Mk 1 Spitfire for sale, $5.3 Million US!

[warbird2]

http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!__spitfire1a

Platinum Fighters has a Mk 1 Spitfire for sale for $5,295,000. I know the ideal price for an airplane is somewhere between what the seller wants and what the buyer will pay but this price seems to be a little ridiculas. Even if I had that much money I do not think I would spend it on a Spitfire! I love them but I do not love them that much!

[cwmc]

Mk I's and II's are more expensive than any others.
Chris...

[Warbird Kid]

I said it on Facebook when this broke and I'll say it here: I think the BBMF should somehow, someway get the chance to operate this one.

[warbird2]

I said it on Facebook when this broke and I'll say it here: I think the BBMF should somehow, someway get the chance to operate this one.

and all it will take is a check for $5,295,000. Maybe they could take the money being used for the royal wedding. Or maybe a trade for the Lancaster or one of the other late model Spitfires that have nothing to do with the Battle of Britain. Do not get me wrong I love the Lancaster and I am glad they have kept it flying all these years but I have never seen the connection to the Battle of Britain.

[Warbird Kid]

Do not get me wrong I love the Lancaster and I am glad they have kept it flying all these years but I have never seen the connection to the Battle of Britain.

Ya know, I've thought about that myself. I guess it has to do with the "shock and awe" effect that has to do with seeing an airplane with four merlins strapped to it, let alone the other seven fighters following it. Though it would be nice to see a Blenheim attached to the group. Or even a new-build Defiant?!

Now what about the German equivalent?

[bdk]

Certainly doesn't hurt to ask that much! Simon and his partner have a long history of connecting willing buyers and sellers. Hopefully this one will find a new home near me where it can be displayed often!

[JohnTerrell]

I liked a quip I read elsewhere a while back about the timing of this sale...something along the lines of "getting in before the other Mk.I's take flight"...at this time there is an extremely small market for airworthy Spitfires of the type, Mk.I or Mk.II (this being the sole airworthy example in private hands of either), but that might not last much longer in the coming months/years.

Taking the radiator/temperature habits of the Mk.I into consideration, I wonder how much the potential buyer will take into account the location as to which it will live - preferably right on a runway I should imagine.

(BTW, I hadn't checked on the Platinum Fighters website for a while - a very nice combat-vet P-40N they have awaiting purchase there! And a very nice Firefly as well. Prices seem to be right where I'd expect to see them. The prices on the Spitifre Mk.I and Hurricane might not seem as high if it weren't for the dollar being as weak as it is against the pound.)

[Invader26]

Old Ferraris go for more.....

* sorry about the US$ sinking...

[ArtS]

Some Old Ferraris go for more. Only those of the right type, with the right history hit the upper numbers. The rest are in the T-6 range, with similar (or higher) restoration costs...

Very cool plane. Does anyone know how many other Mk-Is or IIs are under restoration? How many came out of Russia?

Regards,

Art S.

[Russ Blow]

I am still trying to scare up the money.

I am almost there! At this rate another say 300 years and she will be mine!

[b29flteng]

It's got the wrong radiator under the left wing, why????

It should be a small round type. The one that's on the plane looks like a Mk.9/16 type radiator. Are the wings from a Mk.9/16?

[Sopwith]

b29flteng ,it hasn't got the wrong radiator under the port wing,I think what you were looking at was the video clip of MH434 at the bottom of the advert and that is a mk9 hence the confusion.I don't really understand why they put that clip in the ad as there is plenty of footage of AR213 flying.

[Jerry O'Neill]

To be honest, I like cars but I'm not a car guy, so if i had my choice and I had an extra $5+million lying around, I'd buy the Spit over a Ferrari ANYDAY!
Jerry

[Obergrafeter]

Probably to hot in Texas for a Mk1.

[DarenC1]

Does anyone know how many other Mk-Is or IIs are under restoration? How many came out of Russia?

Regards,

Art S.

Three Mk.Is that I can think of in the UK, two of them at Duxford (or possibly all three).

There are a couple of Mk.II projects registered in the UK that will be long-term.

I don't think Russia was ever equipped with Mk.Is. Mk.Vs and IXs, yes, and some recce variants, but no fighter Mk.Is.