The well-known Port Elizabeth aviation artist Don Bell donated an oil painting of Spitfire 5553 to the Spitfire Project. The original painting as well as prints of the painting will be sold, to raise funds to aid the restoration of the South African Air Force Museum Spitfire Mk IXe.
The official handover of the painting took place at the May Air Show at the Air Force Base Zwartkop. Brian Anderssen, Chairman of the Port Elizabeth Branch of the FSAAFM, and James Canepa, FSAAFM Port Elizabeth, represented Don Bell and receiving the painting, on behalf of the Spitfire Restoration Project, Col Tony Smit, the 2nd OC of the Museum and Steering Committee Member of the Spitfire Project, as well as Phil Scallan, President of the FSAAFM and member of the Steering Committee of the Spitfire Project,.
The Spitfire Restoration Project wishes to acknowledge and express it’s gratitude Don Bell for his very generous donation to the project.