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A Spitfire of your own? Surely not possible! Amazingly though, the ultimate boy’s toy is now within reach, thanks to an English flying enthusiast, an Australian genius - and The Syndicate Store!


This is not a dream. This is a possibility – a real, genuine, no-kidding, it-could-be-you chance of a lifetime. Quite simply, you could own a share in a replica second world war Spitfire fighter aircraft that looks, feels - and flies - like the genuine article! So if you’re interested, you’d better act fast and join in the acquisition of a superb aircraft that could have you reaching for the sky as pilot or passenger in one of the world’s most graceful, elegant and celebrated flying machines!


Spitfire replicas – made in Oz!


After 16 years of in-depth research, hard work and sheer determination, Mike O’Sullivan of Supermarine Aircraft in Queensland, Australia has developed the Spitfire 26. The number derives from the fact that Mike based his first replica aircraft on the Spitfire Mark V – but, out of respect for the original, called his new version the Mark 25. When he modified the Mark 25 and made it into a two-seater he called it the Mark 26, which is approximately 80% the size of the original aircraft, all-metal in construction, and with a choice of two power packages – either an automotive derived GM Isuzu quad-cam V6 naturally aspirated engine, or a supercharged version for enhanced performance.


Supplied in kit form


The aircraft is built at Mike O’Sullivan’s Queensland factory and is assembled in kit form for purchasers to assemble themselves, with all aluminium components pre-drilled and precision cut using a computer-controlled CNC router cutter in order to keep parts standards consistent and accurate. In addition, the main structural sections of the aircraft are pre-built in factory jigs, so as to ensure the highest possible component accuracy of these critical components – and final assembly should be well within the abilities of the average person who is good with their hands, with an estimated 1200 man-hours required for the job.


Original characteristic retained


Important characteristics of the original aircraft have been preserved; the wheels faithfully replicate the genuine articles, the undercarriage retracts as per the original – and there’s even a small piece of dowel that sticks up from the top of the wing signifying wheels down, as per the world war two version! The spade grip control column and the RAF standard blind flying panel are also faithfully reproduced – and to preserve the single-seat fighter appearance, there is no second cockpit, though a second seat has been mounted in the space originally taken up by the radio compartment, with vision for the passenger being through the windows behind the distinctive sliding canopy.


From just £5,000 per person


As far as ownership and location of the Spitfire is concerned, it is preferred that the plane is to be based in mid- to southern England, the Channel Islands - or Northern France. The cost of the kit is around £50,000, plus the co-owners would require the skills to assemble the aircraft, unless a pre-assembled aeroplane is purchased – in which case the price roughly doubles to about £100,000. Attracting 10 or so owners will keep the individual cost to between £5,000 and £10,000 each – which seems incredibly reasonable for ownership of such a unique, wonderful and historic replica aircraft.