TE213 was the 5556th Mk IX built, rolling out of Castle Bromwich in May 1945. On arrival in South Africa in August 1947, she was allocated the number 5518. After an eventfull career which included a collision with another Spitfire and a drogue cable, she was taken out of service in 1954. In 1955 a decision was taken to erect a gate guard at Waterkloof and 5518 was given a chance at surviving being scrapped.

In 1978 he was accorded her true value an removed from the pylons and taken to the SAAF Museum. She was restored to a flying condition in 1995, painted as 5553.

At the SAAF Museum Flying Day at Swartkops, Pretoria on April 15th 2000 she suffered an engine malfunction. The pilot, Lt-Col Neil Thomas, escaped with minor injuries during an emergency forced landing.

The airframe has been stored and it is expected she will be once again restored.