spitfires

[Mictheslik]

Figures are argued but we're looking at between 60-80 Spitfires alone!

holy crap on a cracker!

[C]

Figures are argued but we're looking at between 60-80 Spitfires alone!

holy crap on a cracker!

[expat]

Figures are argued but we're looking at between 60-80 Spitfires alone!

holy crap on a cracker!

[ozzy72]

If the crates were well made and waterproofed properly there is no reason for them not to be okay, however I strongly suspect we'll be looking at a lot of project planes.
The truth is they have a monsoon season over there and wood rots. You've also got things that live underground and would eat the wood.
There's a LOT against out of the box fly away kites. Time will tell but being objective this'll be a "whose got a big enough bank account to restore them".

[wifesaysno]

If the crates were well made and waterproofed properly there is no reason for them not to be okay, however I strongly suspect we'll be looking at a lot of project planes.
The truth is they have a monsoon season over there and wood rots. You've also got things that live underground and would eat the wood.
There's a LOT against out of the box fly away kites. Time will tell but being objective this'll be a "whose got a big enough bank account to restore them".

Most definitely, however remember we are talking about 60+ Spitfires here. The number of Spitfires available for restoration to flight probably was just increased by 1000%. So at the very least, finding this many means more projects are available. A big problem facing warbirds today is simply finding projects. Sometimes they have to resort to projects that end up being more of a replica than a restoration (case in point the most recent Grumman Duck). So again, finding 60+ is a HUGE boost to the warbird community.

[ozzy72]

No argument mate, it'll hopefully double the number of flying Spits and bring 'em to a new generation of people who previously hadn't seen a proper warbird.

[expat]

No argument mate, it'll hopefully double the number of flying Spits and bring 'em to a new generation of people who previously hadn't seen a proper warbird.

What is also worth mentioning, these are all zero hours airframes regardless of the condition. Components may have to take a penalty when reconditioned, but at least they are not already starting with hours on the clock. The only problem I see is that 60+ more Spitfires on the circuit could mean a spare part shortage?

Matt

[ozzy72]

Things like magnetos are already like rocking horse poo. What would be the ideal situation is 50% serviceable and 50% buggered and put up for parts.

[wifesaysno]

Things like magnetos are already like rocking horse poo. What would be the ideal situation is 50% serviceable and 50% buggered and put up for parts.

Considering there are 60+...Ill take 50%! 

[C]

What is also worth mentioning, these are all zero hours airframes regardless of the condition. Components may have to take a penalty when reconditioned, but at least they are not already starting with hours on the clock.

Depending on the condition. Even fairly well protected, a lot of material may still end up in the scrap bin.

The only problem I see is that 60+ more Spitfires on the circuit could mean a spare part shortage?

Spares wouldn't be an issue considering most Spitfires that have come out of restoration in the past few years are effectively new builds - and often they don't sell quickly when they go for sale. Hence what would be an issue is where one would expect 60 new Spitfire owners to come from. It'll devalue the airframe (more Spitfires available = more competitions for airshow bookings = less income), and still cost three arms and a leg to insure, service and fly. And they're MkXIVs, which I suspect are a little less desirable to the casual punter and owner.

A little restraint is needed in some expectations on the web.

[ozzy72]

Charlie, I think the majority will actually turn out to be II's and V's.
The XIV wasn't even thought of when these were buried. In fact I think the Griffon engined variants were in testing and not even in service.

[C]

Charlie, I think the majority will actually turn out to be II's and V's.
The XIV wasn't even thought of when these were buried. In fact I think the Griffon engined variants were in testing and not even in service.

Er, mid 1945?

After 16 years of searching and lobbying, David Cundall, 62, has signed a deal to recover the lost RAF planes, which are believed to have been packed in crates and hidden by British forces on the orders of Earl Mountbatten shortly before the United States bombed the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945.

[ozzy72]

Another article I read said 1942. Wish they'd make their minds up and journalists learn to type

[Hagar]

Another article I read said 1942. Wish they'd make their minds up and journalists learn to type

I've told you before - Don't believe anything you read in the newspapers.

The number of buried Spitfires varies depending on which account you believe. This one seems reasonably accurate. http://www.itv.com/news/2012-10-18/rare-spitfires-buried-during-the-war-to-be-dug-up/

Mr Cundall's son said it was 14 on a radio interview last week. I wondered if he got confused with the mark number.

[C]

The initial report earlier in the year said they expected to find Mk XIVs, but hoped they may also stumble across some Mk VIIIs. Both were well used in SEAC, so it seems very plausible.