Spitfire Heaven..............

[tim]

I'm sure we all know of the Supermarine Spitfire and the part this beautiful fighter played in the history in World War Two. Sadly, there are only a few left. You see the odd one at air shows sometimes, and rarely a few flying together.
This may change.
In 1945 some Spitfire IIs were shipped out to Burma. Towards the end of the war they were waxed, wrapped in greased paper and the joints tarred. Then they buried them. No-one knew precisely where they were, but a chap named David Cundell has been looking for them for the last 15 years. Twelve trips to Burma and £130,000 later and - he's found them. 20 of them. Yes, TWENTY!
David Cameron has become involved and they're going to be recovered and brought back. They'll need to be stripped and re-riveted, but they are, to all intents and purposes, brand new aircraft.
The hope is to build an entire Squadron of Spitfires................
Here's a link - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...in-Burma-during-war-to-be-returned-to-UK.html
This is just wonderful..................

 

[Vermonter]

Wow, that's a really lucky find. I didn't realize they'd survive for so long. Awesome!

 

[tim]

Hre's a clip of 16 Spitfires together in 2010. It represents about 40% of those remaining in flying condition.......... now we may have another 20...........

 

[kookbreaker]

Sweet! They were in their shipping packs and such, but I wonder if they can really be restored to flying condition?

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Hre's a clip of 16 Spitfires together in 2010. It represents about 40% of those remaining in flying condition.......... now we may have another 20...........

Oh. Oh. Oh. Listen to those Merlins growl.

 

[MG1962]

Sweet! They were in their shipping packs and such, but I wonder if they can really be restored to flying condition?

The Australian airforce made a similar find a few years ago. The report mentioned the engines needed to be stripped and all the oil and grease replaced and they would be mechanically like new. So I would say other than anything need fluid - they should be in great shape

 

[SpitfireIX]

Wow. Just, wow.

 

[angrysoba]

Congratulations to the guy who found them! It was amazingly successful and to find them all apparently in mint condition must be the cherry on the cake.

 

[arthwollipot]

This is very cool.

 

[Carnivore]

Amazing! There were exactly two this year flying at Warbirds Over Wanaka - biggest airshow in the Southern Hemisphere. The thought of a whole squadron, with pilots who train together - (shivers)

This just makes my day.

 

[SpitfireIX]

Now that I've recovered sufficiently to write something coherent, what's really marvelous is that these are Mk. IIa Spitfires, a type that fought in the Battle of Britain. Most of the survivors, flyable and otherwise, are later marks.

 

[tim]

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has a IIa which actually saw service during the battle. It's number is P7350.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/theaircraft/spitfirep7350.cfm

 

[steve s]

I can't wait for some photos to become available.

Steve S

 

[SpitfireIX]

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has a IIa which actually saw service during the battle. It's number is P7350.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/theaircraft/spitfirep7350.cfm

Yeah, I've seen that. That's why I said, "most." I almost wish they'd retire it from flying, though, before something happens to it. Almost.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Oh. Oh. Oh. Listen to those Merlins growl.

Nothing can match a P&W Double Wasp at full power. Well, except THREE of them doing a flyover at about 300' altitude.

(Airshow about 10 years ago...one each P-47D Thunderbolt, F6F Hellcat, and F4U-5 Corsair.)

 

[Sideroxylon]

The Australian airforce made a similar find a few years ago. The report mentioned the engines needed to be stripped and all the oil and grease replaced and they would be mechanically like new. So I would say other than anything need fluid - they should be in great shape

As a kid we made a few trips with the Aviation Historical Society. They dug up a few old spitfires buried at the old Gorrie airstrip near Larrimah. They we not given the TLC the Burma planes were but rather trashed. I souvenired a piece of windshield that is about somewhere.

 

[RationalVetMed]

Hre's a clip of 16 Spitfires together in 2010. It represents about 40% of those remaining in flying condition.......... now we may have another 20...........

Fantastic clip - thanks for the link, gave me goosebumps!

Yuri

 

[I Ratant]

These guys don't fly any more... too many crashes..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h41tKh13hQc

 

[Beanbag]

Besides fluids, any rubber parts (hoses, seals, boots, etc.) will need replacing. Essentially, you're looking at a complete tear-down and reassembly.

Sounds like fun. Where do I sign up?

Beanbag

 

[Uncle Otto]

I noticed a couple of them in that clip mounted the 20 mm canons. You can see the blisters for the gun breeches underneath the wings.

Sweet.