It feels as though Spitfires are by some margin ( and increasing) the largest component of the UK historic scene, and variety is getting squeezed.

Given the Fighter Collection disposals, the Air Atlantique Historic Flight dispersal and the fading of British historic jet operations, are we heading for airshows which have wall-to-wall Spitfires and little else?

Perhaps one factor is that any high-spending collector who fancies indulging in historic aeroplane, but has no particular background in historic flying ( there are quite a few such people) t will almost inevitably end up with a Spitfire because it is the one they have heard of , you can buy a brand new one, and there is a whole industry to support and train you,

Maybe one day someone will get an urge to create and display an Airspeed Fleet Shadower, but I will not hold my breath……..

I wonder if the sheer quantity of Spitfires is now “diluting” the price,airshow bookings and any money making opportunities .A lovely looking aircraft .

I am sure high supply and diminished demand ( cancelled events) will have pushed appearance fees downwards .

Probably a Spitfire made-for-two is a better money-making prospect these days.

Washed with petrol and dried with a match, I assume.

Assumption based on what ? Avspecs seem to be the most admirable custodians of vintage aeroplanes.

That is really scary, but fascinating, and a great contribution to the thread.

Please do post the other picture if you are able.

You are quite correct.

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=18874

I was remembering speculation that he maybe ran into his own votices after various low level aerobatic figures, but that remains just conjecture.