Historian Files £300,000 Lawsuit Over Missing Nazi Fighter Aircraft Parts

OPA WIRE, Nov 11 (OPA) — Terrence Coakley, a retired accountant and president of the Friends of British Aviation Heritage, is suing Spitfire AA810 Restoration. Coakley alleges he provided a six-figure loan and charity donation earlier this year to purchase historic parts, including a Spanish Buchon aircraft modeled on the Me109. The components were meant to rebuild the wrecked German fighter, which was flown by Rall, the third highest-scoring fighter pilot in history with 275 aerial victories. According to court filings, Coakley claims the restorers failed to communicate the location of the parts and allegedly attempted to sell them without authorization.

During court proceedings, barrister Tom Beasley, representing Coakley, stated that his client and Spitfire boss Tony Hoskins traveled to Germany in February to acquire the package of parts. Coakley contributed approximately £190,000 as a loan, supplemented by a charitable donation, with the intention of curating the completed aircraft for museum displays in England and the United States. However, Coakley's legal team stated they have lost track of the Buchon and associated spares, adding they do not even know what country the components are currently located in.

Legal representatives for Spitfire AA810 Restoration strongly denied any corporate impropriety before Judge Mark Raeside. Barrister William Richardson argued that Coakley holds no legal right to possession of the Buchon or the proprietary assets, noting that the Me109 debris was never part of the original loan agreement. Furthermore, Richardson asserted that the loan agreement did not explicitly prohibit Hoskins from attempting to sell the parts, while maintaining that no unauthorized sales of the Buchon had taken place.

Despite the defense, Coakley's legal team presented evidence alleging a sustained effort by Hoskins to sell non-wreck collateral on the continent to raise funds. This reportedly included attempts to sell a DB 605 engine block earmarked for the Me109 rebuild, as indicated by communications and statements from museum officials. Coakley previously secured a German court order in July to prevent the export of plane parts remaining in that country, while ongoing litigation in London continues to determine the custody of the disputed historical assets.