Tim Wallis’ Spitfire XIV…

…was NH799, restored by Historic Flying (I think).

Funnily enough, a French Spitfire website lists this aircraft as being “destroyed”, yet all other accounts I’ve read say she was “badly damaged” in the take-off accident in ’96.

Jeez, that wasn’t half quick! I just saw the photo a minute ago, and put the thread up 30 seconds ago! 😉

Willow – So long as the restorer has the deceased’s family’s approval, I don’t see why not.

As long as it is handled sensitively, I can see no harm in it. I was actually approached (following a posting on the Flyvintage.com page) to see if I was interested in acquiring a Spitfire wreck (I believe it was TE566), and remember being a bit shocked at first, and politely declined (couldn’t afford it anyway!), but then I thought, well, if someone wants to do it, they should, not only to keep history going, but the family of the previous owner might want to keep the memory of their loved ones alive, too.

It’s not entirely the same, but Carolyn Grace kept her Spitfire after Nick died – very brave of her, I think. Probably most others would have sold it.

I seem to recall a photo of the Church Spitfire VC post-crash (a bit insensitive, I reckon), and all that remained was the tail and the wings.

I’ve read Piece of Cake at least SIX times since buying the book a few years ago – has to be the best 1940-era novel written, but then that’s only my opinion! The TV series was amazing, too. Must go out and buy a new copy of the book – my old one’s a bit battered!

Wasn’t quite sure what a ‘real’ squadron would have actually done, but I took a guess that some might have been reformed and sent north, and others sent on leave. Decisions, decisions…!

Thanks for the links and info, too. If anyone can think of anything else, feel free to add it to the mix.