Simviation Forum - Spitfire up-close and personal

Oct 22^nd, 2003 at 7:30am

Omag 2.0 Offline
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Just a quick bit of information, cause i know there are a lot of spitfire lovers around here!

My family saw them in action during WWII. A Canadian pilot actualy crashed near the farm of my grandparents! Our village has named a street after the brave, but unfortunate man.

Just to remind you that its fun goofing around in a sim, but in reality its an other story!

I can only say respect to those pilots.

I'll try to post some info on the guy.

&&&&&&Check my aviation-photo's at www.airliners.be&&&&Or go straight to Omag's Album

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Reply #1 - Oct 22^nd, 2003 at 9:46am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Granted that - in general - people today are "larger" than the average person of the '40s, but you only have to stand next to one of the fighters - or in the cockpit of a bomber/etc., to be impressed ... to be cooped up in those 'offices'.

My first "close up" of a bomber was a Lancaster cockpit display at the Imperial War Museum (insert reverent genuflextion here). My impression was of how small a space they had to work.

I've been fortunate to see Spitfires, Mustangs up close, and the impression remains the same.

By comparison, a T-6/SNJ/Harvard is positively roomy.

My awe and respect goes to those aviators of yesterday - and today - that risk their lives on a daily basis - whether preparing to fight an enemy, or let's not forget, fighting fires, going out on SAR ....

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #2 - Oct 23^rd, 2003 at 7:39pm

ozzy72 Offline
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Having been recently spotted trying to perform unnatural acts with both the MkI and V at RAF Hendon I have to agree with Felix, you don't so much get into a Spit as wear it!!!!
Nevertheless she is one hot babe Grin

Ozzy

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #3 - Oct 25^th, 2003 at 2:30am

Stratobat Offline
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I've been fortunate to see Spitfires, Mustangs up close, and the impression remains the same.

I was @ an airshow when a Spitfire went through a metal re-enforced concrete wall. Luckily the Pilot wasn't seriously injured!

The aircraft was a complete write off though Cry

The first bomber I ever stepped into was an Avro Shackleton Mk.III. Despite what you may think, this aircraft is roomy. I guess it would have to be in order for for the crew to go on patrols that could last as long as 14.5 hours!

Regards,
Stratobat

&&&&'If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense'

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Reply #4 - Dec 15^th, 2003 at 5:19am

Henk Hugo Offline
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The Shack is a VERY large aircraft. Also fitted with ashtrays for those 23 to 25 hour long mission! Grin

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Reply #5 - Dec 15^th, 2003 at 8:52am

Henk Hugo Offline
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Compair the size of the crew to the aircraft Shocked

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Reply #6 - Dec 15^th, 2003 at 1:23pm

Flying Trucker Ex Member

Your absolutely right....when you sit in a spit...you strap it on.

Going back to the Shackleton which served here as well...I am trying to remember if that was a reworked Avro Lancaster airframe?

Great pictures of a great aircraft.

Thanks....Cheers.....Doug

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Reply #7 - Dec 15^th, 2003 at 1:28pm

Henk Hugo Offline
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In 1946 the Royal Air Force realized that not one of the landplanes then in use for long range maritime reconnaissance, were actually designed for the role. The best aircraft for these flights were the Consolidated Liberator, but had to be returned to the US under the lend lease scheme. The only British aircraft that could attempt to fly these missions were versions of the Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster. These aircraft simply had not enough volume to carry the equipment needed for maritime reconnaissance.

In 1946 a production order was placed with Avro for a new model, the Shackleton, combining a wider fuselage with the older Avro Lincoln's wings and undercarriage. Develop time was quite long, finally in 1949 the prototype, known as the Avro 696 Shackleton GR-1, made its first flight. This aircraft with its distinctive WWII bomber look had four Griffon engines turning contra-rotating propellers and a short, fat fuselage with chin-mounted radar and dorsal turret. To ensure maximum reliability over open water, the engines were designed to operate at constant speed, driving the massive six blade contra-rotating propellers. The pilot feathered the props to regulate airspeed. Seven RAF squadrons were equipped with the Mk 1 and Mk 1A.

You can read more on my site Wink

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Reply #8 - Dec 18^th, 2003 at 8:06pm