SuperMarine Spifire is "Deadly Military Machine"
 

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.

Do the replica guns work? If that's the issue he should just permanently seal the barrels.

Well, looking at the bright side of it - at least it's a flattering description for the bird :D

Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain ;)

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:

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.

Actually it'll probably be pressed into service to beef up their air force http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3...gglebigtb9.gif

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

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...deckerEIII.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)

Latest ordnance.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2...orceby6vl2.jpg

Aw, ya beat meh.

LOL http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3...gglebigtb9.gif

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5158/winkbigid2.gif

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.

Just ask the N.Z. Airforce to bring it over. Oh, wait, what airforce?????:doh:


:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

A new addition http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6...wyaydh5wc2.gif

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8...irforcefg5.jpg