U.K. Spitfire Fanatic Builds A Replica, Mostly From Household Materials

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David Price, 58, has constructed a model of a Supermarine Mark IX Spitfire. All the work was performed inside a tent in his backyard. The Carlisle, Cumbria (U.K.) resident used original wheels, a surplus canopy and some instruments from real Spitfires, but the rest came from household materials. For example, the control column is made of wood and a milk bottle cap serves as the cap for the radiator coolant.

A military historian, Price knew just what he wanted, and built his Spitfire to match the Mk IX flown by Royal Air Force Squadron Leader James Hayter, DFC.

The construction log included about 3,000 hours of sweat equity and cost about $11,020, according to the Daily Mail newspaper. Price would like to sell his masterpiece for $34,500, hoping the buyer would let the replica Spitfire stay in the nearby Solway Aviation Museum in Carlisle.

Mark Phelps
Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Delightfully eccentric thing to do, bravo to him. The American guys who built the flying replica just take my breath away for their audacious and amazing achievement. With all the crappy stuff going on in the world, it is heartening to see what adventurous EAA members get up to. Our UK CAA has stated an ambition to make the UK “the best place in the world for GA”. We who fly in the UK are bewildered by this and wonder if anyone in our CAA has even been to America, the place which IS the best country in the world for GA. Long may it remain so!

  2. Hi James B, great youtube video you had enclosed.
    I know Bob from our Hughes AirWest Airlines flying days – great guy – thanks for that video !

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