Carolyn Grace

Carolyn Grace (8 January 1952 – 2 December 2022) was an Australian pilot, businesswoman, mother of two, and aircraft restorer; and one of two qualified female pilots of the Supermarine Spitfire since World War II. In 1990, she made her first solo Spitfire flight and qualified as a pilot for the aircraft. While female pilots had flown the Spitfire during World War II as part of the Air Transport Auxiliary, Grace was the first qualified female pilot ever to take part in display flying, leading others to follow. She subsequently accumulated 900 flying hours, performing at various air shows and memorial events. The Spitfire ML407, which she and her husband had restored to working order, became known as the "Grace Spitfire". and Aon, who sponsored her events, met the expensive insurance costs. In 2011, she flew the plane on the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight in 1936. on 2 December 2022, at the age of 70.