Spitfire for New Zealand Auction Sep 14
Published July 11th, 2008
A Spitfire fighter aircraft is to feature in Bonhams & Goodman’s inaugural sale of Collectors’ Motor Cars and Aircraft in New Zealand on the 14th September. The sale comes in a double anniversary year for military aircraft - it is the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force at the end of the First World War, and it is also exactly 70 years since the Spitfire first became operational in 1938.
This historical aircraft (RAF Serial No. TE 330) was constructed at the Castle Bromwich works in late April 1945 and was accepted by RAF Cosford. After seeing active service with the RAF it was flown in the 1957 Battle of Britain Memorial flight before being donated to the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1959. It was displayed at the USAF academy in Colorado Springs until around 1997 when the Aircraft found its way to New Zealand via the Hong Kong based businessman James Slade. In 1997 an ongoing restoration of the aircraft was begun and in 1999 it was purchased by the present owners who have continued to restore the aircraft to its current near complete condition.
The Spitfire will be auctioned at Bonhams & Goodman’s Collectors’ Cars Auction
Sunday 14 September
The World of Wearable Arts and Classic Car Museum
95 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook
Nelson, NZ
Auction info www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au
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