Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : John Davies, 01-Aug-2004, 10:54pm
Philip,
I can understand how you felt.
Another Spitfire story:
Croft Circuit was, as were so many, a WW2 air field. It has a regular 'Battle of Britain' race meeting and an air strip. So, a few years ago, a Spitfire and another fighter (sorry, can't remember what) flew in for the meeting and provided the lunchtime entertainment by mock-strafing the circuit.
The weird thing was, these fighters were definitely friendly but the experience gave us a ghost of what it was like to be on the receiving end of the real thing. Just two aircraft is too many to keep an eye on, and the sound of their engines seemed to come from everywhere. One felt very vulnerable. A whole squadron, plus bullets and explosions would have been terrifing.
I'm just glad and grateful that I have never been in that position.
John
I can understand how you felt.
Another Spitfire story:
Croft Circuit was, as were so many, a WW2 air field. It has a regular 'Battle of Britain' race meeting and an air strip. So, a few years ago, a Spitfire and another fighter (sorry, can't remember what) flew in for the meeting and provided the lunchtime entertainment by mock-strafing the circuit.
The weird thing was, these fighters were definitely friendly but the experience gave us a ghost of what it was like to be on the receiving end of the real thing. Just two aircraft is too many to keep an eye on, and the sound of their engines seemed to come from everywhere. One felt very vulnerable. A whole squadron, plus bullets and explosions would have been terrifing.
I'm just glad and grateful that I have never been in that position.
John
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Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : Philip Brammer, 02-Aug-2004, 10:08am
True story this,
When my parents moved house about 15 years ago we discovered in the garage a boxed and brand new air compressor from a Merlin engine as fitted to Spitfire's (dad was on a carrier during the end of the war, he was tank landing craft at D day). We also found the dashboard engine rev counter and engine sender unit from a Hurricane, plus odd bits including the felt toilet seat from a Lancaster that mum was using as a knee cushion for her gardening, and a part of a gunsight from HMS Warspite.
We took the relevent bits to the BBMF and were given a guided tour of the aircraft as a thankyou. Dad later had a letter to say the compressor was now happily installed in the Lanc and the Hurricane bits (which had been put in the museum) were now in the rebuilt Hurricane following its crash landing in flames following an engine fault.
Dad was going out to the far east on, I think it was HMS Ocean, to join tank landing craft shipped from the states when the bomb dropped and they turned round. In the middle of the Indian Ocean they bulldozed over the side dozens of brand new crated Spitfires and their spares which had been cluttering up the flight deck, hence the bits in his garage.
Wot have got in your garage then? Hmm-
Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : David Styles, 02-Aug-2004, 12:50pm
amazing stories.....
I remember being at Goodwood revival a few years ago before it got ultra busy...
and there was a Spitfire and a meschersmitt (?) playing follow my leader... 15 feet from eachother over the circuit all lunchtime..
not "dogfighting" as such just following eachother around...
the low runs they did across the circuit were awesome.
I tell you.. I actually felt quite emotional seeing it.
Usually at airshows they aren't allowed to come straight at you like that.. and then go over your head...
I wonder if they still do such things at the revival ?
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Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : James Carruthers, 02-Aug-2004, 01:00pm
They had a few Spitfires and Mustangs last year - and a very cool La9...
Most impressive...
Your Spitfire was flying at the weekend Dave...
James
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Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : David Styles, 02-Aug-2004, 03:10pm
an La9 actually flying !
would have liked to have seen that.
I've only seen one in bits at Duxford, waiting to be restored.
this may sound sad... but its my plane of choice when playing IL2.
(IL2 is the definitive WW2 air combat sim, when they get the BattleOfBritain version out, it will be THE definitive sim of all time)-
Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : James Carruthers, 02-Aug-2004, 03:35pm
Yup - its at Duxford now - saw it earlier last year at the Flying Legends show too.
Came over from New Zealand after being restored there. It's awesome to see fly! Only one in the world I believe.
You mean the La7 in IL2?
I'm an IL2er too - do you ever play online?
Can't wait for IL2:BoB - I'm loving ACE with the Spitfire!
James
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Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : Barry Huffer, 02-Aug-2004, 09:46pm
Talking about Duxford don't forget to put Sunday September 19th in your diary, the annual All Triumph Day.
Its the Tenth year and the Herts & Beds area are trying to get some special attractions.
They can't promise a flying Spitfire although they keep trying to arrange it, one member made a private arrangement at the end of the day last year when one happened to fly in.
New site this year at the other end, a lot larger, and entry by the gate that end rather than the main gate.
Autojumble welcome but let Matt or Mandy (01462 814051) know if you can. More room for traders as well but must be booked in advance.
Barry Huffer
Herts & Beds Area
1973 Spitfire -
Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : David Styles, 03-Aug-2004, 11:01am
dang...
think I'm getting the La7 and the YAK mixed up.
I was an avid onliner till about last December when I lost my broadband connection.
I only have a work internet connection now... so posting is ok, but gaming is out !
It means that I haven't played IL2 for about 2-3 months. Its just not as exciting playing against the PC. Such is life.
I tell you... when I get my own house again... its going to be like rediscovering my old l life...
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Spitfire, no a flying one!
Posted By : Jonathan Pashley, 02-Aug-2004, 02:09pm
David, I remember it well
Didnt the 'schmitt have a merlin intalled?
I think the Guy flying it that day later crashed and totalled both himself and the plane
Great shame on both counts it was absolutely fabulous to watch, both myself, father in law and nephew were gobsmacked at the skill and spectacle
Jon P
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