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Old 9th Sep 2020, 12:31
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treadigraph
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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As far as I know, the only production contra-rotating Spitfires were the Seafire 46s and 47s. There are three survivors, VP441 as above and LA546 and 564, fuselage parts of which were rescued from a scrapyard by Peter Arnold and are both under long term restoration to fly. Can't see any association with Abingdon but VP441 was stored at RAF Hullavington in 1970.

Steve Hinton restored Spitfire XIX PS890 with a contra prop and Griffon 58 out of Shackleton which first flew in 2002 - this was sold in France a few years ago and while being non-standard, looked and sounded fantastic. Alas, owner Christophe Jacquard has returned her to a more authentic Griffon 65 and 5 blade prop now and she has just flown again following repairs after an unfortunate take off accident in France a couple of years ago.

VP441:


Last edited by treadigraph; 9th Sep 2020 at 12:55.
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