On the same note anyone got any pics of California Cutie they want to share.
This was the a/c that was tragically lost at Duxford.

I have some air to air shots of this P38 on its maiden flight after restoration from Chino, I was lucky enough enough to be up in the P51 on a “orientation” flight when we got a call asking if we could meet up for some air to air work. The pilot asked me if I wanted to return to Chino first or just stay up! my 20min flight ended up lasting about an hour but my wife and buddy were having fits when I got back as nobody told them and I was 40min overdue!!

I would post them but I don’t have a flicker or similar photo account.

APU?

Really? not worth it? I would give my left nut to own and rebuild this aircraft! it’s a Spitfire, doesn’t matter who what or why it’s a Spitfire and it deserves respect no matter what it’s history! it is at least an original example of the Mark and not something rebuilt from a smoking hole in the ground. When did we get so picky about it? is it because there’s just so many of them around these days? Or am I just too in awe of Mitchel’s and Rolls-Royce’s wonder?

As I don’t have the book yet does anybody have a potted history of this aircraft?

Oh too brake the monotony of Spitfires I’d like to see a Spiteful in flight…………doesn’t someone here have a canopy it’s a start!!

I’m in the hoping for complete airplanes ready to fly off into the sunset camp but if there are just data plates and crushed remains then it will still be a significant success and all are to be applauded.

Wasn’t it because of early RAF experience with the Allison Mustangs that led to the Merlin powered version being developed – or is that one of those myths?

A Very informative and good read would be Rolls-Royce and the Mustang (Rolls-Royce Heritage trust) the true story of how the Mustang got a Merlin transplant……………..