Possible Spitfire data plate

[PeterA]

Let me just clear the air here.

The plate was fully recognised by both parties as to what it was prior to an agreed trade.

A deal was struck for a trade and a number of German plates were proffered from which a selection was made.

The Spitfire plate arrived by post at my UK address ahead of anticipated despatch.

Two German plates were immediately despatched by UK postage of identical security and similar cost as the Spitfire plate that had come from the US. The recipient was advised of despatch.

The German plates were tracked as far as UK posting will allow, the US East Coast...New York, but failed to make the last leg of their journey. (tracking number RJ881070916GB)

Fact.

Now if the Spitfire plate had been sent by special courier or UPS door to door at some cost and I had 'cheapskated' and sent the German plates by a less secure system there might just be a case to answer here.

My conscience is quite clear here and I am disappointed in your postings on this matter.

Your quarrel should be with the US Postal Service.

The forum can judge me.

Peter Arnold

ps. The data plate will be returned to its original position in the cockpit of RK858 when it is restored, as I have already advised.

.

[PeterA]

Originally Posted by harrison987

oh yeah...how did that go?

After seeing detailed images of your data plate, Peter Arnold (being the obvious expert that he is) told you he had no idea what it was for. He played dumb...and made you a low-ball offer for it. You agreed, and then the moment he received it, he admitted it was in-fact the main data plate for a RK858, which he obviously knew this the entire time.

Not exactly "honest" behaviour.

Then to further his is dishonest behaviour, he STOLE it.

He never sent you what you agreed to...and he now sits with a data plate worth thousands of dollars.

For someone who prides themselves in their reputation, maybe you should return the stolen plate, or at lease PAY Steve for it?

Sad that people like that are still in this community...makes other legitimate collectors look bad.

Sorry that happened to you Steve. Maybe Peter will look back on how he treated you...and solve this long ongoing issue.

Immediate Email response to Steve Polyak after first seeing detailed images of said data plates.

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Arnold xxxxx
To: Steve Polyak yyyyy
Sent: Mon, Aug 20, 2012 4:16 am
Subject: Re: Spitfire & Hurricane data plates

Hello Steve,

A very interesting collection.

Two of the plates are from Spitfires.

CBAF IX 3208 is the plate from the cockpit. and by juxtaposition with known plates and RAF serials lies within a range of serials of Spitfires that went to Russia. The precise identity of the actual aircraft cannot be ascertained 100% as sometimes there are slight discrepancies in the sequence so +/- 20 on Spitfire Mk IX RK836.

The CBAF 9570 is a Modification plate and the Mods relate to the rudder.

I would be very interested to see images of the pieces of structure that these two plates were removed from. I am surmising that these batch of plates originate from Russia. Would it be possible to back track down the trail?

I do have images of bits and pieces of Spitfire wreckage in Russia that were recovered in the 1990's.

Best regards,

Peter

[stephen f. polyak]

Nick, As Peter responded, please allow me, remaining civil, to add details…

Peter and I agreed to a trade - fact.

He received the Spitfire plate, but I never received the Bf109 plates that he offered in exchange, which he was fully aware of - fact.

He associated the Spitfire plate specifically with RK858 after it was in his hands, in spite of having a clear photo of it before I mailed it to him - fact.

After I spent two months of waiting and exhausting inquires with the US and UK Post Offices, when I asked that he return the Spitfire plate or replace the 109 plates, he told me, in effect, tough luck, that's the way it goes - fact.

Indicative of his self-serving rational, and I quote: "We all know the risks of international posting". Read more in the attached message.

Following my Nov 2012 message, also attached, he broke off all e-mail contact with me - fact.

And some three years later, he still has the Spitfire plate (with such noble intentions, he has not given it to the owner of the remains of RK858 after all this time, let alone return it to me); he has not attempted any form of resolution, whatsoever; and, after reading his latest flawed rationalization, he still shows no remorse or shame.

Peter, I made my own judgement about your behavior, and character, in 2012, but I'll stop here!

Steve