Spitfire 75 years old

[Garry Russell]

One birthday we're almost missing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-12655848

[DaveB]

Nah.. it was reported widely on the news here on the mainland yesterday. Lots of footage of Carolyn Grace and her 2-seater. It's another excuse for Duxford to squeeze a few more bob out of visitors this year

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

Indeed Dave.


I meant the various forums I frequent had not mentioned it

[DaveB]

Yes.. including this one until now

My old mum was 81 yesterday and that wasn't reported in the news. Perhaps if she'd have been a Spitfire pilot (at 6!) things would have been different

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

My Mu's 81 too...she never flew Spitfires either

Seems though, the lead is Caroline Grace as if there was not a little more to the story than that

[dodger]

I,m not knocking the Spit but they tend to forget the old Hurricane, which did a lot in the Battle of Britain,

I have always felt sorry R J Mitchell the designer of the Spitfire as he died in 1937 and never saw what a great aircraft it turned out to be.

Cheers,

Roger.

[DaveB]

Yes.. ironic too that in one of the reports yesterday, the end scene was a Hurricane silhouetted against a darkening sky. I don't think Joe Photo on the end of the camera realised it was a Spitfire he should have had the camera on

ATB
DaveB

[fighterpilot]

Was down at Southampton Airport this morning. When I've sorted through my pics I might put some up on here.

Richard

[DaveB]

Cheers Richard

ATB
DaveB

[fighterpilot]

Here you go. What a great sight and sound, glad I braved the bitter weather!

Shortly before start


Puff of smoke as that magnificent engine bursts into life.


Just getting airborne.


Away goes the gear.


At touchdown after the flight, She did a lovely run and break but I didn't have the camera switched on!


Taxying back in.


Carolyn Grace cliimbing from the cockpit.


And again.


Hope you like them, I took many more but the flying shots weren't up to much.

Richard