And pretty badly knocked about (allegedly).

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.

Interesting that it has only done 40 hrs in 3 years since it first flew after the latest restoration. Just shows how difficult it must be to justify ownership of a warbird if you have to rely on airshow proceeds but I guess many of the “owners” don’t have that problem. I ‘m surprised that it’s “only” worth half of a Mark 1. Are Griffon Spitfires worth that much less? In my eyes this is the best looking of all the current fleet.

Snafu, I fully agree with your comments about so-called “climbers” but talk to the mountain rescue teams and they seem to love it as it gives them something to practice on. No accounting for taste.

Happy to do the survey but Google says the postcode is no longer in use. Could I suggest that the website has opening times on it please. Missing an opportunity there.

Back in the early 60s, I nearly bought Hornet Moth HBL or HBM, I can’t remember which. In the end I spent my £395 on a Mk 1 Sprite. Current values of the Sprite maybe £12-13K. A Hornet might fetch £50-60K. I got it wrong I think.

We crossed over there Sideslip. Still we agree which is good.