force and then sold to Israel in October 1948.The plane arrived in Israel in November 1949, received the number 2057, and entered service in the “First Fighter” Squadron. It was then used for training purposes in the “Scorpion” squadron and the “Third Spitfire” Squadron, known today as the “Knights of the Orange Tail” Squadron ( now flying F-16I Sufa). 

In 1954, most of Israel’s Spitfires were sold to Burma, but a few planes remained in Israel at the initiative of Major General Ezer Weizman, the then-Commander of Ramat David Airbase. One of those planes was Spitfire 2057 (or 57 after shortening) which shortly afterwards became Weizman’s private plane and was painted black at its command to resemble the plane of the British Airbase Commander under which Weizman served during WWII. Weizman stuck with the “Black Spit” even after completing his army service and kept flying it in IAF’s airshows. Wiezman’s association with the plane was so great that it was decided to fly it over cemetery, during his funeral.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/ezer-weitzmans-black-spitfire-air.html