The go action spitfire flying experience is offered from sywell, northampton or headcorn, kent. Good morning guys, i was just looking through the duxford thread, and musing at the recently refurbished welsh 2 seat spitfire and it got me wondering how many are out there now. It is a tribute to him and all the team that upwards of 20plus spitfires are still flying today. However there were hundreds of aircraft types used between 1939 and 1945 and inevitably some were abject failures. But watching top gear the other night,clarkson and co turn up for a competition with there german rivals in three two seater spits. Dec 11, 2014 twoseater spitfires are incredibly rare. The spitfires were phased out and replaced by jets between 1951 and 1955. What price the privilege of flying a legend the supermarine. Apr 23, 2016 a little taste of what to expect from our fly alongside a spitfire experiences, launching may 2016.
Obviously a fab idea if youre an owner, and a golden era for non pilots to experience the thrill of flight in an icon. Again, its great, but not a spitfire, and if youre not living in the us, its rather far away. World war two fighter plane converted to two seater for paying passengers. I raced one for three years and often drove them as company cars.
Sale of raf spitfire buried beneath sea for 40 years raises. I will now be looking into my own site for the type509 spitfire site. After many struggles, the aircraft was eventually fully rebuilt and made a first post restoration flight from bae dunsfold on 230290 now wearing its 412 sqn colours as pv202 vzm. Perhaps we could have 2 new stars on the rating system. British plane enthusiast wins right to dig up buried. Supermarine did come up with the concept of a two seater training version of the plane, but none were ever ordered and only one was built. Currently based at bremgarten in germany but remains as gmxvi. She couldnt book the stick time but really enjoyed the flight.
Our fly in a spitfire experience is a thrilling caa approved ww2 flight experience of a lifetime in a rare twoseater t9 spitfire. There are only 35 or so flying spitfires and six twoseaters left. The spitfire appealed, he said, because it is the ultimate boys toy it is an iconic aircraft, it is the famous fighter of the second world war. The tr mk ix, with the serial number sm250, which was originally a singleseater but has been refitted to take a passenger, is one of only seven flying spitfires with two seats.
Seventy years after the battle of britain, authentic spitfires are still being produced on the isle of wight. A number of companies throughout the uk offer the chance to fly in a tr9 two seater version. Red bull air race pilot paul bonhomme flies a spitfire. We operate two, two seater spitfires, both of which are lovingly maintained by the aircraft restoration company on site and who both saw action in world war ii. Viii mt818, registered gaidn is a supermarine design conversion, rather than a postwar two seat foreign air force one.
Time passed and we moved on, alan advanced into airline flying, and eventually progressed to a senior captain position with cathay pacific flying the mighty boeing 747. Watch paul bonhomme flying a spitfire ahead of the 2014 red bull air race ascot in the video below. Jul 09, 2015 an raf spitfire buried beneath the sea for 40 years after it was shot down during the war sold for. Flying school offers trainee pilots the chance to fly restored spitfire. Book a spitfire flight experience biggin hill fly a. A highly experienced spitfire pilot will guide you through this unforgettable spitfire flying experience. Representatives from the battle of memorial trust joined vips at the unveiling of the new aero legends two seater spitfire nh341 which is expected to become another aero legends regular visitor this year to the skies above the stunning memorial. Airframe assemblies in sandown meets a niche market for spitfire enthusiasts who want to fly the legendary plane. The aircraft was restored as a two seater, but a modified rear canopy arrangement was incorporated to the rebuild.
A little taste of what to expect from our fly alongside a spitfire experiences, launching may 2016. May 02, 2017 i still had the spitfire dream, but spitfires especially two seaters are rare. Airworthy spitfires around the world flying today military. Aero legends has linked up with the battle of britain memorial trust for a number of new initiatives for those who pay a visit the memorial this year. Taking to the air despite heart problem heart matters. The company had successes in the schneider trophy for seaplanes, with three wins in a row of 1927, 1929 and 1931 the company was founded in 19 as pembertonbilling ltd on the river itchen close to woolston, southampton, on ground previously purchased by noel. It is photographed in the biggin hill heritage hangar last year. The academy is the worlds authority on spitfire flying.
