20 new(ish) Spitfires

[ozzy72]

I'm trying to get in touch with Harry (Europes leading Spitfire God and a good personal friend) to verify anything that might be going down

[C]

I'm trying to get in touch with Harry (Europes leading Spitfire God and a good personal friend) to verify anything that might be going down

I doubt anything further than what's already been released in the public domain by Peter Arnold can be ventured...

As for how many are currently airworthy, or in the process of being restored to flight (such as formerly airworthy - crashed - PL983) or undergoing major overhaul (Shuttleworth's AR501), his list makes 76. The figure's been around the 45-50 capable of flight at any one time for about the last 5-10 years, and around 25 airworthy in the UK at any one time for about the last 10-15 years (as new ones have appeared, others have gone Stateside [generally], crashed, or undergoing major maintenance).

[ozzy72]

If anyone knows anything about this it'll be Harry van der Meer

[wifesaysno]

[quote][quote]I guess NZ is very lucky.

We've got a few Spits in flying condition & more in museums; the Polikarpov

[C]

If anyone knows anything about this it'll be Harry van der Meer

Pete Arnold's (most recent) Spitfire book beat Harry van der Meer's by 92 pages!

[Flying Trucker]

I am curious how any person can purchase even one of these aircraft.

Do they not still belong to the Royal Air Force and should the taxpayer not be reinbursed somehow in todays figures?

[C]

I am curious how any person can purchase even one of these aircraft.

Do they not still belong to the Royal Air Force and should the taxpayer not be reinbursed somehow in todays figures?

I think essentially the ownership has been transferred to whoever gets permission to and excavates the remains!

[wifesaysno]

I am curious how any person can purchase even one of these aircraft.

Do they not still belong to the Royal Air Force and should the taxpayer not be reinbursed somehow in todays figures?

I think essentially the ownership has been transferred to whoever gets permission to and excavates the remains!

Looks like I need to grab a shovel and head over there..

[Flying Trucker]

Not sure what political genius came up with that idea "C" but it sounds to me like they need a kick where the sun don't shine...

[C]

There's potential to lose a lot more than can be gained. Remember that 12 years of legwork have been done by a private individual to find them with no guarantee they could be exported once recovered. Let someone else have the risk, as UK PLC owns more Spitfires than anyone else already (with some in storage). It would be hard to justify spending public money when all that may remain are some disintegrated hulks with a few valuable data plates, which probably even in good condition would have no more than a $250,000 value.

Essentially what the individuals concerned have are salvage rights, and the right to dispose of whatever they find how they wish.

[Flying Trucker]

Thanks for the explanation "C"...much appreciated...

[C]

As an aside to my previous post, IIRC they are though to be quite close to the main runway at an airport, so as you can imagine, in the 67 years since they were allegedly buried there's a chance "the earth has moved" in more ways than one!

[Jetranger]

Found this article about this -----} http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9203822/Spitfires-buried-in-Burma-during-war-to-be-returned-to-UK.html

[Flying Trucker]

Thanks for the Link "Jetranger"...very good read...