Spitfire replica unveiled at Southampton Airport
 

Unveiled at Southampton Airport on Friday - 68 years to the day of the prototype's first flight - was this replica of the Spitfire prototype K5054.

It's on a roundabout at the end of Mitchell Way between the Premier Lodge hotel and a Mercedes dealership (both of whom contributed towards the cost as part of the development deal that allowed both to be built on this site, remainder of funding from the local taxpayers).

Some weasel words from a local council spokesman emphasized it was a celebration of 'local pre-war flying' and not (god forbid!) a celebration of a 'war machine'.

Still, :ok: to Mercedes Benz for helping fund it, even if the local council have had an attack of 'don't mention the war-itis'. :rolleyes:

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co...2/spiteast.jpg

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.../spiteast2.jpg

DB

Excuse my ignorance, but what happened to the original Spitfire prototype K5054?

It was destroyed in an accident at Farnborough on 2nd September 1939, killing the pilot unfortunately.

DamienB,

excellent to see you posting pics again, looking forward to your 2004 Airshow season offerings !

Cheers AR. Might not get to as many shows this year though - will be a bit busy getting my PPL!

;) DB ,

Their must be money in this photography lark if you are going for your PPL, and you've just got married!!!!!

Alas not so far, software is far more lucrative. And I've got to spend the dosh in the bank before Herr Blair and his cronies decide to tax it even further in the budget.

so a 1D MarkII didnt tempt :confused: :E

Oh it tempted alright...! Who knows what may happen...

As DamienB's PPL FI, I'll make sure he's NOT flying on Sundays, so he should still be able to get his camera along to a few airshows ;)

Hashdef

You have my deepest sympathies. :E

DB bagsy I'm your first passenger (after Mrs DB of course) :ok:

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

hashdef is a God among men and does not require sympathies.

And hopefully can now be convinced to swap photos for lessons instead of all those tawdry bits of paper with pound signs on them.

MOTF, I am afraid that even an early bagsie such as this puts you no higher than no.4 in the queue :hmm:

Isnt money so tiresome.

4th is good enough for me :ok:

MOTF Off to check his life insurance

Believe me, not many of "those tawdry bits of paper with pound signs on them" find their way into my pockets :*

Sadly (?) DB may be too late for our special "use of contaminated surfaces" lessons this year.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hashdef...0in%20snow.JPG

That looks... er... 'interesting'! Bet it makes the numbers tricky to spot!!

Looks suspiciously like the a428 around 08:00 hrs to me on a monday morning.

airgage

Not even close. It was at least 300m away from the A428 and it was a Thursday at 11:19.

:D