Will anyone let me fly....
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Join Date: Feb 2002
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Will anyone let me fly....
....their Spitfire?
Just once before I die? No it's not immenent I've got a few years yet.
I'm serious, it's something I really want to do before I'm too old to do it so.........!
Any offers considered, even polishing it first for 5 years or so to be worthy.
Rick
Just once before I die? No it's not immenent I've got a few years yet.
I'm serious, it's something I really want to do before I'm too old to do it so.........!
Any offers considered, even polishing it first for 5 years or so to be worthy.
Rick
Join Date: Oct 1999
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There are a few 2-seaters around, including that of Carolyn Grace. I understand you can buy time in them - but naturally, it's not cheap.
Usually, it's from the back seat. Unlikely you'd get the front. And if it's a single seater you're after, I think you'd have to own it.
SSD
Usually, it's from the back seat. Unlikely you'd get the front. And if it's a single seater you're after, I think you'd have to own it.
SSD
Or for second best, go to Australia and fly a supermarine Mk.26
I did try to persuade one of my UK employers to certify and license-build this, but failed miserably. Nonetheless, I want one and this may one-day be my retirement project.
G
I did try to persuade one of my UK employers to certify and license-build this, but failed miserably. Nonetheless, I want one and this may one-day be my retirement project.
G
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Thanks for the tips, the little ones look nice but there is one small problem...the Merlin is missing!
I realize it's going to be back seat, front seat would be Christmas/Birthday/Barmitzva etc all in one just to be in it in the air would make my day/month/year/life!
Do the 2 seaters have duals? That would be nice.
Has Mrs. Grace got a web site or email???
I realize it's going to be back seat, front seat would be Christmas/Birthday/Barmitzva etc all in one just to be in it in the air would make my day/month/year/life!
Do the 2 seaters have duals? That would be nice.
Has Mrs. Grace got a web site or email???
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CyclicRick - I might possibly be able to make your dreams come true!!
You will need a reasonable\large (depends on circumstances) sized bank balance to contribute to the cost of the flight, be fit and meet certain weight and height limits. We do a limited number of flights each year and there is currently a waiting list of people, I cannot garentee that you'll be accepted for a flight but ...... !
The Spitfire has a full set of contols in the rear and has a REAL Merlin bolted to the front.
Not sure if you can contact me by private e-mail through pprune as I'm new to pprune, if you can I can give you further details. If not let me know how I can get hold of you.
We are not allowed to advertise hence the reason for personal contact.
You will need a reasonable\large (depends on circumstances) sized bank balance to contribute to the cost of the flight, be fit and meet certain weight and height limits. We do a limited number of flights each year and there is currently a waiting list of people, I cannot garentee that you'll be accepted for a flight but ...... !
The Spitfire has a full set of contols in the rear and has a REAL Merlin bolted to the front.
Not sure if you can contact me by private e-mail through pprune as I'm new to pprune, if you can I can give you further details. If not let me know how I can get hold of you.
We are not allowed to advertise hence the reason for personal contact.
, not much hope for 2003 now but 2004 is a possibility at the moment
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Bus429
I think you will find this is not done for hire or reward as such, but if the CAA WANTED to make an issue of it they probably could be a lot more awkward about it than they are, so please don't try to make an issue of it or the opportunity for flying these aircraft may be severely reduced.
I think you will find this is not done for hire or reward as such, but if the CAA WANTED to make an issue of it they probably could be a lot more awkward about it than they are, so please don't try to make an issue of it or the opportunity for flying these aircraft may be severely reduced.
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Hello Chipmunk2, Hello Everybody,
I have flown on back seat of P51 in Brisbane, Austalia last year. Generally, this is not very cheap flying time but - what can I say - there were controls for back-seater so worth...
Now, my grandfather who died last year spend 5 years in Fighter Command as a mechanic - Spitfire is a must for me one day.
I did see 80% Spitfire called "Mk.26" od Supermarine from Brisbane - very nice people. If someone like to contact them - let me know. I think that there is already one in UK.
Coming back to real Spitfire:. If it's possible to touch controls of one from back seat (I understand on special cost&conditions) - I would be very interested.
Please give some details - which Spitfire is this?
Happy Landings,
I have flown on back seat of P51 in Brisbane, Austalia last year. Generally, this is not very cheap flying time but - what can I say - there were controls for back-seater so worth...
Now, my grandfather who died last year spend 5 years in Fighter Command as a mechanic - Spitfire is a must for me one day.
I did see 80% Spitfire called "Mk.26" od Supermarine from Brisbane - very nice people. If someone like to contact them - let me know. I think that there is already one in UK.
Coming back to real Spitfire:. If it's possible to touch controls of one from back seat (I understand on special cost&conditions) - I would be very interested.
Please give some details - which Spitfire is this?
Happy Landings,
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Unfortunately Carolyns Spit is sitting in in the hangar at Duxford with its engine in bits. (A gear in the supercharger so I'm told).
I asked how much it costs to run such a beast. The figure of £2500/hr was bandied about!!
I asked how much it costs to run such a beast. The figure of £2500/hr was bandied about!!
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Mrokowski - will send private message to you.
Say again slowly - there not wrong about the costs, in fact they may be slightly better off as at least their maintainance is on their doorstep. The more used Spits average about 50 hrs a year so all the costs incurred are spread across just those hours.
Say again slowly - there not wrong about the costs, in fact they may be slightly better off as at least their maintainance is on their doorstep. The more used Spits average about 50 hrs a year so all the costs incurred are spread across just those hours.
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Oh!? You are talking on Carolyns Spit - (former ZF-O from 308) ? Well, well...
