The Australian Spitfire Association

Spitfire Association Membership is a great step in preserving the memory of the most famous Fighter of WWII, the Spitfire, and those who flew and maintained these magnificent aircraft.

Meet some of the remaining Australian Spitfire Pilots, and hear first hand their thrilling stories of combat in Australia and overseas.

Benefits of Membership

• Support the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship Scheme *

• Entitled to attend our Anzac Lunch and meet former Spitfire Pilots

• Entitled to attend Special Trips such as Aviation Events, Aviation Museums, Reunion Trips to Darwin, etc.

• Access to Members Only Merchandise

* This annually awarded Fellowship has been established by Ex-wartime Spitfire Pilots and their ground crews, the Spitfire Association and leading private and corporate supporters as a lasting and dynamic memorial to the significant contribution of the Spitfire and it's squadrons during World War II.

The Fellowship provides encouragement for the development of advanced knowledge and expertise, which will aid the defence of Australia by financial support of at least $30,000 per annum, and public recognition to senior students and academics who will undertake programs of study or research at the University of NSW (The Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra or Sydney) or other appropriate institutions within or outside Australia.

Visit the Spitfire Association's web site, http://www.spitfireassociation.com.au/

Lachlan (Lachie) Smart with Spitfire Association President Geoff Zuber. Lachie was the Guest Speaker at the Spitfire Association's Anzac Day Luncheon, just prior to his record breaking flight.

 Queensland teenage pilot Lachlan Smart has become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine aircraft.

 He landed his Cirrus SR22 at Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola just before 8:00am, on the 27th of August 2016.

 To the cheers of friends, family, and a swarm of supporters, he completed the last leg of his journey by taxiing through an arch of water from local fire trucks.

 Lachie emerged from the cabin of his plane and punched the air in jubilation. In completing a 45,000-kilometre trip that took almost two months to complete, he has set a new world record.

 At 18 years, seven months and 21 days old, Smart is now the youngest person ever to complete the journey, which was two-and-a-half years in the planning. The previous record holder, American Matt Guthmiller, finished the trip aged 19 years, seven months and 15 days.

 Lachie commented that the weather and dealing with overseas air traffic control were two major challenges. "In the Pacific I had some pretty horrendous weather," he said.

Smart actually returned to Australian soil on Thursday when he landed in Bundaberg, leaving a short flight today to complete the journey.

 "I was joined in the sky for a little bit by my old chief flying instructor who taught me how to fly and really started my aviation career off, so it was very special to come back with him," he said.