Military historian to sell home-made Second World War plane after his wife told him to get rid of it

In the finest traditions of English eccentricity, David Price built a full-size replica Spitfire by hand in his back garden, demolishing a potting shed so he could squeeze in the wings.

Now his four-and-a-half-year passion project can be yours: the military historian, 59, has put his Spitfire up for auction on eBay with a reserve price of £18,600 – though he is expecting bidding to rise beyond that.

His long-suffering wife Trish, 58, has been promised a new summer house with the proceeds of the sale. ‘It’s like having a teenager about the place,’ she says. ‘You really love them but there comes a moment when you need them to leave home. It’s time for David’s Spitfire to fly the nest.’

David has had significant interest in his replica. Museums and private collectors from Britain, Belgium and Thailand have been in touch, although he had to tell one businessman inquiring from the Thai island of Phuket that the Spitfire would be unsuitable as a decoration on top of his hotel.

‘It’s made of plywood,’ he says. ‘It would have steamed to death.’

David’s plane is a replica of the Mark IX Spitfire PV144 which was flown by Battle of Britain hero Squadron Leader James Hayter DFC.

Similar full-size replicas are usually factory moulded by specialist manufacturers and come with a £50,000 price tag. David will only admit to spending £10,000 on his, though Trish suspects it may have cost more – especially since he had to rebuild the undercarriage after it was damaged by winds in 2022, which lifted the Spitfire off the ground.

‘The plane decided to make a first flight on its own,’ laughs David. ‘I’ve spent the last year doing repairs.’

Now, however, it is perfect again and David has decided to sell. ‘I never intended to keep it in my garden – it took over our space and then my life. Trish is very patient with my endeavours but it’s clear it has to go.’

The former construction company boss began the project to keep his engineering skills sharp when he became a military writer in 2018.

His debut book, The Crew, about the men of a Lancaster Bomber, became a bestseller and his latest work, telling the story of his back garden Spitfire, will be published next year. Some parts of the replica are real, such as the black cockpit dials which came out of Air Ministry packaging stamped 1944. The wheels are cast-offs from a Spitfire which is still in service and the perspex hatch is authentic.

But other bits were foraged by David from his local DIY store, his garage and even their kitchen. The electrical transformer at the back of the cockpit is a Heinz Beans tin and the joystick is made of wood wrapped with electrical wire – it cost £7.50 whereas a genuine vintage one would be £5,000. The aerial and carburettor were created on a 3D printer.

The effect is breathtaking and the Spitfire has become a landmark at their house in a Cumbrian village, near Carlisle. ‘It’ll be strange when it goes,’ David says, ‘but we are ready to have our garden – and our privacy – back.’

So will he ever embark on anything as bonkers as building a plane in his garden again? ‘I’m older, less bolder,’ he says, ‘but never say never.’

flight of fancy: David Price with his pride and joy replica

‘My wife is very patient… but it’s clear it has to go’