Spitfire sighting

matei · Sep 19, 2006

I was in Brighton on Sunday, strolling along the beach with my wife, when I suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of Merlin engines.

I looked up, and saw three Spitfires, about 1000 feet up, flying parallel with the beach! I certainly didn't expect to see that!

About an hour later, I heard that same sound again, but this time there were two Spits escorting a large, 4-engined bomber. It looked like a Lancaster from where I was standing, but I couldn't be sure.

Amazing... I felt like I went back in time. Was there some kind of WWII event going on over the weekend, or did I really stumble upon some timewarp?

EDIT: Ok, I answered my own question: http://www.airshows.org.uk/2006/airshows/shoreham/preview.html

Oddly enough - the big plane I saw had two vertical control surfaces, it certainly didn't look like a B-17 to me!

Spitfire · Sep 19, 2006

Mustang story

Nice story!
Kind of reminded me of my first visit to Duxford.
Just an ordinary - but beautifull - day in late september eight, nine years ago.
There were not many visitors - just the usual schoolclasses runing around filling in forms and doing their questionairs.
The sun was setting - it began to be a bit chilly. When I came out from one of the hangars I saw it: A P-51 Mustang standing on the runway, with some guys working around it.
I walked a bit further, but returned when I heard the engine start up.
The pilot - the late Stephen Gray - passed me, nodded to me and climbed into the cockpit.
What then happened was out of this world.
He took it up and the he buzzed the airfield. Up again and buzzed one more time. And again and again....I just stood there with open mouth and tears in my eyes. That was the first time I saw the Mustang in flight. And what a show!!!
Felt like there was only me and that plane in the world.

After he had landed, he talked a bit with the crew and then walked back. When he passed me, he had a grin on his face going from ear to ear.
Guesse we both knew what the other was thinking.

Later I have enjoyed The Flying Legends Show several times - but that late afternoon in the setting sun I will never forget!

(Sorry if it got a bit long - I got carried away

)

mikepara · Sep 19, 2006

It was The BOB Memorial Flight.

Definately just witnessed The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, consisting of a Spitfire, a Lancaster bomber and a Hurricane.

matei · Sep 19, 2006

Aha - so there was a Hurricane as well!!!

I thought that one of the Spits looked a bit different!

The Wingnut · Sep 19, 2006

Lancaster for a BoB memorial flight? Seems rather inaccurate. The BoB ended in October 1940 and the first production Lancaster had its first flight at the very end of that month. Are there any Wellingtons still flying? That would be more appropriate.

No shame in operating a Lancaster of course, but if you're going to do a memorial flight, considerations of public education as to what was flying at the time should be made.

Brevet · Sep 20, 2006

Hi all, my first post here, but I've 'lurked for a while!

Just thought I'd add some stuff about the Memorial Flight - After World War II it became traditional for a Spitfire and Hurricane to lead the Victory Day flypast over London. Over time the RAF decided to commemorate the RAF's battle honours by maintaining a collection of flyable aircraft, which was formalised sometime in the 1950's and continues to this day. Therefore the aircraft on it's strength are no longer BoB specific, but are a homage to all aircrew from WWII. And what a sight (and sound) they make!

More can be found at www.deltaweb.co.uk/bbmf/home.html

Brevet

Hondo · Sep 20, 2006

Totally agree, when you see vintage era planes it does feel like "taken back into time" I've seen a few B-17's, B-24's on a cloudy dark mornings and you get that feeling standing there, it sends tingling thrill up your spine to know how it felt, like many here, born too late.

btw: Never knew that with regards to Lancaster, Thats out Wingnut, Thanks!

BigSleep · Sep 20, 2006

matei said:
Oddly enough - the big plane I saw had two vertical control surfaces, it certainly didn't look like a B-17 to me!

That could have been an American B-24.

maisie · Sep 20, 2006

I live in Biggin Hill, and i think that those planes were flying out of the airport here. I think it was the memorial flight, as they flew in and out quite alot over the past weekend. The spitfire was even practicing tricks on the saturday afternoon/eveningnot far from my house!

Caledonia · Sep 20, 2006

I live under a training flight zone and major flight path and near a major western incoming airport (for celebs and high ranking officials not wanting their butts shot off!). We get jet fighters a lot, and had a serious circling reconnaisance maneouvre recently. We get a few training planes which are so coolly like a spitfire, and a couple of those transporters every so often. So, never a vintage name, or not yet, but there's a resonance when they come over that makes me stand and stare, and feel like I'm somewhen else all at the same time.

Dixon Cannon · Sep 20, 2006

Oh yeh!!!

That's music to my ears!... there is nothing like the sound of a big reciprocating engine! It grabs my attention everytime!

I have on file somewhere a video clip (.mpg) of a British reporter giving a description of an upcoming airshow. He is mentioning the Battle of Britain and the Supermarine Spitfire. Just as he says the word, a Spit can be seen in the distance behind him, banking towards the camera. In a split second that beautiful bird is on top of him, below tree level and clipping grass! The reporter is completely surprised by the 'strafing run' and nearly looses is head - literally!

I'll search my vast database of trivial subjects and see if I can post this clip! It is worth it, believes me!!

Try this!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh2W4C00FZ0

Keep 'em flying!
Dixon Cannon

Dixon Cannon · Sep 21, 2006

John Dibbs

Here is a classic Spitfire pose taken by renowned air-to-air photographer John Dibbs.

This is the guy that has those beautiful covers on Flight Journal magazine!

-dixon cannon

Benny Holiday · Sep 21, 2006

That's a great pic Dixon

It even has the famous white cliffs in the background. What a majestic-looking machine!

Spitfire · Sep 21, 2006

The most beautifull sound...

...must be the sound of the merlin engine.
I even downloaded it from somwhere, and now I have a Spitfire strafing through the room, every time I get an e-mail.
Try it - you'll love it!

Windsock · Sep 21, 2006

Spitfire said:
...must be the sound of the merlin engine.
I even downloaded it from somwhere, and now I have a Spitfire strafing through the room, every time I get an e-mail.
Try it - you'll love it!

Would love a copy of that, do you have a link to it?

Dixon Cannon · Sep 21, 2006

Spitfire haircut!

Windsock said:
Would love a copy of that, do you have a link to it?

check out the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6tJgdquU_M&mode=related&search=

Windsock · Sep 21, 2006

Dixon Cannon said:
check out the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6tJgdquU_M&mode=related&search=

Fantastic, now I only need to find one sans expletives

Reminds me of a similar themed but not quite as dramatic flyover...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbqQr2EEtHA

Marv · Sep 21, 2006

Jesus that was low, nearly gave him a haircut lol

Tony in Tarzana · Sep 21, 2006

Was that Alain de Cadenet? If so, he's no stranger to horsepower. Notce he was smiling as he was swearing?

Brevet · Sep 21, 2006

That is a fantastic image Dixon, thanks for posting !

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