Canadian Lancaster to visit UK in August 2014!

Going OT I know, but there is a lovely Mark I Spitfire just returned to the airshow circuit, a genuine Battle of France veteran and presented in that colour scheme - see http://markonepartners.co.uk There is a grace in the air about the early Spitfires that the later ones just seem to lack - IMHO.



Spitfire Mk 1a N3200 by Jamessquared, on Flickr

Tom

 

And if you have deep pockets, their other Mk1 is now for sale...

 

1, 4, 9, 17, 26 and 35 and the bonus ball is 27...

Tom

 

That's the 92 Sqd one. I'm just a Euromillion win away from buying it. I just hope it stays in this country.

 

just make sure you know how to fly one first, be a bit daft to put it on it's nose on the takeoff run

 

"Left hand down bit ... oh lumme!"

Tom

 

you have to get the thing lined up first!! easier said than done, when you cant see a thing till the tail lifts, then whats your flap setting, your trim, rudder to offset the swing on take off. back to the tiger moth i think,

 

No problem. A good friend of mine flies a Spitfire - amongst other things - at air displays.

 

Not sure the Spitfire was ever used as a helicopter.

 

That's why pilots used to zig zag while taxying.

 

And which way to offset the swing depending on whether it's a Griffon or a Merlin up front….

 

Sadly, more than one owner has been killed flying their newly acquired toy, or even while learning to fly it (I believe new owner and instructor both killed in one of the two seaters)…sticking it's nose in the turf would be a relatively minor mishap, and has been known to happen to the pros too.

 

thats why the BBMF put you in a chippy before you even get near either a hurricane or spitfire, , im very surprised that they didnt add a harvard or 2 to the collection, it must still be a big step from going from a chipmonk straight onto any of the single seaters ,or do they have an agreement to "borrow " other trainers if they need to?

 

The pilots chosen for the Spitfire and Hurricane are already used to very high power aircraft. The Chippy is to give them experience of handling a tail dragger.

 

Mind you, a Chipmunk is still quite a fun aircraft to fly - even I managed some simple aerobatics in one when still a teenage schoolboy in the CCF

 

Flown in one but not flown one. Experienced my first loop, barrel roll and "fighter break" on that flight. Great fun.