TV ........Guy Martins Spitfire

[Andy_99]

The fuselage , wings, engine, electrics, controls, etc. are all brand new and if they had all been replaced over the last 70 odd years had this Spit had survived the war, there would be no question that this was the same aircraft.

It just happens that it has been done in a shorter period.

The result is that one more Spitfire is in the air due to the focus on the pieces of N3200 wrecked on the Dunkirk beach.

That can't be bad.

Agree 1 more spit back into the air is always a top result

[paddyboy]

Great programme with a great end result

I can remember talking to a very young John Romain years ago when his hair had some colour

At least he still has his

Paddyboy

[bizfreeq]

Really enjoyed the show and Guy Martin was an excellent presenter. However, I do get tired when every show about WW2 wastes time explaining historical events eg. the need for the Dunkirk evacuation. I'd rather see more about the actual restoration. Having said that it was nothing like Channel 5 documentaries, which often waste most of the programme talking about how the war started! Maybe it's me just being an old fart!

Not everyone is as aware or clued up about WWII as some of us on here may be. It has to be appreciated that these programmes are aimed at the general populace rather than military or aviation enthusiasts such as my or your self. They are, therefore, always going to repeat info that we have seen many times before simply because we watch as many of these documentaries as we can,whereas the average person on the street will only perhaps watch one or two in a long period of time.
As with yourself though I thoroughly enjoyed the programme,especially his enthusiasm!

[beefsteak]

First was the fact that they kept insisting that they were restoring an old Mk1 that went down at Dunkirk when in fact they are actually just building a new Mk 1 Spitfire from scratch, so there is absolutely no way in gods green acre that they can claim it's the oldest flying Spit in existence. (Not one piece of it came from the original)

Apparently all they need is the original constructor's plate to do a "rebuild", I agree with you - it's basically a brand-new aircraft !

There's a Mustang kicking about in the USA somewhere that's been completely "rebuilt" 5(?) times and has been involved in 2 fatal crashes - work that one out.

I didn't know that, thanks, as they say. "Every days a schoolday"

[Sparts99]

I know of a Spitfire Mk V fuselage in the UK with the serial number stencilled inside, the data plate is on a flying Spitfire abroad carrying the same serial. The data plate gives a point of reference for the history of the airframe, makes it traceable so to speak. But to me there seems no reason not to 'run off' a few new builds, must be possible these days assuming engines can be found, or maybe they too could be built from scratch ?

[Tailplane]

Well, like Paddyboy, I've been around for many years. My wife reminded me about the programme, but, knowing the history of this aircraft,and being on a nodding relationship with Cliff Spink and John Romain, I decided not to watch it. Great for youngsters, but, like all television these days,been there, seen it before etc., I went to Dancing Club tonight, everybody asked me if I had seen this amazing Spitfire programme. Ah well

You've got another chance to see it tonight on 4seven at 0005, or like I did, on 4OD, at a more sensible, anytime of day.

[TankBuster]

This was a very good programme, and well worth a watch.

I have to agree though that this Spitfire is clearly a new build from original drawings, and there certainly didn't appear to be any parts used from the original aircraft.
The remains of the original aircraft were very heavily corroded, but were probably very useful for cross referencing during the new build.
I do very much admire the skill and patience of the ARCO team who built the Spit, as every part of it was made to absolute perfection!

TankBuster