An exclusive interview with the former racing driver who helped pioneer the UK’s airworthy warbird movement during its formative days in the 1970s — and whose influence is still strong today
Sitting on the grass during its first visit to Old Warden, Spitfire IX TE517 looked suitably resplendent. At that point the most recent airworthy restoration of the type to reach completion, it embodies one of the countless fascinating facets of operational ‘Spit’ history, namely the post-war supply of airframes by Czechoslovakia to Israel — of which several have been preserved. Suitably enough, just a day after casting a close-up eye over the now pristine fighter, it was time to have lunch with the man whose pioneering recovery effort made its resurrection possible.
All this goes to show how, even half a century after he first became involved with historic aircraft, Robs Lamplough continues to have a tremendous influence on the scene. Indeed, he was one of its true pioneers. A host of significant aeroplanes owe their survival to Robs, who started collecting and restoring them at a time when far less of an industry surrounded such machines than exists today. And certain fruits of this charming gentleman’s labours await their moments in th…
