Spitfire mk9 trainers

It was G-MKIA P9374, some photos (not mine) are here https://www.flickr.com/photos/64209520@N05/28972898211/in/dateposted/ She's only recently got back in the skies after being sold at auction last year. A stunning example of the breed.

 

Excellent. The fact she's a 92 Squadron example makes her very special in my book.

 

Is she one of the ones that has been involved in the Dunkirk filming?

Steven

 

Those were AR213 and X4650 from Duxford, and EP122 (a Mk V) from Biggin Hill. Some photos and some more info here http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/dunkirk.html I'm looking forward to seeing how the aerial sequences turn out in the finished film.

 

Are all the "baby" spitfires subject to the same restrictions as the BOB one, ie only allowed to fly with in limitations that dont effect the later marks such as the mk9, i ask because on a recent documentary that focased on the 75 celebrations, the bob mk 1 was grounded because of crosswinds and the mk 16 had to go up instead.

 

Fortunately others have provided the info, as I hadn't managed to identify the specific aircraft (but the underside paint scheme suggested it was probably either P9374 or N3200 - are any others currently flying with the 50/50 black/white scheme?).

Also saw the ARCo Beaver and possibly some of the Classic Wings fleet flying around (I think - looked like Tiger Moth, Harvard & Rapide to me, although the latter two were at a considerable distance).

 

BBMF have different cross wind limits for early and late marks. IIRC engine horsepower and weight come in to the equation.

 

According to someone on the UK Airshow Review forum, it was P9374 undertaking its final flight at Duxford before being crated up and shipping to America. The Beaver was being used as a camera ship. Sad to see the Spitfire leave, it's a lovely looking machine.

 

If that is true, then it's nothing short of a tragedy IMO. Too much of our aviation heritage resides across the Pond. Let them have their Mustangs back instead. Just hope the 92 Sqd Mk.1 that the Biggin Hill guys are restoring won't to long before she flies again.

 

They've already got more airworthy Mustangs in the U.S. than the rest of the world has airworthy Spits and Hurris combined, and then doubled! So I say we keep the Mustangs as well as our own types

 

True and they're not short of British warbirds over there either.

 

True, on both counts.

I note that Mark One Partners allegedly have another Mk1a and also a Seafire in store at Duxford, although it worries me that their website is no longer functioning (and it looks like the domain may have been allowed to lapse and is now in the hands of a domain trader).

 

Are we sure about this? Duxford are advertising a twelve ship Spitfire formation at "Meet The Fighters" including four Mk1 aircraft - are there actually four available without P9374?

Edit: Should have checked first - P9374 is explicitly listed on the flying list for the show -
http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/airshows/2016/the-duxford-air-show/flying-list

 

Will almost certainly be helping out on the BBLS stall at the NVR gala but good to see it included in the flying programme nonetheless.

 

I'm sure that I read comments from Captain Erik Brown re poor visibility and difficulties of landing a 2 seat Spitfire when it was piloted from real cockpit. He was not impressed.

(The comments were either in Wings of The Weird and Wonderful or an article in Air International).

 

That must be the polite version. With the way the randome used to stand proud of the round nose we always used to call them whistling t*ts!

 

Sit in a Spitfire at Duxford.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/sit-in-a-spitfire