Spitfire First Flight 80-years ago on 5th March 1936
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Spitfire First Flight 80-years ago on 5th March 1936
My local TV channel had an item about the 80th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight on 5th March 1936 being celebrated tomorrow.
80-years old - Congratulations Spitfire!
80-years old - Congratulations Spitfire!
Temora Aviation Museum Celebrates 80th Birthday
It was great to see Australia's only 2 flying Spits in the air today at Temora Aviation Museum. They flew them both to celebrate the 80th anniversary.
I have to admit to a lump in the throat when they both screamed across the airfield in formation. There really is nothing better than the sound of Merlin except 2 Merlins together!
I could have watched and listened to them for hours.
Beautiful birds!
Flyer
I have to admit to a lump in the throat when they both screamed across the airfield in formation. There really is nothing better than the sound of Merlin except 2 Merlins together!
I could have watched and listened to them for hours.
Beautiful birds!
Flyer
In Scone in Australia in the Upper Hunter Valley inland from Newcastle
there are a few interesting restorations on the go. . . . including the Mk 9
referred to here on the Pay's Air Service website. The associated blog of the chief engineer covers in detail the degree of fabrication necessary -
Pay's Flying Museum - Current Restorations
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied air arms during and after the Second World War. The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations. It was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter to be in continuous production throughout the war. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft.
Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX (R.A.F. Serial MH603) was built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory with construction number CBAF.IX.5589 and delivered to 39.M.U. Colerne on the 15 October 1943. It was first taken on charge by 405 A.R.F. at Croydon.
Its first squadron was 331 (Norwegian) Squadron, and it was flown on operations by Capt. Bjorn Bjornstad. According to the AM78 it was taken on charge on the 3rd January 1944. But it was first flown on the 2nd January 1944 and was coded FN-B.
Its next move was to 6.M.U.Brize Norton on the 9th March 1944. From the 1st June until 11th August 1944 it was flown by W/O.S.G.Barker of 274 Squadron, under the command of S/Ldr. J.F. (Stocky) Edwards.
On the 21st August 1944 it was taken on charge by the Flight Leaders School at Milfield. It was transferred on an unknown date to the Central Flying Establishment Langmere. It suffered a flying accident, category B, and was sent to Air Service Training Hamble to be repaired. Repairs were completed on the 25th September 1945, after which it went to 33.M.U.Lyneham Wiltshire. It was recorded at the Air Ministry Home Census of March 1946, and was selected for sale to South Africa on the 15th October 1948 and went to 47 M.U. at Sealand for packing. ME603 sailed from Birkenhead on the 2nd February 1949 for South Africa on the S.S. Clan Campbell. She arrived in South Africa on the 16 March 1949.
Nothing is known about its South African service at this time. It was obtained by Steven Atkins and sold to John Sykes, who started rebuilding it to an airworthy standard. The aircraft was sold to Dr. Joe Scogna of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the project was moved to Q.G. Aviation in Fort Collins, Colorado.
In April 2008, Spitfire IX MH603 was purchased by Provenance Fighter Sales.
In February 2009 the Spitfire was purchased by Pay’s from Provenance Fighter Sales who had ownership of the aircraft since April 2008. The restoration is taking place in Scone by Pay’s and it will be restored as authentically as possible. As of the start of 2014 (VH-IXF) the Spitfire has made good progress. The wings now largely completed as well as the fuselage and tail assembly.
You can stay up to date with the progress of VH-IXF through a blog created by the head engineer of the project at http://paysspitfire.********.com.au
Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Although largely overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
A Scone identity recently acquired this particular Hurricane from Canada.It is C/N 60372, C-FDNL, Mk XII / IIB Serial No 5481, painted to represent P2970 as flown by pilot Officer Geoffrey Page circa 1940. It is in fact a Canadian built example built in 1942 by the Canadian Car and Foundry Co. The Hurricane was restored in the UK and first flew post war in 1991 as G-ORGI and then in 1992 traveled to the USA and in 2003 passed on to Ed Russell in Canada from whom it was purchased for export to Australia.
Pay’s is responsible for the maintenance and operation of this aircraft. First flight following extensive maintenance is scheduled for April 2016.
there are a few interesting restorations on the go. . . . including the Mk 9
referred to here on the Pay's Air Service website. The associated blog of the chief engineer covers in detail the degree of fabrication necessary -
Pay's Flying Museum - Current Restorations
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied air arms during and after the Second World War. The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations. It was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter to be in continuous production throughout the war. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft.
Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX (R.A.F. Serial MH603) was built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory with construction number CBAF.IX.5589 and delivered to 39.M.U. Colerne on the 15 October 1943. It was first taken on charge by 405 A.R.F. at Croydon.
Its first squadron was 331 (Norwegian) Squadron, and it was flown on operations by Capt. Bjorn Bjornstad. According to the AM78 it was taken on charge on the 3rd January 1944. But it was first flown on the 2nd January 1944 and was coded FN-B.
