Spitfire restored

[Artichoke]

given the disappointment of some in not seeing a Spitfire airplane being restored, I thought I would put up this from an earlier visit to the Lonestar Flight Museum in Galveston
I understand that the hangers took some damage from the recent hurricane, but the planes survived, though the museum is presently closed for repairs

76077923.qA1JvDx9.jpg

this is an early model which originally had a bubble canopy, but the restorers for some inexplicable reason added a later model canopy
it flies
a larger version of this can be found here classics Photo Gallery by Artichoke Vinagrette at pbase.com along with some others from this fine museum

[mark_goode]

Lovely image and lovely airplane . . .

[calshot]

Here are five flying over/near factory where made.This was taken couple years ago.

Rob

[stuny]

Arthur -

Beautiful in subject, light and color.

[elansprint72]

Arthur,
If it is an early Spitfire, it would not originally have had a bubble (or tear-drop) canopy, they did not appear until part way through Mk XIV, by which time the Griffon was in use.

If you have a shot showing the serial number, I can tell you all the facts on this example.

Nice hangar photo, btw.

[chilihead]

Gorgeous!

[Artichoke]

I wish I had one of this plane in flight ...the Supermarine Spitfire is a favorite of mine
Pete here is the information I was able to find about this plane
it is a LFXVIe with the serial N97RW TE392
I remember reading about the canopy at the museum, but I may have gotten this the wrong way around

[rob_x2004]

Shiny. Was going to say, clip tips square hood radiator intake canon but you got there before me Artichoke.
Theres another one in Krakow Pete, so you could send your mates over with tapemeasures for copmparisons.
Might even have the Packard merlin under the hood for the american connection.

[elansprint72]

Arthur,
"Delivered to 9MU on June 15 1945, she was stored until 1946. Allocated briefly to 126, 65, 164, 63, 595, and 695 Squadrons, she was reduced to instructional status in September 1952. 1967 found her on a pylon outside RAF Kemble. She moved in 1970, but only to another pylon at RAF Hereford. Acquired by Doug Arnold and moved to store in 1984, she was restored to the air & converted to high-back by Harry Stenger in Bartow, Florida, and is now in the hands of her new owners, the Lone Star Museum in Galveston, Texas. (07/07) "


You were correct about the conversion (I suspect a whole fuselage swap, actually).

[azzo]

Excellent photo of an elegant plane.