A 1944 Piper L-4H ‘Grasshopper’, registration G-CMIZ, has been listed for sale on global aircraft marketplace Sprinkle from South Oxfordshire.

Originally built for the US Army Air Forces, the aircraft saw active service from August 1944 and is recorded as having served under General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army during the final advance into occupied Europe.

The 1944 Piper L-4H “Grasshopper” has been listed for sale in South Oxfordshire (Image: Sprinkle)

This type of light observation aircraft played a ‘crucial role in reconnaissance and artillery spotting’ during the Second World War, according to the listing, operating close to the front lines in some of the most pivotal battles of the conflict.

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It participated in the Battle of the Bulge and operations around Bastogne, and crossed the Rhine during the Allied advance toward Czechoslovakia before remaining in Germany until the end of the war.

The 1944 Piper L-4H “Grasshopper” has been listed for sale in South Oxfordshire (Image: Sprinkle)

Following its military service, the aircraft passed through civilian ownership in Belgium, was later recovered from Germany in the 1980s, and eventually returned to flight in the United States.

Between 2021 and 2025 it was ‘comprehensively’ restored, including a new fabric covering and a return to its original 87th Infantry Battalion paint scheme.

It’s now based at a private airstrip in South Oxfordshire, near Abingdon, and being offered for sale at £75,000.

One shopper has come forward to describe the growing issue of what he says are school-age youngsters meeting in the town centre and ‘intimidating’ the public.

It comes after the most recent incident of anti-social behaviour occurred on Monday, April 13, when two individuals broke into the roof of the Abingdon Eye Centre in Bury Street.

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Police responded to reports of the break-in, where eyewitnesses said damage was caused to the white wooden access door onto the roof, but the individuals had gone by the time they arrived.

The Bury Street precinct in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Charles, who did not want to share his surname, witnessed the break-in from Abingdon Library and said the roof is frequently a target of ‘mischief’.

“Steel gates and fencing was put in about two years ago in response to the intrusions, but it would appear this has been circumvented by teenagers who seem to think its cool to go up onto the roof and cause mischief,” he said.

“The shopping centre has suffered for years as a point where teenagers congregate with the intention of engaging in annoying and insulting behaviour.

“In the past few years gangs have congregated on scooters and bikes, alarming and distressing passersby with insulting yelled comments and intimidating behaviour, even throwing things.

“Some shoppers are too scared now to go into town, particularly in the afternoons. ”

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A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We received a report at around 2.40pm on Monday, 13 April, that two individuals were on the roof of the Abingdon Eye Centre in Bury Street.

“Officers attended the scene, but were unable to locate anyone on the roof.

“Anyone who witnesses antisocial behaviour is encouraged to report it to us.

“Please call 999 in an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life, 101 for non-emergencies, or report online via our website.”

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that simple menu tweaks can make a big difference in workplace cafeterias.

The study replaced one meat-based lunch option with a vegetarian alternative in six English workplaces and recorded results over seven weeks and more than 26,000 meals.

The likelihood of a customer choosing a vegetarian meal increased by 41 per cent.

Dr Elisa Becker, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said: “The findings show that small changes to food environments can have a big effect without requiring customers to make extra effort, read labels or use self-control.

“Instead of placing the burden on consumers, we found that simply offering more options that are better for health and the environment, shifts eating behaviour in a healthier and more sustainable direction.”

The study, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, also found that the vegetarian options reduced calories, saturated fat, and salt.

Meals during the trial averaged 26 fewer calories and produced 8.5 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions.

Customer feedback indicated that the change was largely unnoticed.

The study suggests this approach could inform future workplace food policies.

Researchers now hope to run similar trials in other industries and are seeking new partners interested in improving health and sustainability through small, practical changes.