Where (or what?) cool aero gift to get? WW2 Spitfire piece?

[robm3]

Hi all,

Looking to get a gift for someone who did me a huge favour. They're a big plane and pilot nut and own 3 currently. I've noticed a signed P51 Mustang on their desk for example.

A while back I saw an article on ww2 plane bits (cylinders, control pieces etc..) mounted on plinths or bases, looked rather good. I tried to find via google but can't seem to find them again. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Or any other ideas on a cool gift, value up to £1,000?

Thanks in advance.

[Big Bad Ben]

TMB Art Metal made my wedding ring out of part of Concorde's vertical stabiliser. They also do bits (cufflinks and other, non-jewellery pieces) made out of Spitfires, Hurricanes and classic cars... Very pleased with their service!

[marksx]

Aircraft parts? (Maybe not the first few!)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Jet-Art-Aviation-LTD/_i.h...

[robm3]

Big Bad Ben said:

TMB Art Metal made my wedding ring out of part of Concorde's vertical stabiliser. They also do bits (cufflinks and other, non-jewellery pieces) made out of Spitfires, Hurricanes and classic cars... Very pleased with their service!

Perfect! Thank you.

[Gokartmozart]

Rob

Some cool stuff here, some gun sights are within budget

Note: the site appears to only work with I.E

http://spitfirespares.co.uk/home.html

[Brigand]

marksx said:

Aircraft parts? (Maybe not the first few!)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Jet-Art-Aviation-LTD/_i.h...

Some of those helicopter control sticks are just crying out to be turned into (albeit rather large) gear knobs! If only they weren't so bloody expensive, I might have given it a try.

Slightly O/T, but my dad had the front bulletproof glass panel from a Lightning's canopy turned into a coffee table many years ago. We now have a rectangular glass coffee table with a wooden frame the could be used to take cover behind should gun-toting baddies besiege the house.

[insurance_jon]

ive got one of these sat on my desk to charge my phone

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Radial-Engine-POLISHE...

[eccles]

Brigand said:

marksx said:

Aircraft parts? (Maybe not the first few!)

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Jet-Art-Aviation-LTD/_i.h...

Some of those helicopter control sticks are just crying out to be turned into (albeit rather large) gear knobs! If only they weren't so bloody expensive, I might have given it a try.

Slightly O/T, but my dad had the front bulletproof glass panel from a Lightning's canopy turned into a coffee table many years ago. We now have a rectangular glass coffee table with a wooden frame the could be used to take cover behind should gun-toting baddies besiege the house.

Jet Art are famous for their reasonable prices!

[robm3]

robm3 said:

Big Bad Ben said:

TMB Art Metal made my wedding ring out of part of Concorde's vertical stabiliser. They also do bits (cufflinks and other, non-jewellery pieces) made out of Spitfires, Hurricanes and classic cars... Very pleased with their service!

Perfect! Thank you.

Just as an update I brought this piece off TMB Art:



It's the smaller spitfire model made from a spitfire engine



It was a little pricey but Chris Bennett was extremely helpful, especially as I'm in Oz and the piece had to go to the USA.

[gvij]

Looks lovely. How much was it?

[ecsrobin]

I think anyone would be proud to have that on their desk.

[dr_gn]

I saw this at Duxford earlier in the year. For £500 it looked very impressive I thought:

[Simpo Two]

robm3 said:

It's the smaller spitfire model made from a spitfire engine

The support is one of the valves - I have a Merlin inlet valve and it looks identical as far as I can tell.

[robm3]

gvij said:

Looks lovely. How much was it?

I don't wish to be elusive however the price is in the 2.5K-3.5K ballpark.

What sold me on it was it's authenticity, stunning simplicity and the craftsmanship that went into it. Unfortunately for me it was a gift so I don't get to enjoy it, but giving it was enough for me.

That said Chris has similar items priced at various prices due to minor imperfections in manufacturing. I'm in the UK next month so hoping to pop in and inspect some.