Brand new spitfires to be recovered

[peterb]

Towards the end of WW2 a number of brand new crated spitfires were buried in Burma to reduce the risk of them falling into Japanese hands.

The location was discovered some time ago, but the political situation in Burma prevented their excavation and repatriation.

However, the recent elections and easing of diplomatic relations means that recovery may take place. The aircraft were never assembled and are thought to be in their original wrapping and could mean that they are in near pristine condition, meaning restoration to flying condition is a real possibilty - maybe another squadron of Spitfires will take to the skies?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ned-to-UK.html

[dave87]

Very good news - as I understand it the few remaining original Spitfires are only rated for a certain number of flight hours, and they must be reaching that point by now?


I was at Duxford a few years ago, and saw a number of Spitfires flying. It was commented at the time it was likely to be the last time that number would be seen in the air at the same time. Hopefully with this discovery, that won't necessarily be the case.

[chuckskull]

Hope they find them and they're well packed. Love seeing those things fly, beautiful sight and the noise is just trouser tightening.

[g8ina]

wow, thats amazing news !!

[neonplanet40]

Would be good to have them in time for the opening ceremony of the Olympics

[hnosyalnif]

Great news. Would be great to see them flying again. Can't beat that sound.

[TheAnimus]

Very good news - as I understand it the few remaining original Spitfires are only rated for a certain number of flight hours, and they must be reaching that point by now?

There are a few still flying where the enthusiasts make any of the parts required.

Planes often have every component completely replaced in their life, leaving no original fixture!

[Zak33]

There are a few still flying where the enthusiasts make any of the parts required.

Planes often have every component completely replaced in their life, leaving no original fixture!

the spitfire at Old Warden has only come apart fully for the first time since it was orinally built v recently. I saw inside her wings as the cross sections were being inspected ony about 3 years ago.

[Zak33]

there are actually quite a lot of Spitfires flying now...

http://www.military-airshows.co.uk/spitaw.htm
scroll through that lot.

What we need is Hurricanes.. and Bf109's and to be honest... IL-2's and Yak9's

[Zak33]

more of this

[spac3d]

This is really awesome. I cannot believe that people used to fly these and actually do well with them. It would be like trying to play Counter-Strike with 20FPS and a really crappy ball-mouse full of fluff. I have the utmost respect for anyone in the RAF et al, today and yesterday.

I think this video sums it all up, (NSFW language 'f*ck me')

[peterb]

Would be good to have them in time for the opening ceremony of the Olympics

Well it would, but as they were buried 40' deep, they might take a while, and while they were protected, I guess building them and cheking the components is going to take a while.

There should be some good documentaries though!

[weta]

It's rumoured that a number of new and used Spitfires are still buried around Oakley in Queensland (see link).

http://vimeo.com/groups/documentaryfilm/videos/10947064

The Spitfires were part of a large parcel of aircraft sent to Australia after the war to be scrapped.

[chuckskull]

Found and gotten permission to dig them up and bring them home.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ing-years.html

Back in the air in 3 years they reckon.

[weta]

Great news, I'm sure Red Bull will sponsor one or two of the Spitfires.

[Smudger]

Sadly, things aren't looking good...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21074699