View Full Version : Nice to see!
Three Spitfires currently over Portsmouth tail chasing ....lovely to see and hear!
treadigraph
30th Sep 2022, 13:49
Did anyone else look up?
I was in Lyme Regis about 20 years ago and a Spitfire flew low overhead... lovely noise filled the air, everyone else ignored it... thought some of the older gentlemen might have glanced up nostalgically, but no.
Geriaviator
30th Sep 2022, 15:50
Walking back from the shops last year I heard that wonderful growl and rad whistle announcing the passing of the NHS Spitfire, but nobody looked up. No wonder when TV voiceovers rabbit on during the Merlin flybys so nobody can hear the music ...
langleybaston
30th Sep 2022, 16:37
Did anyone else look up?
I was in Lyme Regis about 20 years ago and a Spitfire flew low overhead... lovely noise filled the air, everyone else ignored it... thought some of the older gentlemen might have glanced up nostalgically, but no.
One reason is that lots of we old folk are deaf ................. I rely on my wife to draw attention to the Lancaster, never mind a single Merlin. And yes, I do wear deaf aids but, for example, jobs outside involving noisy tools are best done with harkers turned off or down.
oldmansquipper
30th Sep 2022, 16:53
At an airshow back in the 70s I looked up as Spit hove into view. I turned to my gliding crew chief (A technician on BBMF) and I said
“Ahhhh, merlin, nothing like the sound of a merlin”
”Correct” he said “Nothing like it…..and that’s because it’s the sound of a Griffon”
BEagle
30th Sep 2022, 18:47
Around 40 years ago I was about to start my F-4 OCU course at RAF Coningsby and was enjoying a barbi' lunch with the mates on the previous course. As we were chatting, the BBMF took off for some display...
As the Spit 19 took off, I remarked "That doesn't sound anything like as sweet as a Merlin Spit...."
Not long afterwards, the engine seized and 'GT' just managed to dead stick the aircraft into RAF Woodhall Spa!
Lantern10
1st Oct 2022, 00:40
Had the pleasure of attending a Pink Floyd concert at Knebworth Hall in 1975. The concert opened with two Spitfires circulating the arena.
I guess everyone looked up.
oldpax
2nd Oct 2022, 00:31
I would look up if I heard four Griffons!(plus eight props!)
....And today we have had an Atlas (A400) flying circuits for the last few hours over Portsmouth ...with a couple of trips to the Isle of Wight.
...very unusual for these parts...in fact its the first A400 I have seen in the flesh, so that was nice!
Fortissimo
31st Oct 2022, 17:32
I would look up if I heard four Griffons!(plus eight props!)
I wouldn't look up, but I would definitely put a reminder in my diary for its estimated day of arrival. ;)
Herod
31st Oct 2022, 20:41
Spot on, Fortissimo. Possibly the only aircraft where you use a calendar, and not a watch, to calculate ETA. True story. A certain civilian tower to a Four-Griffon on approach. "Can you give me your best speed? Anything in three figures will do"