Subdeacon Joe Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 Facebook Find: It's sort of traditional now to confirm the delightfully inevitable from day one. Yes, we'll have Spitfires and yes, the most famous of them all will be amongst them. MH434 has been one of our first bookings for every Airshow we've ever held. We're now the aircraft's most loyal customer after the IWM at Duxford and Goodwood's legendary Revival. MH434 is the most famous Spitfire because she's starred in more movies than most movie stars. Think of a movie with a Spitfire, it's probably got MH434 in it. She's the only Spitfire still flying never to have been fully restored. She's also been flown by a roster of the greatest pilots in history, arguably most notably amongst them the late, truly great, Ray Hanna. Ray's daughter, Sarah, now owns and operates 434, the ultimate Spitfire. MH434 is in period correct RAF markings, but we're also able to welcome back another example of Supermarine's ultimate creation and arguably one of the finest Anglo American tributes in the sky; George Haye's Suffolk Spitfire, accurately wearing American markings. This actually happened; the USAAF did indeed operate Spitfires too. George's aircraft is the only one commemorating this unique piece of historic co-operation between American and England. Fitting, really for an airfield built in England for American Bombers. So that's two Spitfires and arguably two of the greatest examples of the greatest aircraft there has likely ever been. There will be more.... 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 In the late 1940's, the RCAF was retaining their Mustangs as well as converting to jets. Flyable Spits were turned over to Crown Assets for disposal and were selling for $50.00. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 I will say there is simply no other aircraft as elegant as the Merlin powered Spitfires. The changes needed for the Griffon engines made them less elegant and more burly. If someone says close your eyes and picture an airplane, I picture a Spitfire. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 7 minutes ago, DocWard said: If someone says close your eyes and picture an airplane, I picture a Spitfire. …and a P-38 or deHaviland Mosquito! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 Form & function P51 and ME 109 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 10 minutes ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said: …and a P-38 or deHaviland Mosquito! The P-38 is far and away my favorite aircraft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 I always liked the Westland Whirlwind 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 (edited) The question of aesthetics of weapons is interesting, and familiar enough to those of us who like 'traditional' firearms. The Spitfire is truly iconic, but as much of that is due to its design appeal as to its effectiveness. The Hawker Hurricane played much the same role as a single-engine fighter, and there is endless debate as to its role in air combat vis a vis the Spitfire. All taken with all, the two planes seemed basically equal overall as the war progressed. The Hurricane probably actually had a bit of an edge over the Spitfire in the Battle of Britain. But the Hurricane doesn't get the same 'popular' glory. When you look at Spit documentaries, with original footage, you'll notice that quite a bit of the footage is in fact that of Hurricanes. Except to the practiced eye, they don't look much different in profile, where the Spitfire elliptical wing is not evident. It takes a second to see the difference-- the cockpit difference, the subtly more 'humped' Hurricane, etc. Reminds me of the Jug vs the Mustang, though those two can't be confused in appearance. The Spitfire and the P-51 always stand out in the imagination somehow. Edited October 20 by Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 The Spitfire must win the prize for the most beautiful fighter ever. JHC T 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 12 hours ago, DocWard said: The P-38 is far and away my favorite aircraft. That was my dad's favorite as well. He spent some time in the South Pacific as a grunt invading islands. When the Japanese decided to attack them by air it was usually the Lightnings they sent in to shoo off the skeeters. JHC 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted October 21 Author Share Posted October 21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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