You can now own your own Spitfire for as little as 130, 000 pounds

It was more than 60 years back when the Spitfire soared over skies of Britain, helping turn the tide against the Luftwaffe, and putting the German High Commands decision to invade England, on the backburner.

London, July 13 : It was more than 60 years back when the Spitfire soared over skies of Britain, helping turn the tide against the Luftwaffe, and putting the German High Command's decision to invade England, on the backburner.

Now, anyone with 130,000 pounds in loose change and a double garage can own his own version of the iconic WWII fighter aircraft.

The almost life-size Australian built aluminium kits cost 100,000 pounds, and a further 30,000 pounds and 1200 working hours for assembling the parts.

With 700 hours of construction work already completed, the kit is shipped to customers with all major components already formed. They must then spend a further two years fitting together the hundreds of parts together before it can be flown.

Powered by a GM V6 engine, the sleek aircraft with the ubiquitous spinetingling roar can fly at speeds of up to 222mph and reach altitudes of 18,000ft.

Businessman and Spitfire fan Kieran Padden, 62, who imports the model Spitfire to Britain, has said demand for the ultimate boy's toy is on the rise, with four more orders on the books.

Flying enthusiasts, eager to experience the thrill of piloting one of the war's most famous fighter plane, have already snapped 22 of the kits, he said.

"The aircraft is superb. Everyone who flies it says: "I have got to have one of these. It is so easy to fly. Even old Spitfire pilots I have spoken to say it flies just like the original. It's lighter but has the same performance, so it's much more agile," said Padden.

"These kits appeal to individuals or groups who love the Spitfire and everything it stood for. It is the nearest anyone will get to the original for a tenth of the cost. The manufacturers have even recreated the sound. Every time I hear it, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up," The Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

Produced by British firm Vickers-Armstrong, the original single-seater Supermarine Spitfires - with streamlined features and thin wing cross-sections - were used to devastating effect by the RAF and Allied forces during World War II.

Comparable to the Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109, but not as fast as the Focke wulf FW 190 or the Me 262, the world's first jet, their sheer number helped the RAF and the USAAF keep the pressure up on the Luftwaffe till the end of the war.

ANI