With the recent relaxing of the caa ruling on flying passengers in aircraft such as the two seat spitfire, several aviation companies now offer the public this opportunity. All of our two seat spitfire flights are incredible experiences whether you. A restored rare twoseater spitfire sits in the boultbee flying academy hangar. The supermarine spitfire is a british singleseat fighter aircraft used by the royal air force along with many other allied countries throughout the second world war and afterwards into the 1950s as both a front line fighter and also in secondary roles many developing countries purchased spitfires as industrial countries phased out propellerpowered aircraft in favour of new jetengined. A twoseater spitfire seen here flanked by two other spits was used. Almost everyone would recognize the spitfire, p51 mustang, me109 or lancaster. Viii mt818, registered gaidn is a supermarine design conversion, rather than a postwar twoseat foreign air force one.
Twoseater mt818 was inside while mj627 was on the ramp outside there are only eight twoseat spitfires flying in the world. If youd like to see the spitfires for yourself, book a tour, book a sit in a spit, fly next to a. Heres one of the other two seat spitfires, with what i believe is known as the grace cockpit conversion. The fighter is still going strong and is operated throughout europe by the duxfordbased old flying machine company. There is a connection between spitfires and the area. Flying with a spitfire can i arrange for a flight in this. Otherwise, you need to join the raf and get posted to the battle of britain memorial flight which still has five spitfires, two hurricanes and one of the last two airborne lancasters in existence. Ki know carolyn grace owns and flys her late husband nicks one. Origins of the two seat spitfire on the into the blue blog. Oct 07, 2011 otherwise, you need to join the raf and get posted to the battle of britain memorial flight which still has five spitfires, two hurricanes and one of the last two airborne lancasters in existence. For reference two seater spitfires exist but not in the form used here. Sale of raf spitfire buried beneath sea for 40 years.
Two seater spitfire flight fly in a spitfire with into. There are countless books, dvds and websites about the great aircraft of world war two. Colletts air force, the supermarine spitfire has a special place in the annals of british aviation and the model of an overall. It is a tribute to him and all the team that upwards of. If you insist on taking control of a world war ii fighter, a company in florida, usa offers customisation flights on converted twoseater p51 mustangs. A 148 scale model of two seat spitfire gaidn was just one of the rare and rarely seen exhibits from the jet age reserve model collection on display at the then brockworth tithe barn arts and crafts centre over easter 2010. We walked slowly through the hangar, marveling at various spitfires and even a messerschmitt 109. Photo from the brian williams collection, text from robert j. After the german occupation, the royal danish air force acquired 38 hf mk. Here you have the opportunity of flying in a spitfire tr9 twoseater for 20 minutes over the english countryside. The supermarine spitfire is a british single seat fighter aircraft used by the royal air force along with many other allied countries throughout the second world war and afterwards into the 1950s as both a front line fighter and also in secondary roles many developing countries purchased spitfires as industrial countries phased out propellerpowered aircraft in favour of new jetengined. The supermarine spitfire is a british singleseat fighter aircraft that was used by the royal air force and other allied countries before, during, and after world war ii.
You can even fly in a 2 seater spitfire from raf biggin hill, the most famous battle of britain fighter station, and walk in the footsteps of those brave young men who fought from here in 19391945. Supermarine did come up with the design for a twoseater version of the spitfire, but none were ever ordered and only one was ever built. It is in fact the second of these iconic world war two spitfires which we have been privileged to offer for sale by auction within just seven months. So imagine what flying in one feels like you can book a spitfire flight with aerial collective, discover how it feels for real, and create a moment in time youll never forget. You might try caroline grace at duxford for a two seater spitfire in the uk. Its worth the experience while we are still able and mobile, and. One being i didnt want this book to finish and the other i didnt finish the book. Over 20,000 single seat spitfires were built with only a few dozen remaining airworthy today. This flight experience is the most affordable fly in a spitfire option in the uk book now for 2020 flights. This spitfire aircraft was built as a singleseat lflx fighter at the castle bromwich factory of vickers supermarine in 1944 as part of contract no. A friend of a friend recently hired a spitfire for a film shoot. Bonhams is delighted to be able to offer here this fully restored twoseater vickerssupermarine mk ix spitfire aircraft. Someone could compile the definitive list for the op relatively easily, however, the info is all readily available. Although more than 20,000 spitfires were built in britain during the second world war, only 2,042 later models were powered with griffon engines and just a handful are still flying today.
