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| What does it take to restore a World War Two Spitfire? | What does it take to restore a World War Two Spitfire? |
| (3 days later) | |
| A rare example of one of the world's most iconic aircraft, a Mark 1 Spitfire that was painstakingly restored after being shot down during World War Two will be sold at Christie's. | A rare example of one of the world's most iconic aircraft, a Mark 1 Spitfire that was painstakingly restored after being shot down during World War Two will be sold at Christie's. |
| While 22,500 Spitfires were originally built, just 56 are still airworthy, and most of these are later versions of the aircraft. There are only four Mark 1s still flying. | While 22,500 Spitfires were originally built, just 56 are still airworthy, and most of these are later versions of the aircraft. There are only four Mark 1s still flying. |
| Christie's Nic McElhatton says interest in the aircraft has been incredible: "The plane we're selling is very special." | Christie's Nic McElhatton says interest in the aircraft has been incredible: "The plane we're selling is very special." |
| The aircraft is expected to fetch up to £2.5m ($3.9m) but could easily go for more. "We've had a number of clients who've expressed serious interest. Anything is possible," says Nic. | The aircraft is expected to fetch up to £2.5m ($3.9m) but could easily go for more. "We've had a number of clients who've expressed serious interest. Anything is possible," says Nic. |
| The sale on 9 July has thrown the spotlight on Britain's burgeoning vintage aviation restoration scene. Air displays are increasingly popular - the demand to see examples of rare and often unique aircraft seems never to have been higher. | The sale on 9 July has thrown the spotlight on Britain's burgeoning vintage aviation restoration scene. Air displays are increasingly popular - the demand to see examples of rare and often unique aircraft seems never to have been higher. |
| There are now around 80 air shows a year in the UK from small locally-run events to big displays such as the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford and Flying Legends at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, which specialises in piston-engined aircraft, mainly from World War Two. | |
| "People do make really significant journeys from all over the world," says Jane Larcombe of The Fighter Collection, that runs Flying Legends. | |
| "There is a very big industry in the UK, building World War One and World War Two aircraft," says aviation historian Andy Saunders. | "There is a very big industry in the UK, building World War One and World War Two aircraft," says aviation historian Andy Saunders. |
| "Hidden away all round the country there are craftsmen, beavering away building remarkable aeroplanes." | "Hidden away all round the country there are craftsmen, beavering away building remarkable aeroplanes." |
| Back in May 1940, Spitfire P9374 was being flown by Flying Officer Peter Cazenove when he was shot-down. Successfully crash-landing on Calais beach he radioed: "Tell mother I'll be home for tea." | Back in May 1940, Spitfire P9374 was being flown by Flying Officer Peter Cazenove when he was shot-down. Successfully crash-landing on Calais beach he radioed: "Tell mother I'll be home for tea." |
| Sadly getting back home for tea took longer than he hoped. He was captured and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner. His Spitfire sank into the sands and was forgotten about. | Sadly getting back home for tea took longer than he hoped. He was captured and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner. His Spitfire sank into the sands and was forgotten about. |
| 'This thin red line' | 'This thin red line' |
| Then in 1980, winds and tides uncovered it again. Andy Saunders remembers getting an unexpected call from the manager of Calais hover port. | Then in 1980, winds and tides uncovered it again. Andy Saunders remembers getting an unexpected call from the manager of Calais hover port. |
| "He telephoned me out of the blue and I thought it was complete rubbish. But then he sent me the photos to prove it - it was pretty much intact when it emerged from the sand." | "He telephoned me out of the blue and I thought it was complete rubbish. But then he sent me the photos to prove it - it was pretty much intact when it emerged from the sand." |
| After languishing in storage, it was eventually bought by US billionaire and philanthropist Thomas Kaplan. | After languishing in storage, it was eventually bought by US billionaire and philanthropist Thomas Kaplan. |
| "I have always been a student of military history, it was a great passion from an early age - and in particular aviation history and the Battle of Britain," he says. | "I have always been a student of military history, it was a great passion from an early age - and in particular aviation history and the Battle of Britain," he says. |
| More pictures: rebuilding a Spitfire step-by-step | More pictures: rebuilding a Spitfire step-by-step |
| When he found the wrecks of two Mark 1 Spitfires, he decided to restore them both to flight - and to exactly as they had been when they crashed - with no compromises. | When he found the wrecks of two Mark 1 Spitfires, he decided to restore them both to flight - and to exactly as they had been when they crashed - with no compromises. |
| One was Peter Cazenove's Spitfire that is now being auctioned for the RAF Benevolent Fund and the big cat charity, Panthera. | One was Peter Cazenove's Spitfire that is now being auctioned for the RAF Benevolent Fund and the big cat charity, Panthera. |
