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

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

It's a poorly gaurded secret here that the vintage aircraft community has 'assisted' the navy etc.. with mock target

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitan_Phillips

Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain

Actually it'll probably be pressed into service to beef up their air force

Oberon · 02-24-08, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitan_Phillips

Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain

Actually it'll probably be pressed into service to beef up their air force

Expect to see it doing raids over Baghdad before long

02-23-08, 09:53 PM	#1
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	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. __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."

02-23-08, 10:10 PM	#2
RickC Sniper Undetectable Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,221 Downloads: 132 Uploads: 0	Do the replica guns work? If that's the issue he should just permanently seal the barrels. __________________ Support Subsim http://www.subsim.com/store.html

02-23-08, 10:11 PM	#3
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	Well, looking at the bright side of it - at least it's a flattering description for the bird __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

02-23-08, 11:03 PM	#4
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	Good to see others respecting the pride of Britain __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

02-23-08, 11:20 PM	#5
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	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 It's a poorly gaurded secret here that the vintage aircraft community has 'assisted' the navy etc.. with mock target __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."

02-24-08, 07:08 AM	#6
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	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.