The Mark 1 version of the iconic plane was one of the first Spitfires to go into action , and was built in March 1940 . But Spitfire P9374 never made it to Britain as it crash-landed on French beach and lay hidden for 40 years . At one point it was almost certainly flown by Squadron Leader Roger Bushell , later Big X of the Great Escape fame . The wreckage was discovered in 1980 and restored to its original condition . It is to be auctioned for £2.5million .
The Mark 1 version of the iconic plane was one of the first Spitfires to go into action , and was built in March 1940 . But Spitfire P9374 never made it to Battle of Britain as it crash-landed on French beach and lay hidden for 40 years . At one point it was almost certainly flown by Squadron Leader Roger Bushell , later Big X of the Great Escape fame . The wreckage was discovered in 1980 and restored to its original condition . It is to be auctioned for £2.5million .