Perfect Paint Job!

[Pathfinder]

http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/onlin ... re-2a.aspx

[The Inspector]

That is a true time capsule, equal to finding the first Hemi 'CUDA in a barn under a tarp-I wouldn't touch a thing on it.

[Ken]

I love it. When I see something like this Spitfire, the Dottie Mae, or Flak Bait, the subtle differences in finish and detailing matter. When I see the effort that goes into getting something like Happy Jacks Go Buggy or SNAFU to look as if it were such a time capsule, it still matters.

Thank you for sharing!

[Dan Jones]

Something doesn't smell right...

[Pogo]

May be ....... but I sure liked what Ken said.

[Fouga23]

If I remember correctly, that cockpit is a recreation incorporating parts from the real aircraft. The original parts are unpainted (yes, that much ). Basically you're buying an identity for rebuild.

Last edited by Fouga23 on Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bgp429]

There is also a NOS Merlin 225 in the same auction.

[Dan Jones]

It's the wrong windshield for a MkII, for openers.

[bomberflight]

More info about this airframe found here :- http://www.spitfires.talktalk.net/A7_Sp ... K_IIa.html

I wonder how much of this material would remain in an airworthy restoration .....

[The Inspector]

During the war, as I understand it, a damaged SPITFIRE would be sent to a repair facility and while being repaired would also go through upgrades so a Mk II could get enough upgrading and different mark engine and emerge as a Mk V. A very clever and creative way to make the most with the limited resources available and as long a the basic airframe didn't vary much, pretty easy to do.

[Dan Jones]

During the war, as I understand it, a damaged SPITFIRE would be sent to a repair facility and while being repaired would also go through upgrades so a Mk II could get enough upgrading and different mark engine and emerge as a Mk V. A very clever and creative way to make the most with the limited resources available and as long a the basic airframe didn't vary much, pretty easy to do.

That's a good point and might explain the windshield. It's hard to tell from the pictures but it just looks a little phoney to me, like it's a mock up or something with the odd bit of original metal hung on it (look at the lower firewall and the location of the ground power access door).

[Mike Halbrook]

The most valuable thing here is the identity. This is a fairly well known aircraft, and the CAA would consider it to be a "rebuild" of the same aircraft. So about
L 150,000 for "provenance".

[Steve Nelson]

Hmmmm..if we're just talking about the markings that it most definitely NOT the original wartime paint. The camouflage and markings have obviously been applied with a brush, and the fuselage codes on a Dark Earth/Dark Green aircraft would be gray, not white. The second link has a wartime photo of the aircraft, and the codes and insignia are noticeably different style and color. Not to mention, if it was still being flown in the spring of 1943 (as its history indicates) it would have long since been repainted in the later Gray/Green camo, with Sky codes and the later style insignia.

Reading the second link, it appears that Fouga23 is correct, it's mostly a reproduction incorporating some original parts. A cool project to be sure, but not a "time capsule" by a long shot.

SN

[Ken]

Assuming you guys are right and it is not a time capsule, then I'm the first to say, "no problem, let's move on". I still love time capsules and the "time capsule" look, though.

[k5083]

This actually points up the value added by the much maligned "paint police." Any colors-and-markings buff can take one look at that artifact and tell you it ain't no time capsule. It helps to unmask things that are being held out as more than what they are.

August