"Ericsson is maintaining its top position in wireless networking equipment and technology, so the company will not be forced to merge with another player from a purely competitive position perspective, but rather may be forced to merge to reconcile its weak business model and financial condition, " Lesieur said in a note.

FORBES: Ericsson Is Still Sliding Downhill

But apart from the minor niggles, Mr Knapp said the Mark IA is in fantastic condition and is the best preserved early model of the fighter plane he has ever seen.

BBC: Duxford war museum's Spitfire work 'preserving history'