Did anyone else see Top Gear last week?
The 3 presenters took on 3 German presenters and our lot arrived in 3
twin seat Spitfires.
I didn't think that many existed.
I was EXTREEMLY jealous though.

John

In message 
, 
John  writes
>Did anyone else see Top Gear last week?
>The 3 presenters took on 3 German presenters and our lot arrived in 3
>twin seat Spitfires.
>I didn't think that many existed.

Three in this country, according to a quick gwgl - MJ627, ML407, and 
PT462, all Mk. 9s; there are a few more two-seaters overseas.

More info on flyable Spitfires here:-

http://www.spitfiresociety.demon.co.uk/flying.htm

More info on the Top Gear 'fly-in' at

http://forum.ml407.co.uk/index.php?topic=890.0

>I was EXTREEMLY jealous though.

Likewise...

ObSE: Anyone been, or going to, Thurlow/Haverhill rally? - we decided 
not to go today due to the rain, but if it's dry tomorrow, we might 
possibly go then.
-- 
Regards,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

Andrew,

Just to upset you I have a friend who lives on the edge of Cambridgeshire 
who has just complained via text how hot and humid it is and would not 
believe me when I said it was\is raining here in Bedford.

Martin P


"Andrew Marshall"  wrote in message 
news:+6VDt4B$sElIFw22@g8bur.demon.co.uk...
> In message 
> , John 
>  writes
>>Did anyone else see Top Gear last week?
>>The 3 presenters took on 3 German presenters and our lot arrived in 3
>>twin seat Spitfires.
>>I didn't think that many existed.
>
> Three in this country, according to a quick gwgl - MJ627, ML407, and 
> PT462, all Mk. 9s; there are a few more two-seaters overseas.
>
> More info on flyable Spitfires here:-
>
> http://www.spitfiresociety.demon.co.uk/flying.htm
>
> More info on the Top Gear 'fly-in' at
>
> http://forum.ml407.co.uk/index.php?topic=890.0
>
>>I was EXTREEMLY jealous though.
>
> Likewise...
>
> ObSE: Anyone been, or going to, Thurlow/Haverhill rally? - we decided not 
> to go today due to the rain, but if it's dry tomorrow, we might possibly 
> go then.
> -- 
> Regards,
> Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
> Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

In message , campingstoveman 
 writes
>Andrew,

>Just to upset you I have a friend who lives on the edge of Cambridgeshire
>who has just complained via text how hot and humid it is and would not
>believe me when I said it was\is raining here in Bedford.

It's been very erratic weather-wise over this side of the country today, 
AFAICS. I worked the amateur radio special event station at Thurlow 
rally, on 3766 kc/s, not long after lunch, and the operator there said 
that the ground was still hard, but it had rained a fair bit, and they 
expected more rain today, but dry weather with some sunshine tomorrow. 
As I was speaking to him, it was throwing it down in torrents outside my 
shack window.

A little later, I spoke on 4m to a chap in Harlow, who reported that 
very heavy rain was falling there; here, the rain had given way to 
bright sunshine and minimal cloud.

We've decided not to go to Thurlow tomorrow; a pity, but apart from the 
weather, it's quite a long trog from here, and expensive on fuel, 
especially as I'm still without an income.
-- 
Regards,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

We had two good days at Bamburgh Castle. It rained both days - hard, but not 
for long & there were stunningly spectacular sunsets on Friday, Saturday & 
Sunday.

I filmed for the  BBC "Coast" series on Sunday & it will be aired next 
spring.

regards,

Kim Siddorn

"Andrew Marshall"  wrote in message 
news:YE2qSMRwHOlIFwwW@g8bur.demon.co.uk...
> In message , campingstoveman 
>  writes
>>Andrew,
>
>>Just to upset you I have a friend who lives on the edge of Cambridgeshire
>>who has just complained via text how hot and humid it is and would not
>>believe me when I said it was\is raining here in Bedford.
>
> It's been very erratic weather-wise over this side of the country today, 
> AFAICS. I worked the amateur radio special event station at Thurlow rally, 
> on 3766 kc/s, not long after lunch, and the operator there said that the 
> ground was still hard, but it had rained a fair bit, and they expected 
> more rain today, but dry weather with some sunshine tomorrow. As I was 
> speaking to him, it was throwing it down in torrents outside my shack 
> window.
>
> A little later, I spoke on 4m to a chap in Harlow, who reported that very 
> heavy rain was falling there; here, the rain had given way to bright 
> sunshine and minimal cloud.
>
> We've decided not to go to Thurlow tomorrow; a pity, but apart from the 
> weather, it's quite a long trog from here, and expensive on fuel, 
> especially as I'm still without an income.
> -- 
> Regards,
> Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
> Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft & 
another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick Grace 
had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay - was the 
other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other has a 
rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?

