Spitfire down
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Avoid imitations
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Coningsby is hardly small - it housed V-bombers. Spits operated and operate from grass strips a tiny fraction of the length of Coningsby's runway.
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Let’s not speculate, let the AAIB and MAA do their job. Remember the military is a small knit community and family members, as well as friends of the pilot, as we have already seen, could and can visit these pages.
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The aircraft came to rest 200m from the taxiway. See the 2nd photo here https://news.sky.com/story/pilot-killed-*in-spitfire-crash-in-lincolnshire-is-nam*ed-13143447 and this video https://www.facebook.com/HitsRadioLincs/*videos/878305174060319?locale=en_GB They put the aircraft in the centre of this image, in the hedge between the house and the ploughed field https://maps.app.goo.gl/1k3XxzTiG88CMLmB*8.
As horrible a loss as this is - it’s a bit of a strange take.
What I mean by that is - what did anyone share that was particularly offensive? The loss of life is tragic. And I am really sorry for your loss if it is indeed someone you know.
But equally, if you are lucky enough to fly such iconic aircraft, you loved the attention you got doing so - just flying a boring pattern in a spitfire draws attention.
So when one goes down, of course people will talk with the status of said aircraft.
The negative of that of course, is that its likely one of X number of people flying it - single digits.
But just as equally - the select lucky few that do, know how tricky the spitfire can be in a power loss on T/O can be - if the witness reports are accurate.
I truly am sorry that somebody has died and we’ve lost an historic aircraft with it.
But being privileged to fly this beauty, comes with attention - good as well as bad.
Its like the posts all over X stating these aircraft should now be banned and retired. These warbirds are probably looked after better than 99.9% of any GA single engine aircraft - as i reminded them - better ban the Cessna's and bonanzas etc too then.
Believe this aircraft was also active yesterday and functioned normally.
RIP Pilot
What I mean by that is - what did anyone share that was particularly offensive? The loss of life is tragic. And I am really sorry for your loss if it is indeed someone you know.
But equally, if you are lucky enough to fly such iconic aircraft, you loved the attention you got doing so - just flying a boring pattern in a spitfire draws attention.
So when one goes down, of course people will talk with the status of said aircraft.
The negative of that of course, is that its likely one of X number of people flying it - single digits.
But just as equally - the select lucky few that do, know how tricky the spitfire can be in a power loss on T/O can be - if the witness reports are accurate.
I truly am sorry that somebody has died and we’ve lost an historic aircraft with it.
But being privileged to fly this beauty, comes with attention - good as well as bad.
Its like the posts all over X stating these aircraft should now be banned and retired. These warbirds are probably looked after better than 99.9% of any GA single engine aircraft - as i reminded them - better ban the Cessna's and bonanzas etc too then.
Believe this aircraft was also active yesterday and functioned normally.
RIP Pilot
I was on the crew of a neighbouring HEMS unit and heard the crew that went being tasked to it.
Being a member of Coningsby Spotters FB group I had a brief look, hoping to see comments of a positive nature, instead one of the members had already posted that the pilot was deceased within minutes of the accident and before the HEMS aircraft had landed.
That’s not acceptable, if it’s bad family deserve to know before everyone else apart from the responders. In fairness to the people who run the group they saw it and temporarily closed the group to everyone, it’s still closed today.
The following 7 users liked this post by VeeAny:
I found the opening post of this thread:
and those following it to be a distasteful fishing expedition even before the sad news of a death was announced. It's one thing having something to offer, like an eyewitness account or links to credible reporting, but to venture forth on the basis of 'hearing reports' having scoured the 'socials' and inviting comment from 'anyone' really was terribly disrespectful. Perhaps the OP can reflect on that now, knowing what was actually going on at the time.
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No, I read that as he was informing the forum of a strong rumour, but stating nothing had been reported to confirm it as yet and asking if anyone else had seen reports of the accident. He was not being disrespectful because it was only later in the day that the tragic loss of the pilot was confirmed.
The following 21 users liked this post by NutLoose:
I found the opening post of this thread:
and those following it to be a distasteful fishing expedition even before the sad news of a death was announced. It's one thing having something to offer, like an eyewitness account or links to credible reporting, but to venture forth on the basis of 'hearing reports' having scoured the 'socials' and inviting comment from 'anyone' really was terribly disrespectful. Perhaps the OP can reflect on that now, knowing what was actually going on at the time.
and those following it to be a distasteful fishing expedition even before the sad news of a death was announced. It's one thing having something to offer, like an eyewitness account or links to credible reporting, but to venture forth on the basis of 'hearing reports' having scoured the 'socials' and inviting comment from 'anyone' really was terribly disrespectful. Perhaps the OP can reflect on that now, knowing what was actually going on at the time.
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In respect for a good pilot and his family, wait for the report, no value in any speculation. Thoughts with all the family, friends and wider Coningsby community at this most difficult of times.
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Very sad that in an attempt to safely recover the aircraft the option of a forced landing, likely to be survivable, was in all probably discounted, with the ultimate price paid.
RIP
The following 2 users liked this post by CAEBr:
I respect the military and the job they do. However they are funded by the tax payer. Therefore we have a bit of a right to ask questions. This is how we learn.
I know the military will close ranks on this. That will also achieve nothing.
