Hairyplane
25th Jan 2004, 01:33
Reading through the interesting 'plastic spitfire' thread with reference also to the Southampton replica; and cuddling a recently retrieved ('nother story...!) and well-worn Irvin jacket prompts me to start a thread on Clive Du Cros' wooden Spitfire.
Clive is a remarkable bloke who nurtured from childhood an ambition to fly a Spitfire.
The trouble was, with Spitfires at a million quid and...oh yes...zero flying experience(!) He decided to build one.
Over the course of ten years he designed and built a full size replica of the prototype, powered by a V12 Jaguar engine, complete with custom-made reduction gear and a Harvard prop.
The story is well documented in Clives book - I think it was called 'On Wooden Wings' but can't quite remember as my copy was lent (forever it seems...) years ago.
During the build he decided to learn to fly. So, off he went to the nearest flying club and did it on a Tomahawk. Just kidding there - that wouldn't be Clive at all! He found a pile of bits that used to be Messenger G-AKBO, restored that to flying condition and leaned on it!
Back to the project - it finally flew with the great Peter Thorne (ex BBMF).
After several hours of testing and a catalogue of problems, mainly cooling, came the day and Clive flew it just once. Whether it was a pouting bottie or 'I've done it now, lets me resume my life after a 10-year interruption - who knows.
Unfortunately, whilst being tested for a full Permit it suffered a gear-up landing accident, I believe through mismanagement of the controls and being a one piece machine, it was sawn in 2 behind the cockpit and lorried off.
There was talk of it flying again ( I talked about it!) but regrettably, it suffered an even worse fate by having its wings sawn through to become a trailerable exhibit.
I last saw it at RIAT with a 'sit in a Spitfire' sandwich board alongside.
What a shame...
I went on to acquire G-AKBO and this nurtured my interest in everything MMMmmmiles (see my thread on this forum).
Clive was involved in the CofA that became due 8 months after acquisition and I got to know him and Britt, his long suffering (and now unfortunately 'ex') wife quite well.
I say, 'quite well' because Clive is a man of mystery and great depth - I doubt if anybody has ever got to know the inner bloke.
What about the Irvin? Clive wore it in the Spit and sold it to me when he decided to give up flying and move to Spain.
The last I heard he had taken up boating there......
Great guy, great memories. Anybody else out there know him?
I would love to send him a hello and catch up on his news.
HP
Clive is a remarkable bloke who nurtured from childhood an ambition to fly a Spitfire.
The trouble was, with Spitfires at a million quid and...oh yes...zero flying experience(!) He decided to build one.
Over the course of ten years he designed and built a full size replica of the prototype, powered by a V12 Jaguar engine, complete with custom-made reduction gear and a Harvard prop.
The story is well documented in Clives book - I think it was called 'On Wooden Wings' but can't quite remember as my copy was lent (forever it seems...) years ago.
During the build he decided to learn to fly. So, off he went to the nearest flying club and did it on a Tomahawk. Just kidding there - that wouldn't be Clive at all! He found a pile of bits that used to be Messenger G-AKBO, restored that to flying condition and leaned on it!
Back to the project - it finally flew with the great Peter Thorne (ex BBMF).
After several hours of testing and a catalogue of problems, mainly cooling, came the day and Clive flew it just once. Whether it was a pouting bottie or 'I've done it now, lets me resume my life after a 10-year interruption - who knows.
Unfortunately, whilst being tested for a full Permit it suffered a gear-up landing accident, I believe through mismanagement of the controls and being a one piece machine, it was sawn in 2 behind the cockpit and lorried off.
There was talk of it flying again ( I talked about it!) but regrettably, it suffered an even worse fate by having its wings sawn through to become a trailerable exhibit.
I last saw it at RIAT with a 'sit in a Spitfire' sandwich board alongside.
What a shame...
I went on to acquire G-AKBO and this nurtured my interest in everything MMMmmmiles (see my thread on this forum).
Clive was involved in the CofA that became due 8 months after acquisition and I got to know him and Britt, his long suffering (and now unfortunately 'ex') wife quite well.
I say, 'quite well' because Clive is a man of mystery and great depth - I doubt if anybody has ever got to know the inner bloke.
What about the Irvin? Clive wore it in the Spit and sold it to me when he decided to give up flying and move to Spain.
The last I heard he had taken up boating there......
Great guy, great memories. Anybody else out there know him?
I would love to send him a hello and catch up on his news.
HP