Spitfire N3200 is one of two remaining Mark I models restored to their original specification by the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARC) as part of a wider project embarked upon by Thomas Kaplan and his late friend Simon Marsh. The second aircraft, Spitfire P9374, will be sold at Christie’s this evening (Thursday 9 July) to benefit the RAF Benevolent Fund, Panthera, a leading wildlife conservation charity, Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and Stop Ivory.
After watching the Spitfire in an aerial display flown by John Romain of ARC, Thomas Kaplan handed the original log book for the Spitfire to The Duke of Cambridge and IWM’s Director-General Diane Lees.
Thomas Kaplan said: “When my great childhood friend, Simon Marsh, and I embarked upon this project, it was to pay homage to those who Churchill called "the Few", the pilots who were all that stood between Hitler's darkness and what was left of civilization. The events of today are, more than anything else, concrete gestures of gratitude and remembrance for those who prevailed in one of the most pivotal battles in modern history. The return to Duxford of N3200, which was itself piloted by the heroic Commander of RAF Duxford, is an act of love for Britain that began with my and Simon's mutual passion for aircraft and desire to enshrine a British legacy. As history tells us all, there comes a time when one simply has to step up...to act with selfless passion, and to remember with gratitude the few that actually do.”
Diane Lees, Director of IWM said: “This is immensely important to both IWM and the Nation. It is incredibly special to see this Spitfire fly once again at IWM Duxford. We are immensely grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Kaplan.”
The Duke of Cambridge also visited the Battle of Britain exhibition, where he heard more about the crucial role RAF Duxford played in the Battle of Britain – as home to No.19 Squadron.
The visit culminated with a tour of the Aircraft Restoration Company hangar and workshops, where the Duke of Cambridge was introduced to the teams who restored the two Spitfires.
Spitfire N3200 will feature in The Flying Legends Air Show at IWM Duxford this weekend (11 and 12 July) and will play a large role in the Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show at Duxford (19 and 20 September).
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For further information, please contact:
Lucy Donoughue +44 (0)7780 439938
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Esther Blaine +44 (0)1223 499 320
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The Duke of Cambridge receives Spitfire at IWM Duxford
9 July 2015
Today (Thursday), in advance of official 75th anniversary commemorations for the Battle of Britain, the Duke of Cambridge visited IWM Duxford, Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield, to receive Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200. The Spitfire has been returned to Britain and to Imperial War Museums (IWM) by the family of American entrepreneur philanthropist Thomas Kaplan and his wife, Daphne Recanati Kaplan.