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I understand that. But humans being humans, we like to have an idea of why a fellow aviator perished.
I respect the military and the job they do. However they are funded by the tax payer. Therefore we have a bit of a right to ask questions. This is how we learn.
I know the military will close ranks on this. That will also achieve nothing.
I respect the military and the job they do. However they are funded by the tax payer. Therefore we have a bit of a right to ask questions. This is how we learn.
I know the military will close ranks on this. That will also achieve nothing.
The following 16 users liked this post by Fortissimo:
There are many of us on the journalist's side of the fence who might also have been tempted to knock on Mrs Long's door. I can't imagine any of us actually doing so but if we had done, it would have only been to deliver flowers and a probably slightly awkward but heartfelt statement of how very much her husband meant to us, and that we are completely at her service, whenever and wherever.
I condemn anyone who door-stepped her for a story - that's loathsome, unethical and unforgiveable, and the individual concern needs to be reported and disciplined.
I do not think anyone has a 'RIGHT' to ask questions, though human nature being what it is, there will be speculation, and it might be wise for the most wild examples to be gently damped down? On that basis, I suspect that CAEBr may have done something of a service, by providing an alternative explanation to the 'engine failed/attempted turnback' narrative.
I condemn anyone who door-stepped her for a story - that's loathsome, unethical and unforgiveable, and the individual concern needs to be reported and disciplined.
I do not think anyone has a 'RIGHT' to ask questions, though human nature being what it is, there will be speculation, and it might be wise for the most wild examples to be gently damped down? On that basis, I suspect that CAEBr may have done something of a service, by providing an alternative explanation to the 'engine failed/attempted turnback' narrative.
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Tribute
During the 1970’s 207 Sqn had the task of escorting the Spitfires and Hurricanes for their displays.
The aircraft were not cleared for instrument flying and the British weather was often a problem. With a valuable aircraft and a crowd to please, it was not always an easy decision to decide to fly. No problem for the Basset, we could easily climb if the cloud base was not as high as forecast but not our WW2 aircraft. In fact on one occasion, due to a “navigation error” we almost took out the top of Melton Mowbray TV mast.
Any pilot volunteering was and is exceptional. In the early days there were pilots who had actually flown Spitfires and Hurricanes. I don’t remember there being a Chipmunk then. Todays pilots have very limited time on the aircraft and the “poor man’s Spitfire” doesn’t really fill the gap.
There is a great desire to save the aircraft when things go wrong.
I sadly lost a colleague in the Mosquito crash at Barton due to incorrect servicing of the carburettor by the same company that serviced those of the Memorial Flight. Fortunately there were no further incidents but as time passes the expertise disappears with retirements.
For me it was an enjoyable experience and long may we enjoy the sound of a Merlin engine.
A sad loss indeed.
Last edited by Nuasea; 27th May 2024 at 23:26.
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Jacko,
A former colleague of mine lost his son in Iraq. He had to call the police to evict a journo who'd climbed over his back fence to take pictures of the grieving family through their lounge windows.
Is it any wonder that, in some circles, such people are treated with the contempt they have 'earned'?
A former colleague of mine lost his son in Iraq. He had to call the police to evict a journo who'd climbed over his back fence to take pictures of the grieving family through their lounge windows.
Is it any wonder that, in some circles, such people are treated with the contempt they have 'earned'?
The following 5 users liked this post by bobward:
Dear Richard Jones
Sir,
Please read this as a respectful and sincere reply to your above message where you say the following
I know the military will close ranks on this. That will also achieve nothing.
I’m afraid to say you are quite wrong with this statement. The military will do a thorough and professional investigation which will be made public in time, the lessons of which will be clearly articulated. We must first be patient and allow the investigative team the time to establish the facts.
Proof of this openness is easy to find. Every major accident has the full report made public, just search and you will find them.
Within military aviation we have a very open culture to reporting issues and acting upon them. We never ‘close ranks’, we do make mistakes, like every organisation, but we have everything in place to report them and learn from them. Our safety culture is world leading and I’m sure many are very proud of it.
kind regards
RIP Sqn Ldr Long
Please read this as a respectful and sincere reply to your above message where you say the following
I know the military will close ranks on this. That will also achieve nothing.
I’m afraid to say you are quite wrong with this statement. The military will do a thorough and professional investigation which will be made public in time, the lessons of which will be clearly articulated. We must first be patient and allow the investigative team the time to establish the facts.
Proof of this openness is easy to find. Every major accident has the full report made public, just search and you will find them.
Within military aviation we have a very open culture to reporting issues and acting upon them. We never ‘close ranks’, we do make mistakes, like every organisation, but we have everything in place to report them and learn from them. Our safety culture is world leading and I’m sure many are very proud of it.
kind regards
RIP Sqn Ldr Long
The following 5 users liked this post by Jon Jon Jon:
Jacko,
A former colleague of mine lost his son in Iraq. He had to call the police to evict a journo who'd climbed over his back fence to take pictures of the grieving family through their lounge windows.
Is it any wonder that, in some circles, such people are treated with the contempt they have 'earned'?
A former colleague of mine lost his son in Iraq. He had to call the police to evict a journo who'd climbed over his back fence to take pictures of the grieving family through their lounge windows.
Is it any wonder that, in some circles, such people are treated with the contempt they have 'earned'?
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