70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPITFIRE

[KPax]

I believe there will be a celebration of the first flight of the Spitfire near Southampton tomorrow (4 Mar). Was it as good as the Hurricane, and what is the modern day equivelant.

[ZH875]

what is the modern day equivelant.That's easy,....Spitfire.

Good enough to still be flying. And has better guns than a Typhoon.

[Tombstone]

Don't be a D*ck ZH875...

In five years time, we'll all be looking at Typhoon and wishing we were flying it.

[Green Flash]

Ah, but in 70 years time will we all still be looking at Typhoon and wishing we were flying it?:hmm:

[Tombstone]

Probably not...

That said, it is the best bit of FJ kit that we have had for a long time so, who knows!

[Tarnished]

So the Spitfire flew only 18 years before the first flight of the Lightning (well P1B) which in turn was only only 15 years before man landed on the moon, which was only 17 years before the Challenger disaster which was only 18 years before the 100th anniversary of the Wright Bros, which was only 3 years ago. My how time flies.

Think my sums are right, but it is 2hrs afer JD number 1.

1936
1954
1969
1985
2003

[LOMCEVAK]

Or, to put it another way:

Wright Brothers first flight to Spitfire first flight, 33 years

Spitfire first flight to man on the moon, 33 years

Man on the moon to now, almost 37 years.

Where is aeronautics going?

[ZH875]

In five years time, we'll all be looking at Typhoon and wishing we were flying it.Maybe in five years time there will be more serviceable Typhoons than Serviceable Spitfires...:)

[Tombstone]

Thats a fair point!

I'm a fan of Typhoon however, you'll never beat the sound of a Merlin of Griffin engine roaring away!!

Note to self... Get out more.

[FJJP]

Didn't the Typhoon have a Napier?

[Tombstone]

I think it did FJJP,

I was referring to the Spitfire.

[Ghostie31]

Spitfire flypast is tomorrow.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/articles/2006/03/01/spitfire_event_feature.shtml
Saw a couple going over Southampton today, presumably checking the route out.
Awesome sight! can't wait till tomorrow!!
Hope the weather is good!
cheers guys,


Ghostie :ok:

[airborne_artist]

Will be live on News 24, and covered on South Today after the news at about 19.45.

[chippy63]

Does anyone know the route they will take to get to Southampton, or have a link which would tell me ? Thanks in advance.

[SirToppamHat]

My favourite spitfire video:

Spitfire Vs Reporter (http://www.aviationexplorer.com/spitfire_newsman_movie.htm).

I know it's been posted before, but I couldn't resist - just brilliant.

STH

[denachtenmai]

Just out in my back garden, radio tuned to Sam. tower, and 5 Spits in line abreast right over my head, fortunately:) I am about 3 miles east and on the downwind leg for r/h circuit when using 02, magic, thanks guys you sure looked and sounded good!
Regards Den.

[Tombstone]

Top Video SirToppamHat, laughed my socks off, which is just as well as I've been wearing them since Friday! :ok:

[Gingerbread Man]

They sounded quite good from the holding point at Southampton too ;) . Absolutely gourgeous aircraft and fantastic soundtrack - really made my week. Still doesn't beat the one that flew over a poppy field that I was standing in - that was a real weepy :\ .

Ginger :)

[WG774]

BBC Link Here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4775726.stm)

I raise a glass in Reginald Mitchell's honour :ok:

[Green Flash]

Whilst RJM's genius is beyond compare, the Spit might have been a different animal without a certain Rolls Royce product. Who was the genius behind the Kestrel/Merlin/Griffon?

[Gugnunc]

The day should really be a testimony to the vision and financial bravery of Hawker & Camm, and Supermarine and Mitchell.

Both the Hurricane and Spitfire were effectively private initiatives. The Air Ministry wanted open cockpit fixed undercarriage types.

Despite Radar and the Group System, I think the BoB and Operation Sealion would have been a different conclusion if it had been 180kt 4 x .303 gun fixed pitch prop, monoplane versions of Hawker Furies up against Me 109's.

As for Typhoon - once it has a thinner wing and a radial engine I'm sure it will be superb for shooting down Mig's :D

[bjcc]

Photos of the aircraft taking part here:
http://www.ukar.co.uk/board/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=12447
and
http://www.ukar.co.uk/board/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=12418

[Gugnunc]

More info for Green Flash

Not sure who the individuals were behind the Merlin, but it was again a private venture, and a big financial gamble by Rolls Royce.

[Ghostie31]

Obviously the Hurricane had an awesome strike rate. However it was what the Spitfire did to the Germans that defined it.
When German pilots saw the elliptical wings it became a brown trouser moment! Heard a lot of stories of pilots "bugging out" when they saw the Spit.

Best machine ever built!

:ok: