Where can I buy a Spitfire

Maybe this one’s still available……

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lincolnshire/4646888.stm

As some of you know I work in the Middle East, my boss has asked me to find him a non airworthy Spitfire (no Joke!), where do I start looking?
please don’t say ebay!

If you are talking about a real (ie non replica/FSM) Spitfire and one that is complete, recognisable and sitting on its wheels this is probably the hardest thing to find of all. If you wish to purchase a flyable aircraft there are opportunities or even if you are looking for a basket case restoration project (that may not necessarily be even recognisable as a Spitfire to a lay person) there are one or two potentially available. The reason is that such a relativley complete but static example is the best place to start an airworthy re-build project and as a consequence they are now comparitivley scarce. The last big batch of static airframes were the RAF gate guards that were released in the early 1990’s. There are of course many static examples remaining in museums throughout the world but they are not normally available for sale and when they (rarely) do they command high prices.

Depending on what he wants it for (and if his pockets aren’t deep enough) have you mentioned “FSM” to him?

Roger Smith.

Off the top of my head, Historic Flying Ltd, The Aircraft Restoration Company, Provenance Fighter Sales, Classic Aircraft Sales and Courtesy Aircraft… google em!

TT