A REPLICA Spitfire has gone on display in York after being sold to a private collector for more than £60,000.

The full-sized MKVb Supermarine Spitfire was owned by the Royal British Legion and housed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse before being sold to Michael Oliver, chairman of Europe's largest privately-owned valve manufacturer, Oliver Valves.

Built by members of the Ripon Branch of the Legion in 2008, the Spitfire took ten months and 11,000 man hours to construct, using original Supermarine blueprints and Spitfire parts.

Flight Lieutenant Dave Williams, from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, said the replica was one of a kind. “It has been described as one of the most convincing replicas in the UK.

“The Spitfire has been with us since May, and has gone to a really great collection in Knutsford. Mr Oliver already has great examples of Merlin aircraft engines and, I believe, a Bugatti Veyron.”

The replica represents aircraft number W3850, flown by Pilot Officer Joe Atkinson, later Flight Lieutenant Sir Joe Atkinson KCB CB DFC, over France on October 13, 1941.

During this mission, Pilot Officer Atkinson, with other aircraft from 609 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Airforce (West Riding of Yorkshire), engaged and damaged a number of German Messerschmitt 109s. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Although the exact price paid for the aircraft is not known, it is understood that the new owner paid more than the price the replica was expected to reach at auction – between £30,000 and £60,000 – with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

The replica will also be used by the RAF at the 70th anniversary Battle of Britain commemorations at the Minster on Sunday.

More than 300 airmen from Linton-on-Ouse, cadets and veterans will march through the city, as the air base exercises the Freedom of the City of York by parading from Duncombe Place at 10.15am. The starts Minster service at 11.15am.

At noon, during the Minster service, Terry Clark, 91, from Wheldrake, who is Yorkshire's last survivor of the Battle of Britain, will join Group Captain Mike Longstaff, station commander at Linton, and an air cadet in turning a page of the Book of Remembrance to the 18,000 airmen who lost their lives flying out of the county during the war.

Mr Clark said: “It’s an absolute honour to be asked to turn a page and I will be doing it for all those who never came back, including my pilot. I think it’s a wonderful thing to have members of the RAF, past present and future, turning a page on such a special day.”