low flying spitfire

[Jimbob]

My son-in-law has just been to the Goodwood speed week and had hoped to see a Spitfire fly pass as part of the recent Battle of Britain commemorations . Unlucky, There had been previous fly by's as per this photo. The youtube clip of a lowflying Spit is also interesting
apologies if posted previously

[hhfarang]

Hey Spitfire,

Resize that photo and use it as your avatar!

[Spitfire]

Jimbob,
You caught me at the weekend, was on the way to the pub for a bitter.

You're lucky to see one still flying these days, think there are only about 5 left that are airworthy in the world. That one in the pic will probably be the one of the two that the RAF maintains, rest are in private hands I think, not 100% sure though. I think there are two Spitfires that escort the Lancaster Bomber on these commemoration days, along with a couple of Hurricanes.

I remember reading a newspaper article a year or two back about some restoration team finding a WWII Spitfire shell plus cockpit and engine block in a marsh or someplace and completely restoring it, then selling it for about 5 million pounds or something.

A true British icon that plane, along with the beer and car.

HHF - Could well do, but have a long line of pics waiting for their go on the forum, present one made it because it's got both plane and beer in it plus the humour attached to it.

[Nereus]

I think that there is a few more than 5. Australia and New Zealand have at least that many between them.

I have just received a photo of one in a flypast last week in Oz. Take a look at the following, although not all of them may now be airworthy.

http://www.military-airshows.co.uk/spitaw.htm

[Spitfire]

Yes Nereus, thanks for the link, few more than five then, for sure. Looks like it was made by a few other companies than just 'Supermarine' as well.

Can't be cheap keeping them airworthy though, the old RR Merlin engine. The US P51 wasn't the icon it is now either or much good until they put that engine in it too, if I recall properly.

[Jimbob]

I'm a sucker for old birds... well warbirds.
I dragged my daughter to Hendon RAF museum last year when in London. Even she was impressed by the range of warbirds. Highly recommended at Zero cost.
The following was at Goodwood along the main straight in 1998, flown by the late Ray Hanna ex Red Arrows pilot

[VincentD]

They have one at the Royal Thai Airforce museum.
http://thaiaviation.com/gallery2/v/RTAF/

[sandman67]

Theres one (non working) on a plinth outside RAF Sealand in Wrexham where my Uncle used to work.

Truly a beautiful design....Brit thinking personified...form and function combined into perfection......raises a small tear in my eye.

Im off to listen to Elgar's Nimrod now....wheres my flying goggys?

[sandman67]

Oh....and Ive seen an old classic post war "racing car"....big red monster of a thing used for uphill trials, that used an old Merlin engine from a downed fighter. I think they keep it at Goodwood museum when its not racing.

That IS bloody scary to see started up...and deafening too. Goes like stink mind...

A visit to Goodwood is an excellent day out. Theres an old WW2 bomber they dug out of a lake there being restored by some of the original old guys. Had a lovely chat to one about the old bird. Think its an old Wellington.

And they have an old Concord...

[Name Taken]

I'm a sucker for old birds... well warbirds.
I dragged my daughter to Hendon RAF museum last year when in London. Even she was impressed by the range of warbirds. Highly recommended at Zero cost.
The following was at Goodwood along the main straight in 1998, flown by the late Ray Hanna ex Red Arrows pilot

goodwood fly pass.jpg