| The other was flown by Geoffrey Stephenson, the commanding officer of 19 Squadron - based at Duxford - the first unit to be equipped with Spitfires. | The other was flown by Geoffrey Stephenson, the commanding officer of 19 Squadron - based at Duxford - the first unit to be equipped with Spitfires. |
| Mr Kaplan is giving this second plane to the aviation branch of the Imperial War Museum, which is now based at the same airfield. | Mr Kaplan is giving this second plane to the aviation branch of the Imperial War Museum, which is now based at the same airfield. |
| "For me it is a thank you to the UK - this thin red line separating us from barbarism - at a time when the United States was not in the war." | "For me it is a thank you to the UK - this thin red line separating us from barbarism - at a time when the United States was not in the war." |
| Battle of Britain: Myths and reality | Battle of Britain: Myths and reality |
| In 1940 it seemed that after the British army's evacuation from Dunkirk, and the fall of France, all that stood in the way of a German invasion was the RAF. | In 1940 it seemed that after the British army's evacuation from Dunkirk, and the fall of France, all that stood in the way of a German invasion was the RAF. |
| The Spitfire, designed by RJ Mitchell of Supermarine even as he was dying of cancer, came into frontline service just in time. | The Spitfire, designed by RJ Mitchell of Supermarine even as he was dying of cancer, came into frontline service just in time. |
| Intense air battles raged as the German air force, the Luftwaffe, tried to defeat the RAF as precursor to a possible landing. | Intense air battles raged as the German air force, the Luftwaffe, tried to defeat the RAF as precursor to a possible landing. |
| Eventually the Luftwaffe gave up and Hitler turned his attention towards Russia. So how close did Britain come to defeat? | Eventually the Luftwaffe gave up and Hitler turned his attention towards Russia. So how close did Britain come to defeat? |
| In popular myth, the RAF airfields were only spared because the Germans suddenly stopped bombing them and started attacking London instead. | In popular myth, the RAF airfields were only spared because the Germans suddenly stopped bombing them and started attacking London instead. |
| Yet historian Stephen Bungay, author of The Most Dangerous Enemy, says in reality the Germans never came close to victory. The Luftwaffe was not trained for the low-level, hit-and-run attacks which might have worn down Britain's defences. | Yet historian Stephen Bungay, author of The Most Dangerous Enemy, says in reality the Germans never came close to victory. The Luftwaffe was not trained for the low-level, hit-and-run attacks which might have worn down Britain's defences. |
| "We were out-producing Germany in fighters by more than two-to-one, and we had a repair organisation that was turning around damaged fighters faster than they were." | "We were out-producing Germany in fighters by more than two-to-one, and we had a repair organisation that was turning around damaged fighters faster than they were." |
| RAF Fighter Command's strength actually grew during the battle, and even had it been defeated, the Germans would have had to get past the Royal Navy. | RAF Fighter Command's strength actually grew during the battle, and even had it been defeated, the Germans would have had to get past the Royal Navy. |
| The true significance of the battle, says Stephen Bungay, is that it ensured Britain stayed in the war and helped shape the peace. | The true significance of the battle, says Stephen Bungay, is that it ensured Britain stayed in the war and helped shape the peace. |
| "If we'd gone out in 1940, the war would have been fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union - and the Red Army would have likely won. | "If we'd gone out in 1940, the war would have been fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union - and the Red Army would have likely won. |
| "Europe would have become part of a Soviet-dominated East, with Britain a marginalised satellite state and the US having far less influence and power in the world than it did." | "Europe would have become part of a Soviet-dominated East, with Britain a marginalised satellite state and the US having far less influence and power in the world than it did." |
| Find out more about the Battle of Britain | Find out more about the Battle of Britain |
| Lengthy restoration | Lengthy restoration |
| Both of Thomas Kaplan's Spitfires ended up at one of Europe's biggest aviation restoration specialists, The Aircraft Restoration Company (ARC) at Duxford. | |
| The hardest challenge was working out exactly what a Mark 1 Spitfire looked like, as records weren't often kept, says ARC engineer Martin Overall. | The hardest challenge was working out exactly what a Mark 1 Spitfire looked like, as records weren't often kept, says ARC engineer Martin Overall. |
| "They changed so rapidly and you'd find aircraft three or four months older that were completely different, because they'd been modified just to keep pace with German development. | "They changed so rapidly and you'd find aircraft three or four months older that were completely different, because they'd been modified just to keep pace with German development. |
| "We investigated several crash sites and gained a snapshot of what the aircraft would have been like." | "We investigated several crash sites and gained a snapshot of what the aircraft would have been like." |
| It took 12 engineers three years to restore it at a cost of several millions, though exactly how much nobody will say - but eventually Spitfire P9374 flew again. | It took 12 engineers three years to restore it at a cost of several millions, though exactly how much nobody will say - but eventually Spitfire P9374 flew again. |
