Spitfire Lz844 Sold To Uk, Another RAAF Spitfire goes o/s

[Martin Edwards]

The ex-Barry Coran machine has been sold by Aviation Australia to a buyer in the UK. LZ844 departed QAM on 11 May 2011

[Ron Cuskelly]

I have posted this everywhere else so I suppose I better post it here too:

Thanks to everyone who has expressed concern for the welfare of QAM and its members. As several people have correctly stated, LZ844 was on loan to QAM from Aviation Australia and the museum always knew that one day the owners would want it back. The aircraft had been cosmetically prepared for display by Aviation Australia and there was no expenditure of volunteer labour by QAM. QAM's only complaint is that we were not given an opportunity to tender for the aeroplane. The first advice received from Aviation Australia was that a sale was close to being finalised. While it is true that a volunteer community group museum probably could not have afforded the aircraft, it is unfortunate that we were denied the opportunity to attempt to raise sponsorships. For a Spitfire that may not have been insurmountable.

It is important that nobody should construe QAM's disappointment as hostility towards the new owners. QAM afforded full co-operation and assistance with the removal and dismantling of the aircraft. No attempt was made to invoke Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage legislation because an export permit was issued several years ago for a Spitfire which may indeed be the aeroplane in question.

For the record, the container with LZ844 departed QAM on 11 May for the UK. Also for the record, although Aviation Australia is a private company, 100% of its shares are owned by the Queensland Government.

Ron Cuskelly
Vice-President QAM

[Dean]

So in effect this sale was sanctioned by the Queensland government. How bloody typical.

[Dave Masterson]

Ron, what a shame. Any idea why you guys didn't even get a look in? What plans do the new owners have for the aircraft...will it be made airworthy again? Very nice looking aircraft is the Spitfire. It looks like a MK1X from the outside, with the four bladed prop and the extended intake under the nose. A sad loss for the Museum for sure. :huh:

[Ron Cuskelly]

Hi Dave

[QUOTE]Any idea why you guys didn't even get a look in? [/QUOTE]

It wasn't just QAM. It seems that nobody else got a look in either. "Indecent haste" is a phrase that springs to mind. The aircraft is very much a composite being predominantly Mk V but forward of the firewall is Mk VIII. The prop blades are believed to be ex Barracuda. It is the intention of the new owner to fly the aeroplane but probably not much of the existing airframe will fly.

Regards

[Brenden S]

This aircraft has recently been made airworthy.