I've just spend an hour looking 1001 time on my grandfather old pictures...
What can I say - 2500 pounds is a lot of money....
Twin seater P51 is around 2000+ $ as well...
Good thing is that 30 min orientation flight is ok to feel how it flies. But it’s much better hourwise to save for aerobatic in Z526...
I've just spend an hour looking 1001 time on my grandfather old pictures...
What can I say - 2500 pounds is a lot of money....
Twin seater P51 is around 2000+ $ as well...
Good thing is that 30 min orientation flight is ok to feel how it flies. But it’s much better hourwise to save for aerobatic in Z526...
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Mark 22,
You right. In meantime I rechecked that ML407 was propably ZF-R. On my picture it's only part of serial "M" visible. The reason was that I had remebered that I had a picture of Waclaw Stanski with dedication for my grandfather. Stanski flew ML407 - I have checked it once. I took the album and which reminded me the whole story but it was some time last time I "upgraded myself" on this. Only after I realized that Stanski was flying both -O and also -R which was ML407. Sorry...
...but still seeing/flying ML407 is interesting.
Most of old pictures I have are from cockpit foward or front. Only ZF- O, Y, Z and F can be easliy verified fromn whole set.
I know that Mr.Hugh R. Smallwood wrote a book once on the plane - does anybody know where to buy it / how to contact him?
I am tracking now ZF-O serial and waiting for news on ML407...
You right. In meantime I rechecked that ML407 was propably ZF-R. On my picture it's only part of serial "M" visible. The reason was that I had remebered that I had a picture of Waclaw Stanski with dedication for my grandfather. Stanski flew ML407 - I have checked it once. I took the album and which reminded me the whole story but it was some time last time I "upgraded myself" on this. Only after I realized that Stanski was flying both -O and also -R which was ML407. Sorry...
...but still seeing/flying ML407 is interesting.
Most of old pictures I have are from cockpit foward or front. Only ZF- O, Y, Z and F can be easliy verified fromn whole set.
I know that Mr.Hugh R. Smallwood wrote a book once on the plane - does anybody know where to buy it / how to contact him?
I am tracking now ZF-O serial and waiting for news on ML407...
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'Mrokowski'
MJ342 was ZF-O and there were others. I will check further.
2nd TAF Spitfire - The story of Spitfire ML407 by Hugh Smallwood. A copy is available at Abebooks.com at $15. Be quick.
'Mark22'
MJ342 was ZF-O and there were others. I will check further.
2nd TAF Spitfire - The story of Spitfire ML407 by Hugh Smallwood. A copy is available at Abebooks.com at $15. Be quick.
'Mark22'
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Foxmoth,
My input would cut little ice - the CAA aren't that stupid. There are reasons why PTF aircraft are not certified for hire or reward. You would probably find you would not be covered by insurance if you were to pay for a flight in any such aircraft. The only legal way to get around it would be to be considered essential crew. Permits usually specify the conditions under which the aircraft could be flown. CAP 632 also stipulates how these aircraft are to be operated.
If you want to fly this aircraft, get involved with one of the many groups now operating these aircraft.
My input would cut little ice - the CAA aren't that stupid. There are reasons why PTF aircraft are not certified for hire or reward. You would probably find you would not be covered by insurance if you were to pay for a flight in any such aircraft. The only legal way to get around it would be to be considered essential crew. Permits usually specify the conditions under which the aircraft could be flown. CAP 632 also stipulates how these aircraft are to be operated.
If you want to fly this aircraft, get involved with one of the many groups now operating these aircraft.
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Hello Everybody,
Thank you everybody - this exchange is very informative for me:.
Thank you 'Mark 22' - I am looking now for the book in place you told.
Thank you 'Bus429' - I find that in CAP 632 Annex C there is "Guidance on Experience Requirements to Fly Jet or High Performance Piston Engine Aeroplanes" and in Chapter 6 "Pilot/Crew Qualification". I don't have full subscription on CAPs so I can get it right now and check what's inside but I understand that this is it?
I have thought about being suport member of a group like this but I am not in position being1 or 3h drive from a warbird home so my support could be a visit per year ... be "very theoretical". Maybe I should?
Thank you everybody - this exchange is very informative for me:.
Thank you 'Mark 22' - I am looking now for the book in place you told.
Thank you 'Bus429' - I find that in CAP 632 Annex C there is "Guidance on Experience Requirements to Fly Jet or High Performance Piston Engine Aeroplanes" and in Chapter 6 "Pilot/Crew Qualification". I don't have full subscription on CAPs so I can get it right now and check what's inside but I understand that this is it?
I have thought about being suport member of a group like this but I am not in position being1 or 3h drive from a warbird home so my support could be a visit per year ... be "very theoretical". Maybe I should?
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Mrokowski,
I little bit of research from my fellow Polish historian who tells me the following Spitfires were codes ZF-O.
Mk II P8140 (mid-1941),
Mk V P8561 (mid-1942),
F.IX BS506 (late 1943),
LF.IX MK720 (early to mid-1944),
LF.IX MK156 (mid- to late 1944),
LF.IX MJ342 (late1944/early 1945),
Mk XVI TB995 (early 1945-1946).
Mark22
I little bit of research from my fellow Polish historian who tells me the following Spitfires were codes ZF-O.
Mk II P8140 (mid-1941),
Mk V P8561 (mid-1942),
F.IX BS506 (late 1943),
LF.IX MK720 (early to mid-1944),
LF.IX MK156 (mid- to late 1944),
LF.IX MJ342 (late1944/early 1945),
Mk XVI TB995 (early 1945-1946).
Mark22