Mark 12
“Five wrecks consumed! Would you care to tell us which continent this was on, Europe, US, Australasia etc?”
Not the UK – and no for obvious reasons I will not disclose where.
“If we are talking about the UK restored Spitfire echelon at Leg-ends this year, I am just not recognising this ‘historic vandalism’. Can you be specific to serial and let’s discuss? Are we really saying that rotten propellers, head popping magnesium alloy rivets, time expired rubber and crazed perspex MUST be preserved?”
I am really sick of the bulldust “Provenance” argument put up by self serving interests in the industry over the identity of an aircraft. Let’s face it I just went to Duxford and saw Leg ends, and a great air show it was too. There were all these “WW11” fighters there – fantastic – such a wonderful sight but I would be really surprised how much of each Spit airframe for example was “original” and for reasons stated above I am pleased they aren’t. But They all have an identity or provenance based upon a donor airframe which can be as small as a data plate or can consume major parts of a static airframe which is then often scrapped rather than being used in a static rebuild just so it doesn’t confuse the title/provenance of someone’s flying investment – pure vandalism of a historic artefact. Future generations will cringe at this travesty. We can have both so easily just tidy up the regulations to allow for title allocation and allow for incentives to preserve donor aircraft in museums – You know it makes sense – let’s do it.
As you can see fromthe FULL context of what I said I was pleased they had been restored and totally rebuilt – the more so the better – My POINT is that I think all flying aircraft SHOULD be full reconstructions – My other POINT is that
“Are we really saying that rotten propellers, head popping magnesium alloy rivets, time expired rubber and crazed perspex MUST be preserved?”
If they are historic and able to be preserved – Yes they should – it’s not all about the holy dollar/pound – history is important. Provinance is just Marketing bunkem by an industry trying to maintain inflated prices and thats why the past is scrapped.
“There has been no significant consumption of quality Spitfire engineered parts to the patterning process that I am aware of.”
I am surprised that you can say that, however the world is not just about Spits but I have witnessed large chunks of a Spit which could have been very high quality static rebuild material scrapped and there are pics to prove it – no I am not happy to display them here but if you must I will drag them out and send them over to you.
I really fail to see where you are headed on this or previous threads
Answer these questions
1) Do you want to see as many new build Spits in the air as possible – Ground up new builds.
2) Do you want to see as much historic material as can be salvaged from a wreck utilised in a static rebuild.
They are the basis of my discussion, and as I want both the answer to both from me is yes.
If you answer yes then there is no disagreement
Regards
John P
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