South Africa's last flying Spitfire aircraft, which has languished in pieces for the past 17 years following a non-fatal air show crash, is being restored with the help of local project management software company Project Portfolio Office and other friends.
This Spitfire MK IX, serial number 5518, was only one of two aircraft of its type to be kept by the SA AirForce after these fighter craft were retired in 1954. It went through a full restoration to flying condition in the early 1990s. The other aircraft rests, flightless, at the Ditsong National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
According to Don Sutton, project manager for the ambitious voluntary 'Spitfire Restoration Project', who is responsible for the development of the correct systems, procedures, governance and documentation of all project management (PM) outputs, and Ian Grace, the project lead, in 2015 the SAAF approved the restoration of Spitfire 5518. Some 99% of the parts and components were salvaged after the crash and their condition and serviceability will have to be determined.
"We have aligned the project to the PMBOK principles of project management and are also following the applicable ISO codes for quality and risk management. We are using Project Portfolio Office's proprietary project portfolio management software, PPO, to manage the project and provide the integration for the project management knowledge areas," Sutton said.
"We had considered using Google Drive for the storage of our documents, but there was too much information scattered on various people's individual computer systems, as well as a large number of hard copy documents. Using the PPO tool will allow us to upload, categorise and store all project related documents in a central repository that can be accessed by the entire project management team from anywhere."
Guy Jelley, CEO of Project Portfolio Office, said his company was providing the Spitfire Restoration Project with PPO software and dedicated support, free of charge, as part of its corporate responsibility initiative.
According to Sutton, it could take 10 years to get the aircraft back into an 'as original' airworthy state.
"Our partners include a number of local universities, as well as representatives from Denel and Aerosud. There is also involvement with other restoration facilities in the UK and the Isle of Wight, with more corporate and individual partners and/or sponsors expected to come on board as the project progresses. A prominent construction company has offered to assist with funding and the erection of a purpose-built hangar.
"As well as restoring Spitfire 5518, we also aim to empower people during this project by developing skills used in aircraft trades that should enable them to fill roles in the SAAF as well as in private aviation companies and services," Sutton added.
Grace said that the endeavour was entirely voluntary, and totally dependent on donations. An estimated R85 million will have to be raised to cover its costs. A non-profit organisation has been set up to ensure accountability. This has been registered with the South African Revenue Service and any donation is exempted from tax.
Jelley said that as there were only 12 surviving SAAF Spitfires in the world of the original 137 that were once part of the SAAF, the historical, educational and empowering value of the project was enormous.
"We at Project Portfolio Office are proud to be involved with this wonderful project that brings together history and heritage, as well as education and empowerment, in a truly heart-warming manner," Jelley concluded.
The project's Web site, www.spitfire-restoration.co.za offers more information about the ambitious restoration.
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