Spitfire MV459 properly restored?

I will settle for a vultee vengeance in a river bed:D

The spitfire had to pick an unfortunate time to turn up in the river bed. “Operation Parakram” was on (Another eye to eye confrontatino with our neighbours) and there was a Missile Squadron nearby (stationed temporarily). The Missile squadron chaps went to pulling it out with hammer and tongs 🙂

if the mobilisation was not there, they would probalby have sent in a technical team and hopefullly they may have extracted it in one piece – instead of the three

And, according to one source, a Brewster Buffalo embedded in a river bank somewhere (although that is Malaysia or Singapore IIRC)

Are we now in the potentially bizarre position of work being ‘outsourced’ from India to Suffolk and the Isle of Wight ?

Realistically, the most cost effective route. 🙂

…but not the Indian jets. I would imagine Bangalore will take care of them.

Mark

Tail wheel looks abit “o er” on that hurri

cheers
668

Are we now in the potentially bizarre position of work being ‘outsourced’ from India to Suffolk and the Isle of Wight ?

I don’t think the provenance of what was recovered has ever been in doubt. What I do doubt is how much of it is realistically useable without it ending up in a skip with a new fuselage in it’s place. As for the Wapiti – whilst givng all the appearances of a mock up – there appears to be a substancial amount of the Westland product in .

In my view, realistically, a substantial amount…if the spirit is willing. 🙂

Mark

The Mk VIII NH631 has not been on public display now for some considerable number of years.

Not so the Hurricane.

I understand that all of the above list, save for the Liberator are contenders for the IAFMF.

Mark

I don’t think the provenance of what was recovered has ever been in doubt. What I do doubt is how much of it is realistically useable without it ending up in a skip with a new fuselage in it’s place. As for the Wapiti – whilst givng all the appearances of a mock up – there appears to be a substancial amount of the Westland product in .

Yes,

And a Tempest II, A Spit Mk XVIII, A Lysander, a Liberator, quite a memorial flight if all would be restored to fly (didn’t mention the “Wapiti” as it’s more a mock up);)

Cees

The Indian Air Force is moving ahead to get a number of its Vintage and Veteran machines back in to the air, modelled on the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Spitfire NH631 will be the principal Spitfire, with MV459 forming the basis of a reserve airframe.

Isn’t there a Hurricane in India as well, alongside NH631?

Well, it’s a good thing that it will be restored, who will carry out the work?

As this is also a very recent recovery, what more can we expect from India regarding wrecks. A few years ago (in the early WWW-forum days IIRC) a photograph was posted showing a Spitfire wing and a Hurricane wing alongside in the grass. Weren’t there some Mk XVIII Spits still missing or rumoured in Inda.

Cheers

Cees

There’s also a reference in Peter Vacher’s book to some Spitfire airframes still waiting to be recovered

Well, it’s a good thing that it will be restored, who will carry out the work?

As this is also a very recent recovery, what more can we expect from India regarding wrecks. A few years ago (in the early WWW-forum days IIRC) a photograph was posted showing a Spitfire wing and a Hurricane wing alongside in the grass. Weren’t there some Mk XVIII Spits still missing or rumoured in Inda.

Cheers

Cees

Don’t be cruel – my kids draw Spitfires that look just like that every day, especially my 4 year old……….:diablo:

The Indian Air Force is moving ahead to get a number of its Vintage and Veteran machines back in to the air, modelled on the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Spitfire NH631 will be the principal Spitfire, with MV459 forming the basis of a reserve airframe. It will be recovered from its base at Ambala, to be replaced with a more accurate GRP replica.

These small images show the recovery at the river bed/bank prior to the Ambala ‘restoration’.

Provenance link to the MV459 serial ID is 100%.

Win, win all round. 🙂

Mark

Airworthy restoration.

So what’s the deal with this aircraft then? It is to be restored to airworthiness. Any details on when it’ll fly, who owns it etc?

Thanks.

as are the exhaust stacks lol

That canopy is bizarre

Moggy

Looks alright to me.

Perhaps someone moved it before the glue set- same thing happened to some of my Spitfires.;)

:D:D:D
looks like somebody overtensioned the wing tether 😀

cheers baz

Yes.

Mark

This wouldn’t be the one which had the same ‘sympathetic’ restoration as the Firefly by any chance? 😮

Looks alright to me.

Perhaps someone moved it before the glue set- same thing happened to some of my Spitfires.;)