Spitfire Incident at CYOW

[Latte tester]

Earlier today a Spitfire, mark unknown, had the landing gear collapse on landing. Damage is said to be to the belly and the prop. No injuries to the pilot, Michael Potter. The fuselage lettering, I think, was J MR. The aircraft appears to be a latter type PR series as it is painted that nice blue.....
Hopefully Mr. Potter can get that work of art back in the air as soon as possible, after all, they do sound and look absolutely marvelous and not too many around this part of the world.

[Davaar]

Mr Potter interviewed a few minutes ago on TV News. Unharmed. Reports propeller and other minor damage.

[Vfrpilotpb]

Minor damage! will involve full and complete stripdown of G/Box, Merlin +Supercharge unit for shock loads and rebuild of all will cost a pretty penny or two, but whats money, the man walked ! :eek:

[Davaar]

Today's local paper reports "damage to all four propeller tips" and the undercarriage. The aircraft was lifted by crane, the undercarriage was dropped, and the a/c then towed away. The wings were not damaged. The pilot is quoted: "It's surprising how little damaged she got, really". The aircraft was flown by Sir James Robb during his time as c-in-c Allied airforces in western Europe post-WW2.

[ 11 September 2001: Message edited by: Davaar ]

[BeauMan]

Anyone know which Spitfire this was (reg no / serial) ?

[Lowtimer]

BeauMan,

It's a low-back LF.XVIe, serial SL721. Used to be the star attraction at a petrol station up in the North-West of England for many years after the war. Sold to USA and restored - there was a substantial feature in Aeroplane Monthly a year or two ago.

[henry crun]

A Spitfire which was reputed to be the personal mount of Sir James Robb was parked outside a garage on the A27 at Worthing in the early fifties ?.
Is this the same aircraft ?.

I believe that the owner at that time purchased it as an advertising gimmick and took the engine out to use in a car which was intended to clean up at the speed trials along the Brighton sea front.

Rumour had it that he never overcame the problem of halfshafts breaking when he let the clutch out.

[BeauMan]

Thanks LowTimer. I'm just relieved that the pilot escaped injury.

[Lowtimer]

Beauman, Henry C

On reflection I think Henry C has it right - the petrol station where this Spitfire used to live may well have been in Worthing rather than somewhere further north, as I said (opening my mouth before checking references) :o