"Red Leader to Mike French...Tally-ho Spitfires over Duxford!"

PADDY · 10-05-2004, 07:10 AM

Hi there Mike, a few shots of the Spits over Duxford at the Flying Legends Show 2004. They had 11 Spitfires up at one time! You missed a 'good' one! another time eh.

PADDY · 10-05-2004, 07:15 AM

These are most likely the 1936 repro boots made by AeroLeather, that I was telling you about Mike. But I have seen originals every so often on Ebay.

MikeyB17 · 10-05-2004, 09:21 AM

Yes Paddy, when I went last year the big 'Balbo' flypast at the end was one of the highpoiints for me. They had a big group of Spits as well, 9 I think, awesome sound although the flying was a bit ill-disciplined, I thought. Preferred the Breitling fighters (P-40, P-51, Corsair and Spit, whose flying was spot-on. First time I heard the famous 'whistling death' scream from the Corsair's air intakes too!) Think they've disbanded now. Hmmm, I gotta go again....

PADDY · 10-05-2004, 12:59 PM

Mmmmm, Cornwall does get fresh this time of year! definitely time to give the shearlings and airing me thinks!! Cool avatar my friend! :-)

Kilgour Trout · 10-05-2004, 01:55 PM

Unbelievable...If that's what I think it is? Is that a Mosquito Paddy? I've known of a few projects on the go but I didn't think anyone had a Mosquito up and running. Wow!! My great uncle used to serve as a navagator on one. He said these Plywood wonders were incredibley fast and durable. I've had models of them (when a kid) but to see one fly Wow.....

Thanks Paddy. The last time I saw that many Spits was while living in the UK back in the 80's.

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

MDFrench · 10-05-2004, 09:37 PM

THANK YOU PADDY!!! YOU MADE MY DAY!

I AM SO EXCITED AND JEALOUS AT THE SAME TIME! I WANNA GO HOME TO WEYBRIDGE WHERE I GREW UP!

Mike

MikeyB17 · 10-06-2004, 05:19 AM

Sorry to disappoint you boys, but I think you'll find the twin-engine aircraft in the pic is a Grumman Tigercat, a regular at Duxford airshows. The one in the background of the reenactors shot is, I think, a P-47. As far as I'm aware there still isn't a Mossie flying in the UK, although I thought there was an airworthy one in Florida somewhere...? I was lucky enough to see one in the air at RAF St.Mawgan several years ago-sadly that one later crashed. Duxford are restoring a Beaufighter to flying condition-I can't wait to see that.

MikeyB17 · 10-06-2004, 05:30 AM

I AM SO EXCITED AND JEALOUS AT THE SAME TIME! I WANNA GO HOME TO WEYBRIDGE WHERE I GREW UP!

Mike [/b][/quote]

Mike,
Is that Weybridge, Surrey? Home of Brooklands, one of my favourite places. My wife comes from Guildford, and every time we go up there I make a pilgrimage to Brooklands. Not only is there all the aviation history, like Wellington R for Robert, salvaged from Loch Ness and restored, and Barnes Wallis' atmosphere test chamber (awesome), but there's the motoring history as well, with the museum (including the aero-engined Napier-Railton Special, perpetual holder of the Brooklands lap record-Oh what a gorgeous thing!). I could stand on that famous banking all day-you can almost hear the Bentleys!

MikeyB17 · 10-06-2004, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PADDY
Mmmmm, Cornwall does get fresh this time of year! definitely time to give the shearlings and airing me thinks!! Cool avatar my friend! :-)

Thanks Paddy!
Actually this one is only intended to be temporary-like I said, I'm planning a little drive up to RAF Davidstow Moor to get another shot, hopefully with the control tower in the background. It's sunny here at the moment, but a bit breezy and noticeably cooler, so I've had the B-3 out of the box. Nearly died of heat exhaustion! It ended up on the back seat of the car! Still only A-2 weather down this way! Was hoping to take the B-3 to Normandy at the weekend, but to be realistic, it'll probably be the A-2 again, or perhaps the G-1.

MDFrench · 10-06-2004, 06:59 AM

Yep - That's Weybridge, Surrey.

God I miss that place! My family is of English heritage and I always felt out of place in the U.S. Then, we moved to England in my adolescence, and I found a home there. For once, I wasn't pale by comparison, my manners were appreciated, my reserved nature respected, and my love of history more than indulged.

Incidentally, Weybridge has another interesting distinction in aviation history. 609 Squadron out of Warmwell was over Weybridge when they engaged the first enemey fighters and bombers on Sept 15th, 1940 - Battle of Britain day at around 11:50 AM.

What makes it doubly special for me is that 609 Squadron was home to three American volunteers - Red Tobin, Andy Mamedoff, and Shorty Keough, who all flew on Sept 15.

