Hi Phil it must have been the mid 80’s as Doug Arnold moved out in 85. The Spits around when he moved out were 

SM969/G-BRAF airworthy ferried to Bitteswell 25/10/85, originally arrived 26/5/78, now N969SM

NH238/G-MKIX airworthy ferried to Bitteswell 10/10/85, orginally arrived 1981, I think it is still owned by the Arnold family and in very long term store in the UK for 20 years?

the following departed by road to Bitteswell in September/October 85 

MV262 arrived 26/5/78 now N808U with Kermit Weeks

MV293/G-SPIT arrived 26/5/78 now based at Sywell as G-SPIT

NH799 arrived 1981 now ZK-XIV

SM832/G-WWII arrived 9/7/78 now N54SF at Chino

RW386 arrived 1982 now LN-BSP

TE392 arrived 1984 now N14TS in Australia

So they all took to the skies eventually even if NH238 has dissapeared. Dates are from the Blackbushe airport tower log books.

Rob