Spitfire SM845 For Sale

Nope. An accident makes no difference to value.

I does focus the next pilot’s attention, though.

I noticed that with SM845 a similar period between accident and subsequent restoration to flight seems to have been observed, but there doesn’t seem to be a change in how the airframe is ‘adressed’ with regard to registration and serial.

I don’t fully understand. Why would SM845 be addressed any differently? From what I recall whilst the aircraft was damaged in the accident it wasn’t a total loss.

It is however a stunning restoration.

This thread triggered a question and I figured I might as well put it up for discussion. Is the value or ‘attractiveness’ (when for sale) of a Spitfire influenced in any way by the fact that it was involved in a fatal accident in the not too distant past? I remember that when PV202 was restored to fly that this was done after a number of years had passed since the accident at Goodwood and also the ‘PV202’ moniker was avoided during those first active years. I am well aware that many of the restored airframes have at one point in their history had some sort of accident, certainly those airframes that fell during the war and have now been rebuilt will most likely have been involved with a fatality. I was curious how this affects the market for airframes?

I noticed that with SM845 a similar period between accident and subsequent restoration to flight seems to have been observed, but there doesn’t seem to be a change in how the airframe is ‘adressed’ with regard to registration and serial.

You are quite right Dave. I work with one of the groups offering flights in a 2-seat Spitfire and it’s interesting to see how the demographic has started to change. Initially, in the first year, it was the enthusiasts and people with a Spitfire connection in the family. We had one lady who had worked on them at Castle Bromwich and never imagined she would get to fly in one. Now there is a greater proportion of people checking off items in their bucket list of things to do. Indeed we had one chap who when I asked him if he was an aircraft enthusiast said “”Oh no, but I thought I’d get this done before I go to NZ to do the bungee jump at Queenstown”. He was 74!! Amazing really.

The ownership of a single seat Spitfire does not always fall into the “making money” bracket. For some it is the pleasure of custodianship of a piece of history and of fulfilling a dream.

Of course. We have 2, a XVI and a IX (which will have a First Flight this summer). Both are single-seaters, and reflect the passion of Mr. Michael Potter, who owns the collection.

But it would also be nice if they could pay their own way. That is happening big-time in the UK now since the CAA re-wrote the rules.

Also, there is the point of view that if a flight operation is commercially viable, it connects people in a way that they will NEVER forget, particularly those who are not aeroplane-crazy, when they go for a ride.

Before such a ride most people just view the whole things as dry old history. (Not the people on forums like these. They are the Choir.) But after a flight in a fighter, an Understanding takes place. History is no longer old and dry. It sounds and smells like a Merlin.

Unforgettable.

And that change happened because a Ride took place. And that was possible because it was commercially viable. And that happened because of CAA rule-changing, plus airframe conversion to 2-seaters.

Dave

Although it’s highly unlikely it will happen I’d love to see this one in the BBMF stable! A different mark of spitfire for everyone to see!
Sadly it almost certainly won’t happen but I can live on hope!

Nice to see how many of you like the scheme and the way it turned out. I’m still pretty chuffed with it myself and the pictures do make it look rather appealing to any prospective buyer. Shame that it probably won’t get to fly an air-to-air photo sortie with PS915 now. Oh well…

Hey Roobarb, if ever you are planning a trip to New Zealand, I have a HK Auster T.7 that would look awesome with your painting skills! Lovely job!

Two seat Griffon Spitfire……………………….:rolleyes:

The ownership of a single seat Spitfire does not always fall into the “making money” bracket. For some it is the pleasure of custodianship of a piece of history and of fulfilling a dream.

The demand in the UK for Spitfires these days is for 2-seaters.

Now that the CAA have changed the rules, giving rides is going full-blast, both at Duxford and at Biggin Hill. It’s quite profitable.

A single-seat with a Griffon engine does not fall within that demand.

although I’m not a massive fan of low back spitfires and griffon powered spits I have to say she is a beauty!
Hopefully she will stay in the UK so we can see her fly alongside PS915! The two Hong Kong scheme spits in the air together would be a brilliant sight!

Guess you were having a good day at work Roobarb? It really does look fabulous; an ideal scheme to make the most of the low back.

I have checked Euromillions this morning and no luck. Had I won an air-to-air photo sortie would have been my way of saying “Great job”

Moggy

Nice to see how many of you like the scheme and the way it turned out. I’m still pretty chuffed with it myself and the pictures do make it look rather appealing to any prospective buyer. Shame that it probably won’t get to fly an air-to-air photo sortie with PS915 now. Oh well…

The best looking low back Spit’ of them all, IMO. Just stunning.

I have a spitfire, the number plate on it is W3458 and YOX in big letters, not flyable state but all in one piece….

Dont need it anymore due to clearing out so probably going to just give it away, anyone interested?

Thanks John.
Now that you mention it, it rings a bell.
And I thought MY brain was way too full with this aeroplane stuff 😉

Andy

SM969 was sold to a member of the Walton family (Walmart), under the name Lawrence Classics, in Arkansas – also the same owner as the P-51D “Was That Too Fast”. The aircraft have been kept operational/flying with hired pilots. (The same entity also owns the former Merle Maine Tigercat and the former D-EVAS Fieseler Storch.)

The same web site lists SM969 as sold.
Does anyone know where it currently resides?

SM845 looks lovely indeed!

Andy

Good question, and one I was going to ask!

It will be interesting to see if the Air Fighter Academy/Hanger 10 MKXVIII TP280 which is up for sale (as is the rest of the collection), gets a buyer.

But I do hope SM845 remains in the UK.

Cheers

Paul

The same web site lists SM969 as sold.
Does anyone know where it currently resides?

SM845 looks lovely indeed!

Andy

Lovely 🙂 Lottery tickets bought 🙂