Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 26, 2006 19:06:12 GMT 12
Here is a report from The Australian newspaper about the deal. The date of its arrival in NZ is wrong (1988, not 1990) and they omit to mention the times that Rusty Leith has already been reunited with his aircraft courtesy of Sir Tim. But they're Aussies, aren't they!
Spitfire home from last Europe mission
Ryan Emery and Paige Taylor
April 25, 2006
ON Anzac Day 61 years ago, Australian pilot Russell Leith flew his last mission in a Spitfire Mark XVI over Holland.
Now the World War II plane has been restored, is airworthy and will be hangared in NSW.
The plane, used by Australia's 453 Squadron in Britain, was bought by New Zealand aviation entrepreneur Tim Wallis and shipped to New Zealand in 1990.
Sydney businessman David Lowy wanted to reunite the plane with the Diggers who flew it, putting together a deal to buy it from Sir Tim for the Temora Aviation Museum in NSW.
From June, the plane will be housed at the museum, founded by Mr Lowy, whose family runs the Westfield shopping centre empire. "We are very proud to be able to make this happen," Mr Lowy said. "The plane has incredible historical significance to Australia.
"(We are pleased) to be able to preserve it for people who went into battle in defence of Australia, and generally our values ... also to keep it for future generations. We intend to keep it flying."
The museum's chief executive, Kenny Love, who would not reveal the sale price, said airworthy Spitfires could sell for $1.9 million to $2.8million.
Mr Leith, who holds a Distinguished Flying Cross and is a Member in the Order of Australia, agreed that the plane belonged in Australia and said he wanted to reunite with other Spitfire pilots when the plane took to the skies in August.
"It's sort of come home in a strange way and that's why I want to have the reunion," Mr Leith said from his home in Perth yesterday.
Mr Leith first flew the plane on March 30, 1945, on bombing raids across the English Channel into Holland. His squadron and three others - another Australian and two RAF - flew Spitfires that had been fitted with bombs so they could take out German V2 rocket launchers.
On April 25, his last mission in the Spitfire, he wrote: "Led squadron on last operation in European theatre of war."
Source:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18920731-31477,00.html
Spitfire home from last Europe mission
Ryan Emery and Paige Taylor
April 25, 2006
ON Anzac Day 61 years ago, Australian pilot Russell Leith flew his last mission in a Spitfire Mark XVI over Holland.
Now the World War II plane has been restored, is airworthy and will be hangared in NSW.
The plane, used by Australia's 453 Squadron in Britain, was bought by New Zealand aviation entrepreneur Tim Wallis and shipped to New Zealand in 1990.
Sydney businessman David Lowy wanted to reunite the plane with the Diggers who flew it, putting together a deal to buy it from Sir Tim for the Temora Aviation Museum in NSW.
From June, the plane will be housed at the museum, founded by Mr Lowy, whose family runs the Westfield shopping centre empire. "We are very proud to be able to make this happen," Mr Lowy said. "The plane has incredible historical significance to Australia.
"(We are pleased) to be able to preserve it for people who went into battle in defence of Australia, and generally our values ... also to keep it for future generations. We intend to keep it flying."
The museum's chief executive, Kenny Love, who would not reveal the sale price, said airworthy Spitfires could sell for $1.9 million to $2.8million.
Mr Leith, who holds a Distinguished Flying Cross and is a Member in the Order of Australia, agreed that the plane belonged in Australia and said he wanted to reunite with other Spitfire pilots when the plane took to the skies in August.
"It's sort of come home in a strange way and that's why I want to have the reunion," Mr Leith said from his home in Perth yesterday.
Mr Leith first flew the plane on March 30, 1945, on bombing raids across the English Channel into Holland. His squadron and three others - another Australian and two RAF - flew Spitfires that had been fitted with bombs so they could take out German V2 rocket launchers.
On April 25, his last mission in the Spitfire, he wrote: "Led squadron on last operation in European theatre of war."
Source:
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18920731-31477,00.html
