Spitfire to be auctioned in NZ

[Kyt]

CFP: Spitfire to be sold by Bonhams and Goodman

A 1945 Supermarine Spitfire MK XVI is to star in Bonhams & Goodman’s inaugural sale of Collectors’ Motor Cars and Aircraft in New Zealand on the 14th September.

The sale comes in a double anniversary year for military aircraft - it is the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force at the end of the First World War, and it is also exactly 70 years since the Spitfire first became operational in 1938.

Bonhams & Goodman are delighted to be offering the 1945 Supermarine Spitfire MK XVI in their inaugural sale of collectors’ motorcars in New Zealand. The Spitfire is the ultimate WWII fighter aircraft and its battles with the Messerschmitt 109s during the war combined with its easily recognisable wing shape and distinctive engine note (courtesy of, in most cases, a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine) earned it a legendary status during the Battle of Britain, a reputation that still stands today. It is believed that there are around 44 airworthy Spitfires surviving to this day although a number of air museums have examples on static display.

Tim Goodman, Chairman of Bonhams and Goodman, comments: ‘We are greatly honoured to be asked to sell such a distinguished and historic aircraft. As Bonhams is the last of the great international fine art auction houses to remain under British management, the sale of an aircraft so linked to the history and very survival of Great Britain has enormous significance for us here at Bonhams and Goodman.’

This historical aircraft (RAF Serial No. TE 330) was constructed at the Castle Bromwich works in late April 1945 and was accepted by RAF Cosford. After seeing active service with the RAF it was flown in the 1957 Battle of Britain Memorial flight before being donated to the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1959. It was displayed at the USAF academy in Colorado Springs until around 1997 when the Aircraft found its way to New Zealand via the Hong Kong based businessman James Slade. In 1997 an ongoing restoration of the aircraft was begun and in 1999 it was purchased by the present owners who have continued to restore the aircraft to its current near complete condition.

Rarely do original Spitfires surface on to the open market. ‘We are very excited to have discovered this important aircraft in New Zealand,’ enthuses Robert Glover, National Head of Collectors’ Motor Cars at Bonhams & Goodman. ‘Whilst we are more used to selling machines with four wheels and no wings, aircraft design and motor car design are inextricably linked, indeed a large number of aircraft collectors are also motor car collectors. It is fitting that this year celebrates 70 years since the Spitfire started production of which this aircraft is such an important part of its history.’

AUCTION:
Collectors’ Motor Cars and Aircraft
Sunday 14 September
The World of Wearable Arts and Classic Car Museum
95 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook
Nelson, NZ

[Ferhilt]

I wish I had the money for one of these. I have always wanted to fly a prop fighter.

[Nostalgair]

We can always dream Steve.

Cheers

Owen

[Ferhilt]

I'll have to settle for flight simulators and museums :}

[Brian S]

In most cases"A Rolls Royce Merlin Engine."

I think in this case they will find "A Rolls Royce Gryphon Engine" would be a more apt description.

Alex Henshaw considered the Spitfire was no longer the Spitfire after the Mk 1X.

[Antipodean Andy]

This is the aircraft that was on display at the USAFM for many years before being acquired by Murray Griffiths as part of the exchange for the Beaufighter, IIRC. He then sold it to James Slade. For some reason I thought the Subritzky family owned her now. They've got better things to do like continue restoring their Oxford!

[Kyt]

Spitfire sell for $2.8 million at auction | Otago Daily Times Online

A Chinese buyer today paid $NZ2.8 million* at a Nelson auction for a Spitfire, World War 2's most famous fighter aircraft.

TV3 News said tonight the price was an auction world record for a Spitfire.

The auction was staged by Australian company Bonhams and Goodman, an offshoot of London-based Bonhams.

The Mark XVI Spitfire has been owned for the past decade by Auckland's Subritzky family, which restored the fighter to near flyable condition.

News agency Bloomberg's website tonight reported the aircraft had been bought by North China Shipping Holdings Co chairman Yan-Ming Gao, who planned to donate it to the China Aviation Museum in Beijing.

The auction, at Nelson's Museum of Wearable Art and Classic Cars, also featured a number of classic cars.

* for our international members - £1.037 million, US$ 1.856 million, Aus$2.272 million or €1.309 million

[GGjen]

Originally Posted by Ferhilt

I'll have to settle for flight simulators and museums :}

Same for me.

[Kyt]

Aircraft enthusiast has bomber in sights - The Marlborough Express: local, national & world news from Marlborough's daily newspaper

A Chinese buyer might have shot down Edward Hayward-Smith's dream of seeing a Spitfire soaring across Marlborough skies, but the Blenheim vintage aircraft enthusiast has not lost his drive to secure a piece of aviation history for the region.

Mr Hayward-Smith suggested in May an Auckland-based 1944 Spitfire Mk XVI could be purchased by a Marlborough syndicate and put on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

The former fighter aircraft was originally destined for the heritage centre when it first came to New Zealand from the United States more than a decade ago.

However, Mr Hayward-Smith's hopes were dashed at the weekend when the Spitfire, which has been on the market for several months, was snapped up by a Chinese group for $2.8 million. The group intend to display the aircraft at a museum in Beijing.

Mr Hayward-Smith said he was disappointed the Spitfire had slipped from New Zealand's grasp.

However, he would now shift his attention to securing a Missouri-based 1941 Bristol Blenheim IV, or Blenheim Bomber.

Mr Hayward-Smith said about 30 investors had expressed interest in being part of a syndicate to buy the Spitfire and he hoped they would now consider buying into a Bomber. He would meet with investors next week.

Heritage centre trustee Graham Orphan said they were still keen to work with Mr Hayward-Smith on securing another, cheaper, slice of World War 2 aviation history.

"We're really open to support for other options, such as the bomber ... whatever it is now is the time to do it so it would be here for the (Classic Fighters) airshow.

"If we had the money the bomber could be here by Christmas."

Blenheim Bombers had a strong connection to New Zealand. Many Kiwi pilots had trained in them, Mr Orphan said.

Among those with links to the plane were a pair of Marlborough-based WW2 veterans who attended Battle of Britain commemorations in Blenheim on Sunday.

The heritage centre has put a deposit down on the Missouri-based bomber, but still needs $100,000 to secure it as a restoration project.

Safe Air, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and Base Woodbourne have already indicated their support for the project.

Restoring the plane to flying condition could take several years, depending on the level of outside support. The cost was also dependant on support but would not be more than $500,000, Mr Orphan said.

The plane would then be one of just two flying Blenheim Bombers in the world.

"It really depends what can be done here ... this is a pretty special community in the aviation engineering area. You can get almost anything done here."