On the 1st June 2025, Irish aviation history was made when two Irish pilots flew together in an ex-Irish Air Corps Supermarine Spitfire T.9. UK-based Warbird Pilot, John O’Connell, took Dublin-based pilot, Doctor Ilse Nolan, flying in Spitfire T.9 TE308 (aka IAC 163), from Biggin Hill Airport in Kent, UK. The aircraft they flew in is one of the five remaining T.9s, which flew for the Irish Air Corps. The last time Irish pilots flew together, in an Irish Air Corps Spitfire, was in 1960.
Ilse, who comes from Dublin, is a keen flyer and she is a well-known pilot at Weston Airport. During the flight, which took place over the Kent countryside in the UK (where the Battle of Britain took place), Ilse took control of the iconic Spitfire, under John’s guidance, and got to experience the joy of flying this historic and powerful machine. This was followed by some aerobatics, which included a victory roll, before returning to Biggin, which of course, was a vital airfield during the Battle of Britain. During the flight, Ilse’s father and two brothers got to fly alongside Spitfire 163 in one of the chase planes, belonging to Biggin Hill Heritage Hangars.
John, who comes from Co Limerick, is a Gulfstream G600 Skipper by day and he is a Warbird and Display Pilot in his spare time; he has been flying vintage aircraft since the 1990s. He said “it was an absolute privilege to fly with Ilse, in such a historic and iconic machine, especially with its close connection to Ireland”. John added: “we both knew the historic significance of the flight, and this made me feel very proud indeed”. Every time John flies a Spitfire, he always wears a Brendan “Paddy” Finucane patch with a shamrock on his flight suit. This is his tribute to Brendan and all the other Irish pilots who flew and gave their lives during the war.
John, who flies part-time for the Fly a Spitfire.com / The Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, has flown three of the surviving ex-IAC Spitfires to date. He also flies the prototype 2-seat MkVIII Spitfire. He says his bucket list is to fly one of these Spitfires back to Baldonnel (where these Spitfires were based up until 1960s) at some point in the future. Stranger things have happened, so fingers crossed!
If you want to do an experience flight with John, in one of the ex-IAC Spitfires, contact flyaspitfire.com. John would be overjoyed to fly with more Irish Pilots.
