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General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: daddog on June 27, 2004, 10:52:40 AM

Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: daddog on June 27, 2004, 10:52:40 AM
I am over at a squadies house this weekend (Vaderrs) and his mother in-law was a Spitrfire mechanic during the Battle of Britian. She gratuated top of her class of 250 and was the "only" woman. Needless to say she has a ton of stories.

I know she would like to see a Spitfire, any Spitfire flying. She lives in Lincoln CA. She worked mostly on the Spit V from what I understand.

Thanks in advance. :)

------------------------
CO CM daddog
332nd Flying Mongrels (http://www.332nd.org/)
Roster (http://www.332nd.org/squadroster.htm)
Noses in the wind since 1997.
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Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Bodhi on June 27, 2004, 10:59:24 AM
Believe there is one at Chino, at Planes of Fame.  I know there is one in Seattle.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Jasta on June 27, 2004, 11:10:54 AM
Planes of Fame, definately. Take her there and im pretty sure she could see one fly.

Also, theres another place in florida called "Wonder of Flight" or something. I dont know the name exactly but its run by a guy named Kermit Weeks. Hes got all-flying warbirds, even a Grumman F3F Barrel. I saw it in Warbirds International.

Anyone know the name?
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: brady on June 27, 2004, 11:41:15 AM
I saw one In Sidney(BC) Flying a few years ago when I got of the Fery from Anacodes, was their in a small air show they had going, it may well of been the one mentioned from Seatle. Was prety funny realy I had just arived and had no idea their was an airshow let alone a small airport nearby, was walking down the streat toward the watterfront looking for a place for lunch while on Holiday, and heard the roar and looked up....I grabed my Girl friends arm and ran  for the truck...she was all wtf!...whear are we going..I said to find the airport!, that Spits landing!...Was prety cool their was a small airshow with a bunch of flying war birds doing a circute flyby thing, and they made low leval passes over the runway and pulled up dramaticaly at the end and came around again, we snuck out into the grass off the end of the strip and were right under them as they did so, was the best part of the trip:)

 O...Thier is a Spit in the Evergreen Avation Museum as well, nice one to, though I dont beelave they fly it.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: vaderr on June 27, 2004, 12:27:50 PM
There is a company in Salinas, Ca. called Pacific Air Motive that has restored many of the war birds for Gen. (Ret.) Kermit in Florida. They have also built P51D's, C's , B's and even have a very rare A model that they will be restoring shortly. Supposedly he has one of the largest private collections of warbirds in the world, even bigger than the Confederate Airforce. He has purchased some property just South of Salinas to build a warbirds memorial airport complete with hotel and other attractions. Hope it happens in my lifetime.
vaderr
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Guppy35 on June 27, 2004, 01:08:04 PM
Three at Chino I believe.  A Clipped wing Spit IX in 443 Squadron markings, a modified PR19 with clipped wings and a contra-rotating prop and a Spitfire XIV in the markings of Ginger Lacey's 17 Squadron Spit 14, although that one may have already moved on to Texas.

There is a flyable Spit VIII in Texas as  well as a recently flying Spit IX and the CAF just aquired a low back Spit XIV.

Kermit Weeks has a low back Spit XVI and a Spit IX in Florida.  There is a well known Spit IX in Virginia I believe and a low back Spit XVI and a recently arrived Spit IX in Canada too.


The Evergreen Spit is an XVI that is flyable.  Paul Allen has a flying Spit Vc in Washington and there are two other potential flyers in Washington too I believe, a two seat Spit T8 and a two seat Spit T9

Those are all flyable btw.  

Dan/Slack
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: airbumba on June 27, 2004, 01:20:27 PM
Quote
Originally posted by brady
I saw one In Sidney(BC) Flying a few years ago when I got of the Fery from Anacodes, was their in a small air show they had going, it may well of been the one mentioned from Seatle. Was prety funny realy I had just arived and had no idea their was an airshow let alone a small airport nearby, was walking down the streat toward the watterfront looking for a place for lunch while on Holiday, and heard the roar and looked up....I grabed my Girl friends arm and ran  for the truck...she was all wtf!...whear are we going..I said to find the airport!, that Spits landing!...Was prety cool their was a small airshow with a bunch of flying war birds doing a circute flyby thing, and they made low leval passes over the runway and pulled up dramaticaly at the end and came around again, we snuck out into the grass off the end of the strip and were right under them as they did so, was the best part of the trip:)

 O...Thier is a Spit in the Evergreen Avation Museum as well, nice one to, though I dont beelave they fly it.


Hehe, great story . I'd love to stumble upon a flyin spit, hope i'd remember to grab my girlfiend...:confused:
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: brady on June 27, 2004, 01:42:43 PM
"hope i'd remember to grab my girlfiend"

 Girlfriend, Bad typing/spelling:)
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: loser on June 27, 2004, 01:43:17 PM
I believe the spitfire at Cavenaugh Flight Museum (Addisson TX) is still airworthy. Least it was 2 years ago.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Xargos on June 27, 2004, 01:45:05 PM
I don't think it was spelled wrong.  Seems to me every girl I ever dated ended up being a fiend.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: airbumba on June 27, 2004, 01:51:33 PM
Quote
Originally posted by brady
"hope i'd remember to grab my girlfiend"

 Girlfriend, Bad typing/spelling:)



lol. or poor relationship skills, hehe.
Title: Spits and more
Post by: Silat on June 27, 2004, 02:00:29 PM
Ive never seen such quality.

http://www.flyingheritage.com/TemplateTopImages.aspx?contentId=23
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Tilt on June 27, 2004, 08:03:57 PM
Most I ever saw was 16 spits ina fly past for Duxford 2001 BoB celebrations.

