SuperMarine Spifire is "Deadly Military Machine"

[AkbarGulag]

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.