World · India Bureau
Restored Spitfire aircraft sells for £18,000 after restorer's death
A British aviation enthusiast's two-decade labour of love came to auction following his death in 2025, with an incomplete Spitfire fuselage fetching £18,000. The restoration project was among several historic aircraft relics left behind by the dedicated collector.
LSN India ·
Peter Arnold, known as 'Mr Spitfire' for his lifelong passion for historic aircraft, accumulated a significant collection of aviation memorabilia over more than 50 years. Following his passing in 2025, his extensive holdings went under the auctioneer's hammer, drawing interest from aviation enthusiasts and collectors.
The centrepiece of the sale was a Spitfire F Mk 22 fuselage, designated PK519, which had occupied Arnold's garage for two decades as he worked towards its restoration. The partially completed airframe retained many of its original components, representing a substantial piece of aviation heritage despite remaining incomplete at the time of sale. The fuselage sold for £18,000, underscoring the value collectors place on authentic Spitfire materials.
Beyond the fuselage, the auction dispersed other treasures from Arnold's collection, including vintage aircraft instruments and aviation-themed timepieces that had accumulated through his years of collecting. The sale reflected both Arnold's deep commitment to preserving aviation history and the enduring appeal of Second World War-era British aircraft among collectors and historians worldwide.