I disagree, that is not P9374, it is simply a newbuild with an old data plate nailed to it, there will be next to nothing left in it from the original, you wouldn’t pass off a Chippendale desk that was manufactured in 2010 but sporting a makers label as an original, and neither is this. It is not a replica, but neither is it an old warbird and neither is it a restoration as the original material in it will be negligible, it is plain and simply a new build, and as such the plate could also be manufactured for all the difference it makes towards this being a genuine warbird..
Even if you’re right, then so what? What does it matter?
All I know, is that I now have the opportunity to witness a truly beautiful aircraft take flight. One that represents the closest to Mitchell’s original design and vision that I am likely to ever see and hear.
Regardless of “Restoration” or “Reconstruction” or the methods of it’s extraction from the French coast, we now have a glorious example of the Spitfire in it’s purest form to appreciate and enjoy.
I am grateful to everyone that has contributed to the re-birth of P9374. I can’t wait to see her fly.
And that’s about it.
We are quickly reaching a 100 years since the BoB (yes, I know, still several decades). What are we gonna do then, to get these lovely birds flying?
We (they) will do what it takes.
Reconstruction, re-builds, what does it really matter as long as we can see these magnificent machines take to the sky. The Spitfire in question is just as much a Spitfire as anything else.
Even if this Spitfire had ben salvaged the right way, and put in a museum, what bloody fun would that be? I would absolutely NOT fly all the way to Hendon to see a wreck of a Spitfire. What I would do is fly all the way to Duxford to see it take to the skies. It’s not like museums doesn’t have a Spitfire hanging from a roof or stuck on it’s wheels somewhere. As interesting as Hendon might be, there’s no roar of engines there. The machines are all dead.
No, just put them into the air and let us enjoy it. I don’t understand this certain mentality, or even negativity or criticism towards these things and I never will.
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