- This topic has 18 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by m1kea.
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13 Spitifres taking to the sky this afternoon (weather allowing)
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wwaswasFull MemberPosted 8 years ago
If you’re up north…
There will probably never be this many Spitfires in the skies over Britain again.
In a flight to commemorate the beginning of the German air offensive we know as the Battle of Britain, 13 of the iconic fighter aircraft are set to stage a massed flypast – which will split into several smaller groups to ensure that the widest range of people will get to see – and hear – the single most important fighter aircraft of the Second World War one last time.
Although the greater part of the battle was concentrated over Kent and the South Coast, the best place to see the Spitfires will actually be in Hull.
The vintage aircraft, which are from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and private Spitfire owners, will be flying from Humberside Airport this afternoon.
The public will be able to view the Spitfires from the Humber Bridge at 4.03pm on their way up to Bridlington, where they are expected to fly over at 4.44pm.
The aircraft will then return over Hull at 4.51pm.
bikebouyFree MemberPosted 8 years agoWell, I have to say looking out the office window, that if if they come south anytime soon they will be greeted by an Ark, some sheep, some cows and other assorted animals all jostling up a ramp or two.
😐
jambalayaFree MemberPosted 8 years agoWhat a magnificent site and sound that will be !
Indeed bikebouy we where driving to Gatwick earlier, a boat may have been a more suitable means of transport
nbtFull MemberPosted 8 years agothanks, mum and Dad are over that way at the moment so just let them know, they might catch it. Shame I can’t
stewartcFree MemberPosted 8 years agothe single most important fighter aircraft of the Second World War
There are some Mustangs also involved?
wwaswasFull MemberPosted 8 years agoyes, and Hurricanes and probably at a point where they bought time for the Mustangs to become relevant to the proceedings.
midlifecrashesFull MemberPosted 8 years agoJust seen four overfly Doncaster, heading south towards Finningley, 4.45pm. Ta for the heads up, if I hadn’t known they were flying I wouldn’t have investigated the noise.
CountZeroFull MemberPosted 8 years agothe single most important fighter aircraft of the Second World War one last time.
Often trotted out, but rather dubious claim, this. The Hurricane was a better all-round weapons platform, and could take more punishment due to its structure. The Spit was more fragile, and couldn’t carry as wide a range of weapons.
However the Spit was faster and a better air-superiority fighter.
And the Mustang was even better, with a far greater range allowing it to be used for bomber support.
So really, a flight involving the maximum available number of all three would be even more spectacular.iain1775Free MemberPosted 8 years agoThe four doing the East Midlands loop must have used the three transmission training towers in our yard at work as a landmark to signal their turning towards the city centre, had a great view of them looping round from the top of our fire escape
On a different note I replied to the local papers Facebook post giving them details of the flying route off the RAF’s twitter feed, they subsequently thanked me, updated their original story to include the info and now appear to have blocked me from making any further comments on their FB page, odd behaviour censoring someone for trying to be helpful!
slowjoFree MemberPosted 8 years agoMuch as I love the sound and look of Spits, I have a very soft spot for the Mosquito…just phenomenal.
jambalayaFree MemberPosted 8 years agoUp until the Battle of Britain the German kit (tanks, guns, planes) was better than anything we had. The Spitfire changed that and it was a huge physiological boost as well as a tactical one. The Hurricane was a superb workhorse and responsible for many more kills but the Spitfire was something very special.
@slowjo yes me too re the Mosquito
theotherjonvFull MemberPosted 8 years agoAnother big flying day today from Biggin Hill – anyone know where the flight plans are? If they are anywhere near i’d love to see the 8 flying over Sussex and Surrey, but the only description I can find is
The day will be marked with three flight formations:
Grice flight: Eight aircraft will head south and west to fly over Surrey and West Sussex to the Solent, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and returning via Dunsfold
Mortimer flight: Eight aircraft will head over Eynsford, Chelsfield, Detling, Farningham, Downe and RAF Kenley
Hamlyn flight: Eight aircraft will fly over Sevenoaks, Yalding, Ashford, the former RAF Hawkinge with a special salute over the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-Le-Ferne on the white cliffs of Dover
(although why i don’t know. A single Spitfire and a Hurricane at armed forces days blew up quite a lot of dust in my eyes)
sobrietyFree MemberPosted 8 years agothe single most important fighter aircraft of the Second World War one last time.
How about ‘the single most important aircraft engine of the Second World War’
Spitfire – RR Merlin
Hurricane – RR Merlin
Mosquito – RR Merlin
Lancaster – RR Merlin
Mustang – RR Merlin (ok so it was badged as an Allison, but it was the same engine, and the early pre-Merlin Mustangs were pants in comparison)NigE5Free MemberPosted 8 years agoGrice Flight will be taking the route between Biggin Hill and the Isle of Wight. Expected departure is 13.00 local arriving over Ryde Isle of Wight at approximately 13.27 and then returning along the same route.
The towns & villages listed below are within 1.5 km of the intended route.
Leg 1 – 13.00 to 13.07 (13.31 to 13.38)
Chelsham
Warlingham
Caterham
Chaldon
Buckland
Betchworth
Brockham
Dorking
Friday Street
Abinger Common
Sutton Abinger
Holmbury St Mary
PeaslakeLeg 2 – 13.07 to 13.11 (13.27 to 13.31)
Cranleigh
Dunsfold Aerodrome
The Green
Alford Crossways
NorthchapelLeg 3 – 13.11 to 13.19 (13.19 to 13.27)
Lurgashall
Lickford Up
Easebourne
Midhurst
Woolbedding
Stedham
Minsted
Ingrams Green
Didling
Treyford
North Marden
Hooksway
East Marden
Marden
Compton
West Marden
Forest Side
Rowlands Castle
Havant
Drayton
Portsmouth
Gosport
Alverstoke
RydehamishthecatFree MemberPosted 8 years agoThe early Mustang did use the Allison engine and wasn’t up to much. The British re-specced it with the Merlin – badged as such and it all went from there.
I think the Spitfire’s claim to fame in the ‘most important fighter’ context is the fact that in various marks it was in service throughout the war as a front line fighter which neither the Hurricane nor Mustang were. Don’t disagree with the above comments though.
gobuchulFree MemberPosted 8 years agoNig – Where did you get the detailed route from?
I am near the Hamlyn flight and would like to know the detail.
NigE5Free MemberPosted 8 years agoVia Surrey traffic police twitter feed they got it from a face book page
Just did a bit copy and paste 🙂m1keaFree MemberPosted 8 years agoCheers Nig
I have a camera, am about 10 miles south of the route but have an ‘important’ meeting at 1PM.
Guess what I’ll be doing…………….?
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