Quote:
Given that nowadays it seems that all you need is a surviving manufacturer's ID plate, and you can "restore" an aircraft around it, you are technically correct.
A data plate is not a pre-requisite to rebuild a Spitfire. The CAA require a provenance and ownership trail to an RAF serial number identity.
All that the construction number data plates give you are details of approximately where in the production cycle the assembly was made. For purposes of the CAA construction number requirement the cockpit plate, if there is one still attached, is usually quoted but equally the plate from the Frame 5 firewall sub assembly will suffice. The RAF ID is not stamped on either of these plates and the general digits thereon are basically meaningless to but a few aficionados
The 'platinum' plate is in the wing bolt area should over size bolts have been fitted for this has both the cockpit c/n and the RAF serial stamped on and has been the key to putting a number of RAF identities on to otherwise orphan Spitfires.
Mark