This is probably a paralell case to the Tiger Moths which operate on PFA permits, due to the fact that they were assembled from ‘new’, previously unused components, and thus had no pre-existing identity, such as G-PBAJ. Unlike the warbird scenario, provenance/data plates do not seem bump up the prices and so it is not generally worth acquiring such an identity.

‘Wise Heads’ will tell you that these are not real Tigers, Austers, or whatever, whilst infact they are just as original as many of the restored historics, which have also been rebuilt around mainly non-original components, but of course this is a hoary old debate which has thrashed out ad nauseum.

From the point of view of the owner, the PFA Permit is a real plus, as it allows one to do much more of the maintenance, and save a packet.