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View Full Version : SuperMarine Spifire is "Deadly Military Machine"

AkbarGulag
02-23-08, 09:53 PM
A Spitfire (working order), purchased in the U.S by a N.Z aircraft enthusiast, has missed the "Mecrury Bay Shell Airshow" this weekend and is now likely to miss our much loved "Warbirds Over Wanaka" airshow in march.

The plane was impounded by U.S customs officials due to it being classified as a "Deadly Military Machine". The aircraft, built in 1943 is now in the same category as an F-16 Fighter Jet with regard to export. According to the purchaser, Doug Brooker "My guess is the same thing would happen to a WWI aircraft".

The Spitfire, that Doug paid a "Very Reasonable" sum for, comes complete with replica wing mounted machine guns and is painted to represent the spitfire, flown by American Major Robert Levine of the 4th Fighter Squadron of the middle east, during WWII.

Doug was hopeing the plane would be realeased for the Warbirds over Wanaka in march, but admitted "It was getting pretty tight". Doug has been a fan of Spitfires since reading the 'Biggles' books as a child.
RickC Sniper
02-23-08, 10:10 PM
Do the replica guns work? If that's the issue he should just permanently seal the barrels.
CCIP
02-23-08, 10:11 PM
Well, looking at the bright side of it - at least it's a flattering description for the bird :D
Kapitan_Phillips
02-23-08, 11:03 PM
Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain ;)
AkbarGulag
02-23-08, 11:20 PM
The article does not mention if the guns actually work, but they may/may not. It sounds like bureaucratic red tape and should be resolved at some point.

Its good to see some of these still flying, NZ will be a great home for it, theres a really strong Vintage aircraft community here with plenty of spares. And in time of crisis, we may need them to cover our troops :lol:

It's a poorly gaurded secret here that the vintage aircraft community has 'assisted' the navy etc.. with mock target :yep:
TarJak
02-24-08, 07:08 AM
I must organise a trip over to Wanaka for the WoW. I've seen plenty of vids and photo's and they defintately get a good turn out for it. One of the few vintage warbird shows going and from what I hear one of the best.
Jimbuna
02-24-08, 10:46 AM
Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain ;)

Actually it'll probably be pressed into service to beef up their air force http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3060/gigglebigtb9.gif
Oberon
02-24-08, 01:09 PM
Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain ;)

Actually it'll probably be pressed into service to beef up their air force http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3060/gigglebigtb9.gif

Expect to see it doing raids over Baghdad before long ;)
Stealth Hunter
02-24-08, 02:00 PM
You know they had a case like this a few years back? It was about a Fokker Eindecker, however. They called it a "potentially deadly machine" and said that it would not be allowed to enter the country. Shame, too.


http://www.ultralightnews.com/ssulbg/images/airdromeaeroplanes-eindeckerEIII.jpg


Yeah, that's... r-really deadly... What top speed does that thing have? What is it- like 80 MPH? Bet this thing can pull like a fourth of a G. Jesus Christ Almighty! It could kill hundreds!:rotfl::rotfl::roll::88)
Jimbuna
02-24-08, 02:13 PM
Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain ;)

Actually it'll probably be pressed into service to beef up their air force http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3060/gigglebigtb9.gif

Expect to see it doing raids over Baghdad before long ;)

Latest ordnance.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/263/nzairforceby6vl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Stealth Hunter
02-24-08, 02:19 PM
Aw, ya beat meh.
Jimbuna
02-24-08, 02:28 PM
LOL http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3060/gigglebigtb9.gif

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5158/winkbigid2.gif
JSLTIGER
02-24-08, 04:35 PM
If the machine guns can be operated, that seems reasonable to me, though if they can't be fired, I fail to see the problem.
bookworm_020
02-24-08, 04:44 PM
Just ask the N.Z. Airforce to bring it over. Oh, wait, what airforce?????:doh:


:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Jimbuna
02-24-08, 05:45 PM
A new addition http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6282/uowyaydh5wc2.gif

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8048/dutchairforcefg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
CCIP
02-24-08, 05:51 PM
Just don't let the Kiwis get their hands on one of these killing machines!

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/882/turtle0hf7.jpg
FIREWALL
02-24-08, 05:52 PM
The only thing that plane could kill is more likely the pilot :rotfl:


http://www.ultralightnews.com/ssulbg/images/airdromeaeroplanes-eindeckerEIII.jpg
JSLTIGER
02-24-08, 06:39 PM
Didn't Bleriot cross the Channel in a monoplane?
AkbarGulag
02-24-08, 10:13 PM
A new addition http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6282/uowyaydh5wc2.gif

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8048/dutchairforcefg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It also leaves a smaller carbon footprint :p
bookworm_020
02-24-08, 10:37 PM
What? the pilot can peddle to increase thrust???;)
Stealth Hunter
02-25-08, 01:30 AM
Didn't Bleriot cross the Channel in a monoplane?

Yep.:88)
HunterICX
02-25-08, 04:43 AM
Watch out Germany!
the leopard is going to get their asses kicked by this Machine of destruction!

just look at the sloped armor!

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9007/machinetk2.jpg

HunterICX
Jimbuna
02-25-08, 06:00 AM
What? the pilot can peddle to increase thrust???;)

Sometimes they engage the afterburner.....but only when the pilot is a spider :lol:
AkbarGulag
02-25-08, 08:48 AM
In all fairness thats only one of our fighters. On the two man version, the extra person can also pedal while dropping hand grenades.


We tried selling our old Skyhawks, but the U.S government keeps blocking the sale... something to do with the contract we signed back in the 60's or whenever we bought those things. I used to run past them during training. It's 10km around that damn airfield ^^