But I ramble...

10-05-2004, 09:21 AM	#3
MikeyB17 One of the Regulars Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 190	Yes Paddy, when I went last year the big 'Balbo' flypast at the end was one of the highpoiints for me. They had a big group of Spits as well, 9 I think, awesome sound although the flying was a bit ill-disciplined, I thought. Preferred the Breitling fighters (P-40, P-51, Corsair and Spit, whose flying was spot-on. First time I heard the famous 'whistling death' scream from the Corsair's air intakes too!) Think they've disbanded now. Hmmm, I gotta go again.... __________________ 'Don't hit me with those negative waves!' 'That's some bad hat, Harry.'

10-05-2004, 12:59 PM	#4
PADDY Bartender Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: COMMAND CNTR TFL EUROPEAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS Posts: 4,977	Mikey, love your Avatar..! Mmmmm, Cornwall does get fresh this time of year! definitely time to give the shearlings and airing me thinks!! Cool avatar my friend! :-) __________________ *"I'm talking satin, fire and ice; Fred Astaire in a glass; redemption and absolution. I'm talking a martini"*

10-05-2004, 01:55 PM	#5
Kilgour Trout One of the Regulars Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, ON Posts: 123	Is that a Mosquito Paddy? Unbelievable...If that's what I think it is? Is that a Mosquito Paddy? I've known of a few projects on the go but I didn't think anyone had a Mosquito up and running. Wow!! My great uncle used to serve as a navagator on one. He said these Plywood wonders were incredibley fast and durable. I've had models of them (when a kid) but to see one fly Wow..... Thanks Paddy. The last time I saw that many Spits was while living in the UK back in the 80's. Warm Regards Kilgour Trout __________________ "Remember..where ever you go..there you are!".....Buckaroo Bonzai and his adventures across the eighth dimension.

10-06-2004, 05:19 AM	#7
MikeyB17 One of the Regulars Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 190	Sorry to disappoint you boys, but I think you'll find the twin-engine aircraft in the pic is a Grumman Tigercat, a regular at Duxford airshows. The one in the background of the reenactors shot is, I think, a P-47. As far as I'm aware there still isn't a Mossie flying in the UK, although I thought there was an airworthy one in Florida somewhere...? I was lucky enough to see one in the air at RAF St.Mawgan several years ago-sadly that one later crashed. Duxford are restoring a Beaufighter to flying condition-I can't wait to see that. __________________ 'Don't hit me with those negative waves!' 'That's some bad hat, Harry.'

10-06-2004, 05:30 AM	#8
MikeyB17 One of the Regulars Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 190	I AM SO EXCITED AND JEALOUS AT THE SAME TIME! I WANNA GO HOME TO WEYBRIDGE WHERE I GREW UP! Mike [/b][/quote] Mike, Is that Weybridge, Surrey? Home of Brooklands, one of my favourite places. My wife comes from Guildford, and every time we go up there I make a pilgrimage to Brooklands. Not only is there all the aviation history, like Wellington R for Robert, salvaged from Loch Ness and restored, and Barnes Wallis' atmosphere test chamber (awesome), but there's the motoring history as well, with the museum (including the aero-engined Napier-Railton Special, perpetual holder of the Brooklands lap record-Oh what a gorgeous thing!). I could stand on that famous banking all day-you can almost hear the Bentleys! __________________ 'Don't hit me with those negative waves!' 'That's some bad hat, Harry.'

10-05-2004, 09:37 PM	#6
MDFrench "A" List Customer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Nashville, London, Atlanta, Syracuse, Los Angeles, Atlanta Posts: 429	THANK YOU PADDY!!! YOU MADE MY DAY! I AM SO EXCITED AND JEALOUS AT THE SAME TIME! I WANNA GO HOME TO WEYBRIDGE WHERE I GREW UP! Mike

10-06-2004, 06:59 AM	#10
MDFrench "A" List Customer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Nashville, London, Atlanta, Syracuse, Los Angeles, Atlanta Posts: 429	Yep - That's Weybridge, Surrey. God I miss that place! My family is of English heritage and I always felt out of place in the U.S. Then, we moved to England in my adolescence, and I found a home there. For once, I wasn't pale by comparison, my manners were appreciated, my reserved nature respected, and my love of history more than indulged. Incidentally, Weybridge has another interesting distinction in aviation history. 609 Squadron out of Warmwell was over Weybridge when they engaged the first enemey fighters and bombers on Sept 15th, 1940 - Battle of Britain day at around 11:50 AM. What makes it doubly special for me is that 609 Squadron was home to three American volunteers - Red Tobin, Andy Mamedoff, and Shorty Keough, who all flew on Sept 15. But I ramble...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode