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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 11, 2007 9:07:57 GMT 12
I quite like the desert scheme, it's something different. Not sure about the US markings though. A Malta scheme would be nice.
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Post by planeimages on Dec 11, 2007 9:09:04 GMT 12
This from the Key Publishing website:
“The Melton 2 seater was started way back in the 80's in Charles Churches time as a scratch build, believe the serial was something like DM001. It was sold to Harry Stenger who recently started to finish the project however to give the aircraft some "history" and covenance (sic) provenance (not to mention extra $ value) he purchased a Spitfire firewall with the MH367 plate on it. They popped the plate off the firewall and stuck it on the 2 seater and hey presto an aircraft rebuild with instant history! Somewhat frowned upon by certain people in the UK historic aircraft rebuilding circles I would think!”
Whatever the origins it looks like a Spitfire T MKIX, flies like one and I’ll bet sounds like one.
This one uses the “Grace in-line” cockpit conversion rather than the bulbous original fitted to the T.MKVIII and the factory-built TMKIXs.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Dec 11, 2007 10:25:05 GMT 12
That's fantastic, looking forward to seeing it grace our skies!
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Post by phil82 on Dec 11, 2007 10:43:18 GMT 12
I quite like the desert scheme, it's something different. Not sure about the US markings though. A Malta scheme would be nice. The Americans did fly some Spitfires, in the UK and Italy from memory, but I don't know about that colour scheme.... They certainly didn't have a two-seater.
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Post by Bruce on Dec 11, 2007 11:00:32 GMT 12
The colour scheme is an accurate reproduction of a single seat mark Vb, Hasegawa even have it as a decal option on one of thier kitsets.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 11, 2007 14:14:16 GMT 12
Congratulations Richard on your purchase of ZK-NUT is a lovely beast and I can't think of a better aerobatics pilot for it to pass on to after Doug's ownership. It's also great to see it will remain in NZ.
Awesome photo of the Spitfire, Peter.
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Post by p40fanatic on Dec 12, 2007 20:58:07 GMT 12
That is amazing! Fantastic news! Man......definitely gotta go to Wanaka now..... My sincerest congrats to Doug! And my most sincere jealous thoughts to you Aucklanders! How long until warbird adventure flights are go?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 13, 2007 14:55:04 GMT 12
How long until warbird adventure flights are go? Apart from the flights already provided by the Mustang, Trojan, Catalina and Dakota you mean?
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Post by p40fanatic on Dec 13, 2007 17:33:43 GMT 12
The Trojan does flights? I'm SO there!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 14, 2007 11:26:51 GMT 12
I think it does anyway, it looked like it was giving rides the other day when I was at Ardmore. Hopefully someone else can confirm. If not, sorry to get your hopes up.
It would be great if some of the WWI machines began giving tourist flights for a whole different sort of experience. Might that ever happen?
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Post by p40fanatic on Jan 17, 2008 18:09:41 GMT 12
So...with several airshows on the horizon, I thought it time to resurrect this thread about what is, in my mind at least, one of the more significant warbird imports of recent times.
Any new news? Doug?
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Post by DragonflyDH90 on Jan 17, 2008 18:21:30 GMT 12
Early Feb at this stage.
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Post by p40fanatic on Jan 18, 2008 16:48:49 GMT 12
Cheers Ryan!
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Post by tbf25o4 on Jan 29, 2008 13:45:29 GMT 12
It would be great to see the Spitfire repainted with the same basic desert colour scheme but with the markings of Wing Commander Colin Gray (New Zealands highest scoring air ace of WWII) He flew the Mk9 (from which this aircraft was converted) in North Africa. Details of his spitfires are available re serial numbers and codes
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 30, 2008 12:38:11 GMT 12
That's a nice idea Paul.
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Post by p40fanatic on Feb 7, 2008 14:03:02 GMT 12
Well, just read today in NZ Aviation news, I mean, AeroNews, that Doug intends to display the lady at Ohakea's open day next month. Now, I was already planning on attending, but this is tremendous news! Looking forward to seeing her in action in my own backyard.
Incidentally, I remember someone mentioning Feb 5 for arrival: so is she in-country now?
Re the paint idea, that's a great idea! Sure would make a great companion for the "Alan Deere" machine when that emerges. It's about time we had a machine to pay tribute to Mr Gray.
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Post by p40fanatic on Feb 13, 2008 12:14:35 GMT 12
Bump?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 15, 2008 11:15:26 GMT 12
I am told from a reliable source that the Spitfire has been tied up by US customs in the USA and has not yet left that country, and is unlikely to be at any airshows this season. Can anyone confirm this please?
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Post by stu on Feb 15, 2008 15:05:43 GMT 12
I am told from a reliable source that the Spitfire has been tied up by US customs in the USA and has not yet left that country, and is unlikely to be at any airshows this season. Can anyone confirm this please? I hope not.
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Post by vgp on Feb 15, 2008 17:30:20 GMT 12
sounds like the same Thing that happened with the Corsair a couple of years back that came out for the WOW show, Homeland security seem to be overly Paranoid as if someones going to wage a one spitfire(corsair) war or something it was held up at US Customs for while also.
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