AVSPECS and the Mark V Spitfire

[Gavin Conroy]

I recently made two trips to Ardmore to visit the AVSPECS team and to see the Mark V fly.
I must take my hat off to the team of people who rebuilt the aircraft.
Wal Denholm and his team have created history with what is I believe the best restored aircraft on the warbird circuit.
The guys really have a bond with the aeroplane and the workmanship is first class.
Their is no question in my mind that the aircraft will be a winner at Oshkosh as the restoration and detail is just stunning.

I will post some photos when I am able but for now thank you to the AVSPECS team for allowing us to see a Mark V briefly fly in NZ.

The other highlight of the trip as meeting up with the forum members.
This forum has created something rather special and good to catch up with you Dave and thanks Colin for putting up with me for the night.

I am so pleased to have been able to see the aircraft and look forward to seeing the response from the US fraternity when the aircraft first appears there.

Wal and I organized a group photo of the team and one of the AVSPECS guys asked "Where do we find an eleven" and that about sums it up.

Well Done guys and we all look forward to seeing more stunning restorations.

[Radialicious]

Mike Nicholls viewed the aircraft a few months ago and he echoes what you said Gav. I wish I could have seen her myself to get an understanding of exactly what he was talking about. A top effort from AVSPECS.

[Dave Homewood]

I agree Gav, it is a stunning restoration, especially when you see the photos of what the aircraft started as when its previous owners began the long journey that has finally culminated this past week. It's a real credit to the Avspecs team, and it is so nice to know they were treated to a decent flying display on Friday too as according to Andy they rarely get to see their finished products displayed like that due to the busy nature of the airfield.

I'm sure the aircraft will get a great reception in the USA when it arrives.

I also agree that it was great to catch up with several forum members during my two trips north to see the Spit. On Saturday we not only saw the Spitfire fly, but two other favorites of mine, the Mustang ZK-TAF and the Thunder Mustang. It was nice to briefly call in and see Simon and Chris and all at the new hangar, and also pleasing to meet another legendary Tiger Moth and Hunter display pilot, Dave Phillips, as well as aerobatic pilot Dave O'Brien.

That's what I love about Ardmore, the friendly, welcoming and relaxed nature where members of the public and fans of the aircraft are made to feel at home and part of the scene there. It's a great place with great people.