| "It was just a breath-taking moment," says Andy Saunders. | "It was just a breath-taking moment," says Andy Saunders. |
| "Having seen the wreck when it came off the beach, I never dreamed it would be recreated and fly." | "Having seen the wreck when it came off the beach, I never dreamed it would be recreated and fly." |
| Besides restoring Spitfires, ARC regularly works on up to eight major restoration projects for clients. Manager John Romain says companies like his are helping preserve vital engineering skills. | Besides restoring Spitfires, ARC regularly works on up to eight major restoration projects for clients. Manager John Romain says companies like his are helping preserve vital engineering skills. |
| "There's a lot of old skill-sets in our industry, from sheet metalworkers to the electricians. There's a lot of interest in working with us now, so we have our own apprenticeship scheme which gives us our engineers of the future." | "There's a lot of old skill-sets in our industry, from sheet metalworkers to the electricians. There's a lot of interest in working with us now, so we have our own apprenticeship scheme which gives us our engineers of the future." |
| Restoration to re-manufacturing | Restoration to re-manufacturing |
| ARC is not the only company in the business. In Sussex a team of engineers at Retrotec specialise in restoring biplanes. | ARC is not the only company in the business. In Sussex a team of engineers at Retrotec specialise in restoring biplanes. |
| Over the past 28 years, the firm has restored a string of rare World War One and 1930s era aircraft. | Over the past 28 years, the firm has restored a string of rare World War One and 1930s era aircraft. |
| "We started off maintaining old aircraft, moved to restoration and repair, and now we are basically re-manufacturing aircraft," says owner Guy Black. | "We started off maintaining old aircraft, moved to restoration and repair, and now we are basically re-manufacturing aircraft," says owner Guy Black. |
| "The silver biplanes of the Thirties are a very romantic and important stage of aircraft development. | "The silver biplanes of the Thirties are a very romantic and important stage of aircraft development. |
| "They are also extremely beautiful aircraft, representing an era that will probably never happen again." | "They are also extremely beautiful aircraft, representing an era that will probably never happen again." |
| Silver machines - step inside a modern biplane factory | Silver machines - step inside a modern biplane factory |
| The company is now in effect an aircraft manufacturer in miniature: in its workshops its engineers carry out design work, metal work, airframe manufacturing, engine rebuilds, as well as woodwork and fabric covering. | The company is now in effect an aircraft manufacturer in miniature: in its workshops its engineers carry out design work, metal work, airframe manufacturing, engine rebuilds, as well as woodwork and fabric covering. |
| Currently Guy's team is working on a World War One DH9 bomber, one of a pair were in an elephant stables in India and brought back to the UK for restoration. | Currently Guy's team is working on a World War One DH9 bomber, one of a pair were in an elephant stables in India and brought back to the UK for restoration. |
| Nobody's ever restored such a plane to flight before, and Retrotec hopes to have it flying this year. | Nobody's ever restored such a plane to flight before, and Retrotec hopes to have it flying this year. |
| But when it comes to the aircraft engineers of the future, he says the lack of training in schools is a concern. | But when it comes to the aircraft engineers of the future, he says the lack of training in schools is a concern. |
| "There is very little training in practical engineering or practical woodwork," says Mr Black. "There seems to be a drive to ensure everyone has a degree in engineering, but there's very few people interested in doing hands-on work." | "There is very little training in practical engineering or practical woodwork," says Mr Black. "There seems to be a drive to ensure everyone has a degree in engineering, but there's very few people interested in doing hands-on work." |
| Spitfire handover | Spitfire handover |
| Back at Duxford, Thomas Kaplan plans to officially hand over Geoffrey Stephenson's Spitfire to the Imperial War Museum on 9 July, and then head down to London to watch Peter Cazenove's aircraft being auctioned off. | Back at Duxford, Thomas Kaplan plans to officially hand over Geoffrey Stephenson's Spitfire to the Imperial War Museum on 9 July, and then head down to London to watch Peter Cazenove's aircraft being auctioned off. |
| "To me it is all about 'The Few' who stood up and said - this is the line beyond which we won't be pushed." | "To me it is all about 'The Few' who stood up and said - this is the line beyond which we won't be pushed." |
| Rightly or wrongly the Spitfire, thank perhaps to those elliptical wings, easily outshines many other aircraft in people's affections. | Rightly or wrongly the Spitfire, thank perhaps to those elliptical wings, easily outshines many other aircraft in people's affections. |
| Says Christie's Nic McElhatton: "You look at the silhouette of a Spitfire and you recognize it instantly. | Says Christie's Nic McElhatton: "You look at the silhouette of a Spitfire and you recognize it instantly. |
| "It's timeless, it is the most perfect piece of engineering - a work of art." | "It's timeless, it is the most perfect piece of engineering - a work of art." |