I have just re-read John Isaac’s marvellous account of collecting this aeroplane as a passenger with ‘The Patron’ when Vickers gave it to the Hampshire Aeroplane Club. On the climb out from Chilbolton the engine quit when the fuel **** was confused with the undercarriage control. Without an intercom John was completely oblivious to the cause of the problem and spent the flight back to Southampton wondering if the engine would stop again. I think there were only a few airworthy Spitfires in those days (1956) and even fewer in private ownership, so it was as big an adventure then as it would be now.
There are probably not many copies of John’s book ‘An Aeroplane Affair’ around but it is an excellent read if you can find one.