Spitfire project arrives at Duxford

Combat-veteran Supermarine Spitfire XIV RM873 arrived at Duxford Airfield in early September for restoration to flight on behalf of a collector in North America. The former Thai Air Force machine, RThaiAF serial Kh.14/5-93, first came to the attention of Western enthusiasts in 1981 when it was located in a children's play area in the township of Sawankalok in Northern Thailand. It had been one of several Mk XIVs and XIXs that the Thai Government had distributed around the country when the type left service in the 1950s.

Initially donating its wings to an Australian project, Spitfire IX RR232, the fuselage was moved back into Thai Air Force care with 41 Wing's Tango Squadron museum at Chiang Mai Airport. Parts from the firewall forward were then used in the static restoration of two Mk XIXs, PS836 and PM630, at Don Muang, Bangkok, both also having been recovered from the provinces.

• This is just a taster — see November's Aeroplanemagazine for the full news story.