I have a recue plan:-
They should write to the HLF and tell them that it will benefit the Displaced Ambidextrous, Lesbians of Albanian. I guarantee that the money and more will be released before you can say Carpet Munchers of the World Unite.

Another flyable Mk IX? That’s the most common mark these days. If it was another mark oh well. But this is a historic Spit for the Dutch. Not all Spits should end up in the air or overseas you know. The majority of the visitors don’t even know what a Firefly is. Anyway, the deal is done, nothing can be done about it now so let’s see what happens in the near future.

Cees

You’re missing the point Cees, a Spitfire especially one with a good covenant is worth a lot of money, probably more than a Firefly. If ARC restore the MkIX back to flying condition, sell it and then utilise the funds to put the Firefly back in the sky, I don’t see anything wrong with that. Though, I am not for one minute, suggesting that is what they intend to do.

HP57,
You are correct the Mk1X is the most numerous in terms of survivors. I make it 52 examples survivng of

See there is an advantage to having 6 fingers on each hand !!!!

Lets see now, ARC acquire a number of Fireflies from Sweden in 2004, they are kept in storage for a short while, one “SE-CAU” is disposed off in a deal that brings a potentially airworthy Spitfire back to the UK. The Dutch get a Firefly to play with and lose a Spitfire, a type which they have several of in any case.

In the meantime ARC restores Dutch Spitfire to fly, sells Spitfire to collector for a nice profit, the profit is pored into the remaining Firefly which also returns to the air.

Sorry am I missing something here, this is a win win situation, right ????? Two airframes returned to the air, a third restored to static display condition.

To me the chance to see a Firefly return to the skies over the UK is great. And if ARC have to do a few deals to get it there, good on them.

Please move on now, there’s nothing else to see here.

I imagine the magazine people are too preoccupied with running a magazine to worry about us.

Don’t you believe it, you’d be surprised who looks in on the forum and takes notes !!!!

100 hours a year, that seems to be a lot more than your average warbird flies, including transit flights to and from airshows.

Speaking of richard branson, i just happen to know there is a post it note on his desk at the moment mentioning XH558

Yes, to do with his new venture Virgin Scrap Plc

It’s understandable they wont want to sink big money in to the project until they can see some return for their efforts. And making sure it can fly again will be one of their main concerns.

Sorry, but what “returns” do the “sponsors” expect ?

The only return that I can foresee is the damn thing flying and then remaining airworthy. But to get to that point, they need sponsor, who are waiting to see if it will fly before committing their hard earned cash.

A clear case of Catch 22. To finish the project they need sponsorship, but get the sponsorship they need to finish the project.

You’ll travel far my son.
I’m glad that you’re handling my off shore Indian fund.

You won’t be saying that when you see my consultancy charges, especially my entertainment expenses. Unfortunately the fact finding trip to the reservation cost more in wine than I had anticipated, god those Cherokees can drink !!!!