The world's largest web site for the sale of pictures of aircraft has been set up in Sussex.
Arthur Rayner built the site as an add-on to his shop, Spitfire Art, which he has run in Ditchling for more than five years.
Spitfire Art specialises in the sale of art depicting the great flying machines of the past and their famous pilots. Now the online venture has taken off as a major business asset in its own right.
Mr Rayner said: "I have seen the site generate more orders than the mail order and passing trade sales combined on some occasions.
"It has given me access to customers all around the world. I have had online orders from Japan and Argentina.
"Just recently, I sold eight original paintings to a chap in New Zealand, a sale worth £6,000.
"Embassies seem quite keen to have this sort of art. I have had enquiries from the Greek embassy in Moscow and the US embassy in Switzerland."
Mr Rayner said one of the main benefits he had found from the web site was it provided a shop that was open all the time.
He said: "I take my stock to about 30 airshows each year and on those days my Ditchling shop is closed. But I can still receive orders through my web site. It's like having an extra pair of hands."
The majority of customers are keen to purchase Second World War nostalgia prints.
Mr Rayner said: "The 60th anniversary of the war has made people reflect on the era and we have seen a boost in sales.
"There is a lot of interest in signed prints and famous names such as Douglas Bader are very popular."
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