The Story of Spitfire EN 570: A Dream Reborn
This is more than the story of an aircraft; it is a journey through history and the realization of a lifelong dream. From the skies of World War II to the landscapes of Norway, Spitfire EN 570 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic machine and the dedication of those preserving it.
A Lifelong Fascination
For Runar Vassbotten, the CEO of Flying Spitfire, the Spitfire was always special. He’d been fascinated by the plane’s engineering and history since he was a boy and had a long-held dream to one day own and fly one.
That dream stuck with him and eventually led to a project that would take nearly ten years of hard work. A key step came in 2015 when he visited Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight. This is a well-known workshop that can build every part of a Spitfire from the ground up.
Runar was so impressed by their skill that he decided to commit to the project. He left the workshop with more than just an idea; he had the identity of Spitfire EN 570 and a signed contract to have its fuselage and tail section rebuilt. The project had officially begun.
A History Forged in Conflict
The aircraft Runar had committed to resurrecting, EN 570, had a rich and poignant history. Built in 1943, it was assigned to the Royal Air Force’s prestigious No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, based at the famous Biggin Hill sector. In May 1943, the aircraft was flown on combat missions by a Norwegian war hero, Lieutenant Rolf Thorbjørn Tradin, connecting it directly to Norway’s own wartime legacy.
Tradin’s story is one of extraordinary courage. On April 9, 1940, during the German invasion of Norway, he flew a Gloster Gladiator from Fornebu and shot down a German Ju 52 transport aircraft—the first enemy aircraft destroyed over Norway in the war. After Norway fell, he escaped to Canada, trained as an instructor, and eventually joined 611 Squadron in England, where he would fly EN 570 in combat over occupied Europe.
EN 570 was a formidable machine, a Spitfire Mk. IX credited with shooting down a German Focke-Wulf Fw 190. However, its operational life was tragically short. On June 11, 1943, while being flown by Flight Officer Gordon Rowland Lindsay, the aircraft was shot down over France. The wreckage lay hidden and forgotten in a forest for 70 years, a silent monument to the conflict and the pilot who lost his life.
The long road to reassembly
When the remains of EN 570 were found in 2013, the project was less a restoration and more a complete rebuild from the ground up. It was a massive undertaking that required 24,000 hours of work over nine years. The job began on the Isle of Wight and was finished at the historic Biggin Hill.
A huge part of the work involved tracking down rare, original components. Runar spent a lot of time searching across Norway, following leads to places where old Spitfire parts might be found. He focused on historic Norwegian airbases like Bardufoss, Værnes, Gardermoen, and Kjevik.
This search for authentic parts became a project in itself, driven by a desire to stay true to the aircraft’s history. Seeing the project through required a significant investment of time and resources, showing a deep commitment to bringing this piece of Norwegian heritage back to the skies.
the aircraft returns to norway
After nearly ten years of hard work, Spitfire EN 570 finally came back to Norway in 2023. It’s been rebuilt as a two-seater and is now based in Notodden. This means the aircraft isn’t just something to look at in a museum; it’s back in the air, and you can hear its famous Rolls-Royce Merlin engine flying over the Norwegian skies again.
For the team at Flying Spitfire, this project has been a real labor of love. They don’t run it as a typical business; it’s really all about sharing their passion for this incredible plane and its story.
Flying in the Spitfire from Notodden is a unique experience, with amazing views of the local mountains and lakes. When passengers look out over those famous wings, they’re often reminded of the plane’s incredible history. This exact aircraft was flown in combat during the war by a Norwegian war hero—the same pilot who shot down the first enemy plane over Norway on April 9, 1940.
That connection to the past, mixed with the beautiful Telemark scenery, makes each flight feel like more than just a sightseeing trip. It’s a really special way to connect with an important piece of history.
More Than a Flight
The best part about this project is seeing how much the experience means to people. Watching passengers connect with the plane and its story makes all the effort feel worthwhile. It proves what can happen when people are passionate enough to bring a piece of history back to life. A lot went into giving people this chance, and that story continues with every new passenger who gets to fly in the Spitfire.
