IIRC, Tom Blair had owned PL344 for some years and left it and several other aircraft based at Duxford for a while. I hardly think it was getting in a bad state as it was airworthy at Duxford and flown immediately on re-assembly in the States.

That was something that they did say, actually. It had been getting in a bad way, Tom bought it and had it completely restored so it was airworthy at Duxford. However, I think they said that after about a year and a half he wanted it over in the states which is what occasioned the program. You are right, it was airworthy but this is because he paid for it to be made so. This is also why it was able to be flown straight away. The team that did the complete restoration is the same team that did the disassembly and reassembly. Who better to trust with a job like that? I did think it was daft not to put padding down the sides though.

I think was daft not to have it stuffed in a B744F. Not as dangerous as a sea voyage, faster and at least would be at an airport on arrival. He seems to have the $$$

Possibly, but I thought it was stupid NOT using the Antonov. Ok, they made the point it needs a three mile long runway and Easton only has half that but there must be one long enough somewhere on the east coast. They could then pop the Spitfire off and land-hop as much as they needed. They couldn't go over the Atlantic due to undersize fuel tanks but this wouldn't be a problem over land surely? That way there wouldn't have been the worry of it getting bashed in a container and having to be taken to bits. Oh well, done now.

Had a thought about the music, I've just been blasting Iron Maiden out here and thinking they should have used Aces High! It was written about Spitfire air warfare. Would have given a much more satisfying bang to finish with. Imagine that engine sound accompanying that song... WOW!