Its next move was to 6.M.U.Brize Norton on the 9th March 1944. From the 1st June until 11th August 1944 it was flown by W/O.S.G.Barker of 274 Squadron, under the command of S/Ldr. J.F. (Stocky) Edwards.
On the 21st August 1944 it was taken on charge by the Flight Leaders School at Milfield. It was transferred on an unknown date to the Central Flying Establishment Langmere. It suffered a flying accident, category B, and was sent to Air Service Training Hamble to be repaired. Repairs were completed on the 25th September 1945, after which it went to 33.M.U.Lyneham Wiltshire. It was recorded at the Air Ministry Home Census of March 1946, and was selected for sale to South Africa on the 15th October 1948 and went to 47 M.U. at Sealand for packing. ME603 sailed from Birkenhead on the 2nd February 1949 for South Africa on the S.S. Clan Campbell. She arrived in South Africa on the 16 March 1949.
Nothing is known about its South African service at this time. It was obtained by Steven Atkins and sold to John Sykes, who started rebuilding it to an airworthy standard. The aircraft was sold to Dr. Joe Scogna of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the project was moved to Q.G. Aviation in Fort Collins, Colorado.
In April 2008, Spitfire IX MH603 was purchased by Provenance Fighter Sales.
In February 2009 the Spitfire was purchased by Pay’s from Provenance Fighter Sales who had ownership of the aircraft since April 2008. The restoration is taking place in Scone by Pay’s and it will be restored as authentically as possible. As of the start of 2014 (VH-IXF) the Spitfire has made good progress. The wings now largely completed as well as the fuselage and tail assembly.
You can stay up to date with the progress of VH-IXF through a blog created by the head engineer of the project at http://paysspitfire.********.com.au
Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Although largely overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
A Scone identity recently acquired this particular Hurricane from Canada.It is C/N 60372, C-FDNL, Mk XII / IIB Serial No 5481, painted to represent P2970 as flown by pilot Officer Geoffrey Page circa 1940. It is in fact a Canadian built example built in 1942 by the Canadian Car and Foundry Co. The Hurricane was restored in the UK and first flew post war in 1991 as G-ORGI and then in 1992 traveled to the USA and in 2003 passed on to Ed Russell in Canada from whom it was purchased for export to Australia.
Pay’s is responsible for the maintenance and operation of this aircraft. First flight following extensive maintenance is scheduled for April 2016.
Last edited by Fantome; 5th Mar 2016 at 10:59.
I switched on the car radio this lunchtime and to commemorate the day Classic FM was playing Spitfire Prelude and Fugue which William Walton composed for The First of the Few. Nice touch, I thought.
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Spitcanes/Hurrifires?
Watched one of the early BBC news bulletins with nice air to air of the two seat Spitfire, newsreader mentioned the BofB and immediately up came footage of fighters scrambling - Hurricanes!! It wasn't repeated.
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Lieutenant - a deputy or substitute acting for a superior.
The word lieutenant derives from French; the lieu meaning "place" as in a position (cf. in lieu of); and tenant meaning "holding" as in "holding a position"; thus a "lieutenant" is somebody who holds a superior's position in his or her absence.
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Many people assume that lieutenant-colonel means a higher rank than colonel, but, just like lance (as in lance corporal) it is a lesser rank.
Danny, have you tried to blag a flight in one of those two-seat Spitfires? I know one chap who has, and he's older than you! Last time he'd flown one was 1943 and he said it seemed like yesterday. Dont think they let him land it though!
I grew up near RAF Woodvale while the THUM Flight was there in the 50s..
This was my daily soundtrack..!
This was my daily soundtrack..!
Last edited by PPRuNeUser0139; 7th Mar 2016 at 07:40.
Thread Starter
Spitfire - some stats
...and some video of the first flight here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tflwAyFNWyI
...and an hour-long BBC2 documentary about the Spitfire from 1976:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDzZnCkbxgs
...and some video of the first flight here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tflwAyFNWyI
...and an hour-long BBC2 documentary about the Spitfire from 1976:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDzZnCkbxgs
Last edited by Warmtoast; 7th Mar 2016 at 11:48. Reason: Add video links
A little update:
Cost of the most expensive spitfire sold recently: 3.1 million including commission.
Running cost of a spitfire to day: approx 5k/hr.
numbers still flying globally: 71. Quite common as a collectors item!
all the 2 seaters were 'modded' after the war. The irish started the 'fad'.
I believe there are 21 'marques' of spitfire.
The americans flew them in the war.
During the war, it took 3 women a week to make a wing, now it takes a year.
There are only a handful of 'genuine' spitfires around the world. The rest have been built from new around the original serial data plate.
Cost of the most expensive spitfire sold recently: 3.1 million including commission.
Running cost of a spitfire to day: approx 5k/hr.
numbers still flying globally: 71. Quite common as a collectors item!
all the 2 seaters were 'modded' after the war. The irish started the 'fad'.
I believe there are 21 'marques' of spitfire.
The americans flew them in the war.
During the war, it took 3 women a week to make a wing, now it takes a year.
There are only a handful of 'genuine' spitfires around the world. The rest have been built from new around the original serial data plate.