Oct 17, 2012 although more than 20,000 spitfires were built in britain during the second world war, only 2,042 later models were powered with griffon engines and just a handful are still flying today. Apr 18, 2009 the tr mk ix, with the serial number sm250, which was originally a single seater but has been refitted to take a passenger, is one of only seven flying spitfires with two seats. British plane enthusiast wins right to dig up buried spitfires in burma burmas government has signed an agreement with lincolnshire farmer and aviation enthusiast david cundall to allow the. The battle of britain the making of the movie spitfires. The spitfires are a watfordbased 3 piece from watford. Spitfire pt462 was originally part of a batch ordered on 17th july 1943 and built at castle bromwich as an h. We will report to the boultbee flying academy at the goodwood aerodrome in chichester, west sussex. Many variants of the spitfire were built, using several wing configurations, and it was produced in greater numbers than any other british aircraft. Flying the legendary spitfire featured in flight usa. However, following several unofficial conversions, supermarine converted a handful of mark ix spitfires into twoseaters, called tr9s after the second world war. Our helicopter pleasure flights takeoff and land from. Hi all yes my site on the two seat spitfires is down again i was advised a few weeks ago by my host that he was having take down his site as well as mine.
Boultbee flight academy was established in 2010 and was the worlds first spitfire training school and approved spitfire flight provider flying single seat and two seat spitfires. How many of the original irish ones are still flying. We offer spitfire experience flights to nonpilots and spitfire training to pilots. You can even fly in a 2seater spitfire from raf biggin hill, the most famous battle of britain fighter station, and walk in. Book a spitfire flight experience biggin hill fly a spitfire. The prince was due to have a seat in one of four two seater spitfires taking part in the flypast, but when one of the vintage aircraft developed mechanical problems, he decided to step aside to ensure the events special guests would still get to fly. Book a spitfire flight experience from the iconic biggin hill airport. There are still 55 spitfires in flying condition today. Moved from bremgarten, germany to biggin hill, uk in march 2012 where it will be based in the heritage hangar which also contains three other airworthy spitfires ta805, mk912, and x4650, along with another two spitfires which are being restored rw382, and td314. The acquisition of spitfire tr9 mj627 gbmsb at the heritage hangar has allowed the public to fly in this unique spitfire, which has a wartime history. Also attached is a picture of the first blenheim after its crash due to a rich mixture cut during a touch and go.
Spitfire flying experiences as a lover of spitfires, perhaps the ultimate experience would be to fly in one. The company has rebuilt over 40 airworthy planes from wreckage and genuine spitfire spare parts. Although only 26 were produced, seven still fly, although admittedly one is has been returned to single seat status, and two seat conversions have been added to the number. My son first built a running mark iv out of two cars and then converted it to tr6 engine and gearbox. Some 25 years ago, i even wrote a book about the spitfire long out of print. He discovered there are only three twoseater spitfires in the uk, and at the time you needed a pilot licence to even fly as a passenger. Spitfire tr 9 one of the notable features of the ranks of flying spitfires is the prominence of the trainer variants. Twoseat spitfires aircraft of world war ii ww2aircraft. I am in the academys twoday training course ic05 together with 3 other students. Ad astra the kissimmee outfit flies tf51 mustangs and they do sell pleasure flights. Experiences to tour spitfire restoration hangars and sit in the cockpit. A confluence of events has brought me to this door and i am going to go right through it. Ive always enjoyed worst of lists and had an interest in aviation, so i thought it time to combine the two.
Aug 26, 2016 with the recent relaxing of the caa ruling on flying passengers in aircraft such as the two seat spitfire, several aviation companies now offer the public this opportunity. The original irish two seater had the second cockpit raised up from the first in a large bubble canopy. The prince was due to have a seat in one of four twoseater spitfires taking part in the flypast, but when one of the vintage aircraft developed mechanical problems, he decided to step aside to ensure the events special guests would still get to fly. Flying in a dual control two seater spitfire tripadvisor. Flying with a spitfire can i arrange for a flight in. For a number of years, one was placed in a childrens playground. Spitfires article about spitfires by the free dictionary.
Bonhams is delighted to be able to offer here this fully restored two seater vickerssupermarine mk ix spitfire aircraft. Hi guys, i put some pictures of twoseat spitfires on another board recently, so i thought i might share them with you. The supermarine spitfire was designed by rj mitchell as a formidable attacking weapon in the war torn skies. Oct 09, 2019 hi guys, i put some pictures of two seat spitfires on another board recently, so i thought i might share them with you. Supermarine was a british aircraft manufacturer that produced the spitfire fighter plane, and a range of seaplanes and flying boats. Fly a spitfire from duxford spitfire flights book your. Two seater spitfire flight fly in a spitfire with into the blue.
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