Probably be 4 or 5 this year plus the usual P51's et al

http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00d004
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Tails on June 27, 2004, 08:16:19 PM
The Florida place is 'Fantasy of Flight', about an hour or so outside Tampa on I-4. Awesome planes, nice full motion warbird comat simulators, and the best burger joint I've ever seen, all on the same property :D
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: palef on June 27, 2004, 08:19:16 PM
Quote
Originally posted by brady
"hope i'd remember to grab my girlfiend"

 Girlfriend, Bad typing/spelling:)


I believe "Girlfiend" is correct once you have married your "Girlfriend".
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: gunnss on June 27, 2004, 08:46:44 PM
Quote
Originally posted by brady
"hope i'd remember to grab my girlfiend"

 Girlfriend, Bad typing/spelling:)


As I rember dating..... Fiend may be more correct

Gunns
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: airbumba on June 27, 2004, 08:59:04 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Tilt
Most I ever saw was 16 spits ina fly past for Duxford 2001 BoB celebrations.

Probably be 4 or 5 this year plus the usual P51's et al

http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00d004


Tilt, I think if I seen 16 spits fly past me at the same time, I'd drop dead with joy.

I have great large format pic (22meg ) of the only other Lanc flying besides the Brit one, if anyone  want's it. It's based here in  Hamilton Ontario Ca

.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: airbumba on June 27, 2004, 09:04:01 PM
Quote
Originally posted by brady
"hope i'd remember to grab my girlfiend"

 Girlfriend, Bad typing/spelling:)


Even tho it's a typo, i'm leaving as is, cause im not afraid of my girlfriend, or her threats of reduced sex......

...that and the fact she will never see this post.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: brady on June 27, 2004, 10:19:26 PM
"...that and the fact she will never see this post."

 I made that mistake, found one of mine reading the forums one day when I came home early from work unanounced:)
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: beet1e on June 28, 2004, 04:37:58 AM
Vadders - did your M-I-L know Monique Agazarian - Spitfire ferry pilot?
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: HavocTM on June 28, 2004, 09:38:57 AM
Rudy Frasca has a flying MkXVIII here in Champaign, IL.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: peregrin on June 28, 2004, 10:23:34 AM
LoneStar Flight Museum in Galveston has one.  Flies at their annual airshow.  LSFM isa great muesum, the majority of their aircraft are flight worthy.

http://www.lsfm.org/aircraft/spitfire.htm

--Peregrine.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: mars01 on June 28, 2004, 10:56:03 AM
There's one for sale in either Barn Stormers or Trade a Plane.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Edbert on June 28, 2004, 11:26:40 AM
Quote
Originally posted by peregrin
LoneStar Flight Museum in Galveston has one.  Flies at their annual airshow.  LSFM isa great muesum, the majority of their aircraft are flight worthy.
http://www.lsfm.org/aircraft/spitfire.htm

Hitech and Pyro took the con attendees there in 1997, they've also got the entire "cat" collection (F3F, F4F, F5F, F7F, F8F) on display. Some of the con contest winners got to ride in LSFM's B17 that year...:cool:
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Grimm on June 28, 2004, 12:23:20 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Bodhi
Believe there is one at Chino, at Planes of Fame.  I know there is one in Seattle.


The Seattle Spit I believe is on Loan to the EAA for 2 years,  in Trade they get to display the Oscar of the EAAs.    Its a deal to bring these planes to more people.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Grimm on June 28, 2004, 12:34:24 PM
Quote
Originally posted by vaderr
even bigger than the Confederate Airforce.


Just a Heads up for everyone,  the Confederate Air Force no longer exists,  its now the Commemorative Air Force   They had a name change a few years ago.

of course in my book CAF will always stand for Cactus Air Force ;)
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Furball on June 28, 2004, 01:11:12 PM
Quote
Originally posted by brady
"...that and the fact she will never see this post."

 I made that mistake, found one of mine reading the forums one day when I came home early from work unanounced:)


thats ok, she probubley couldnit understoond your speelwring anywee ;) :D

oh... and NOTHING in aviation compares to seeing a spitfire do an airshow routine, without music of course, the spitfire's own music is beautiful enough.
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: FUNKED1 on June 28, 2004, 04:35:32 PM
Multiple Spits flying at Chino airshow every year.  Check the Planes of Fame monthly events too.

[edit]
Check out the Sept. 4th event.
http://www.planesoffame.org/Calendar_of_events.htm
Not sure if it will be Spits, ask on their message board to make sure.
[/edit]
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: Paul33 on June 28, 2004, 04:58:01 PM
Make your own spitfire!

http://www.spitfireaircraftco.com/home.html

lol:D
Title: believe it or not.....
Post by: mechanic on June 28, 2004, 05:12:29 PM
....there was a spitfire doing loops over my house two days ago!

i live in high wycombe 30miles west of london. there is HQ Bomber command two miles down the road from where i live although they only have capabilities for helicopters on the base.

there are regular (maybe twice a year) fly bys from spitfires, hurris and the odd P51!

there is a battle of britain display formation of one spit5 one hurri and a lancaster that go to air shows every year and they come past sometimes.

as to exact locations and air bases, im sorry, but im not sure, but come to blighty and you will be able to find one easy! :)

...long way to come though...

batfink
Title: Where are the actual flying Spitfires?
Post by: ramzey on June 28, 2004, 10:02:03 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Paul33
Make your own spitfire!

http://www.spitfireaircraftco.com/home.html

lol:D


intersting!!
who will borrow me 332K$?

Funked how about visiting this factory? its only 100miles