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Good to see they got the Lanc working, but what a pathetic fly past, no Spits or Hurries? (I know they broke a spit in Kent this week)
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>> Good to see they got the Lanc working, but what a pathetic fly past, no
>> Spits or Hurries? (I know they broke a spit in Kent this week)
BBMF lost a Spit and a pilot last year.
The one that came down in Kent had been butchered as a two seater to do flights at eyewatering cost. Private owner based at, I think, Biggin Hill.
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>> The one that came down in Kent had been butchered as a two seater to
>> do flights at eyewatering cost. Private owner based at, I think, Biggin Hill.
Apparently it - Quote "made a precautionary off airfield landing"
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>The one that came down in Kent had been butchered as a two seater to do flights at eyewatering cost.
£3250 for a 30 minute flight.
www.spitfires.com/
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The one that came down in Kent had been butchered as a two seater.
Who did the butchering ? I though they built a few two seaters
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>> Who did the butchering ? I though they built a few two seaters
A handful if that.
ISTR there was one airworthy two seater when I started out as a spotter/enthusiast 50 years ago.
Later ones are conversions as there's money to be made as set out in this thread. Miss B's Mother in Law was sort of interested in a flight for her next significant birthday. There's an episode on BBC Alba of a Gaelic speaking retired airline pilot who had a trip on one c90 years of age.
Not necessarily wholly bad as they're more airworthy examples and keep engineering etc facilities going.
Just not real Spits that's all.
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Came across this which is quite apt.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm9Qx1A3U6s
Filmed up the road - I think the Heritage Hanger at BH has the largest collection of airworthy Spitfires plus by the looks of things in this programme they have a Bf 109 in the background undergoing some kind of restoration - the sound of a Merlin is quite common but for me it doesn't compare to the distinctive sound of a DB 605.
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Watched them heading in on Flight Radar. Couldn't find them to begin with until a live interview with an RAF Officer indicated that they grouped over Norwich before flying in over Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford. Strange there were no Spitfires or Hurricanes. Saving for Thursday?
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Quite gusty round Henley this morning and some enthusiasts sites say wind may have affected the formation's meet up and route. Might also have limited Spit/Hurri ops?
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Spit flew low over our house on Wed. or Thur. afternoon heading NE over Basingstoke so I presumed it would be taking part in the VE day flypast.
It had a peculiar engine note though, not the usual Merlin rumble.
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>> It had a peculiar engine note though, not the usual Merlin rumble.
Later ones often had Griffon engines, might have been that?
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Don't know. It just wasn't the familiar rumble. It was a noticeably higher pitch.
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>> Don't know. It just wasn't the familiar rumble. It was a noticeably higher pitch.
There are also quite a few replica Spits on varying scales most with modern engines.
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I didn't know that. It was probably one of those then.
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>> Don't know. It just wasn't the familiar rumble. It was a noticeably higher pitch.
Sound of the supercharger? They try not to run them at higher pressures very often.
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>Sound of the supercharger? They try not to run them at higher pressures very often.
No, the easiest analogy would be like the difference in sound between a Euro V8 and an American V8. Difficult to describe but more buzz than rumble.
I think Bromp is probably right that it could have been a replica with an inferior engine.
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>> No, the easiest analogy would be like the difference in sound between a Euro V8
>> and an American V8. Difficult to describe but more buzz than rumble.
All sorts of factors can affect perception of engine noise from prop pitch through atmospherics, wind speed/direction and power setting.
We've a two seat Spit locally at Sywell and a couple of other warbirds from WW2. I can usually identify them from engine noise etc but not infallibly.
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There was a distinct difference to the sound I'm accustomed to and this one was in level flight right above us so I'm sure it wasn't prop pitch, rpm or power settings etc.
Popham airfield is just down the road and Charles Church used to exercise his Spitfire above us at Popham clay shoot on Sunday mornings before it killed him so I've heard a Spitfire doing all sorts of aerial manoeuvres.
I think your first suggestion is most likely.
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Living in Biggin we are a bit blasé with the sound of Spitfires once the the spring comes and the pleasure flights start, usually run all day until quite late as long as the weather is ok. Even though Biggin run two seater Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Mustang in theory all running Merlins once you get your ear in there is a definite difference in the sound of a Spitfire and Hurricane.
Around here if you can hear the Spitfires flying then you know the weather is going to be ok.
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>> Good to see they got the Lanc working, but what a pathetic fly past, no
>> Spits or Hurries? (I know they broke a spit in Kent this week)
>>
Still grounded from the crash last year i believe. Though there are plans to get them flying again soon(ish)
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VE Day in a local Old Folk's Home
Fred Walker, ex RAF celebrated his 105th Birthday on Monday 5th
Fred's late wife was in the air force at the same time. She was from Birmingham and posted to Dyce (Now Aberdeen Airport) in 1942 - the same time as Fred. Married 1944.
When he was 100 his daughter, who lives in Washington State, could not visit him due to Covid but made it here for his 105th Birthday.
Maybe no Falkirk fly past but the local Home got some flags out for VE Day & his birthday
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105! Wow, what an innings!
Hats off Sir.
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My Uncle made 105 and died two months short of his 106th last year. Became a bit of a local celebrity in Preston. He was refurbishing and flying light aircraft up to 93 when he could no longer obtain insurance. He was inspecting and certifying wooden framed aircraft until 103. Founding member of the REME Association.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/funeral-held-for-lancashire-ww2-veteran-ernest-horsfall-who-died-aged-105-4556917
Even a glimpse of FC himself on the video. At the back with head between two pictures; yes the handsome one. :)
Last edited by: Fullchat on Tue 6 May 25 at 22:53
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VE day - Bromptonaut