I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and none 
survive of that batch.

Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a flight 
in one!) would be of great interest.

regards,

Kim Siddorn

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message 
news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...

>
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a 
> flight in one!) would be of great interest.

There's one based around the North Wales area I think, it's owner has static 
caravan parks . You could always ask him. But, as a starter, a Mustang or 
Spit works out at around £1500/hour for the airshow circuit, and I think you 
buy insurance by the hour.

I would think that you would be better off going to Florida and flying a 
Mustang their. (Better looking machines than the Spitfire :~))  It's a 
routine business, my mate flew a Harvard there a few months ago so if you 
want more info then let me know.

Julian.

Kim Siddorn wrote:
> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft & 
> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick Grace 
> had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay - was the 
> other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other has a 
> rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
> 
> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and none 
> survive of that batch.
> 
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a flight 
> in one!) would be of great interest.
> 
> regards,
> 
> Kim Siddorn 
> 
> 
Genuine two-seaters have the bumpy second canopy. I'm not sure on the 
figures but there are several in existence including some ex Irish ones. 
I believe there is even one being converted to a single seat 
configuration. The ones with the flatish second canopy would be 'fake' 
two-seaters converted for the purpose of giving people rides (is there 
more than one of these?). If you try hard enough with google you ought 
to be able to find out more.
Regards
Peter

ISTR that the Grace Spitfire was converted for training duties for the
Irish Air Force. The rebuild was featured in a TV documentary many
years ago. I still have it on tape.

Fancy flying a Spitfire?
Try here http://www.spitflight.com/
Intriguing but I don't see how they do it for the price. You may only
get 10 minutes or so but what a 10 minutes.

John

Separately, a friend tells me he put his name down five years ago for a 
flight in Mrs Grace's Spit & recently took up an option. He was cagey about 
the price, but indicated that £1,500 bought him about twenty minutes - not 
that he cared at all!

I'm afraid I don't like the look of the "give us £575 & no, you can't come 
and look at it much less photograph it" and "An info pack is £5.00 please"

Call me cynical if you like ....................

Anyway, with no calendar in view I might be dead first!

John, is there any possibility of a DVD of your tape? I'd happily cover any 
costs involved.

regards,

Kim Siddorn

"John"  wrote in message 
news:19de258b-8ad3-4261-ba62-a46199c3b209@w7g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> ISTR that the Grace Spitfire was converted for training duties for the
> Irish Air Force. The rebuild was featured in a TV documentary many
> years ago. I still have it on tape.
>
> Fancy flying a Spitfire?
> Try here http://www.spitflight.com/
> Intriguing but I don't see how they do it for the price. You may only
> get 10 minutes or so but what a 10 minutes.
>
> John

"John"  wrote in message 
news:19de258b-8ad3-4261-ba62-a46199c3b209@w7g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...

> Fancy flying a Spitfire?
> Try here http://www.spitflight.com/
> Intriguing but I don't see how they do it for the price. You may only
> get 10 minutes or so but what a 10 minutes.

You are buying a share in the plane, that's a very common thing in the 
aviation world.

If you want to fly it (obviously as a passenger and you'll get to hold the 
stick and have a little 'go,') then you'll need to pay the syndicate's 
hourly rate for the thing - about £1500-2000/hour would be a good guess.

Remember that solo flight, take off and landing etc will not be possible 
unless you have a licence, gained a lot of experience in Harvards etc and do 
a conversion which will be about the price of a new house! Remember that the 
RAF suffered more Spitfire accidents and losses due to take off and landing 
accidents than they did c/o the Me109!

As joint owner of the plane you'll be expected to pay your share of 
hangarage, insurance, maintenance (scheduled and unscheduled) and all sorts 
of other incidentals, (like when the engine develops a crack in one of the 
banks and glycol ends up in the oil!)

Without doubt the States is the place to go if you want a blast around the 
skies in a warbird, it's much cheaper over there.

Julian.

On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 03:25:49 퍝, Kim Siddorn wrote:

> I'm afraid I don't like the look of the "give us £575 & no, you can't 
> come and look at it much less photograph it" and "An info pack is £5.00 
> please"

Yes it made me suspicious as well. They could be bonafide but they don'tcome across like that. A time line and pictures of the machine they havewould be a little more convincing, always assuming the machine is more 
than just an engine and seat...

-- 
Cheers
Dave.

On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 03:25:49 +0100, "Kim Siddorn"
 wrote:

>Separately, a friend tells me he put his name down five years ago for a 
>flight in Mrs Grace's Spit & recently took up an option. He was cagey about 
>the price, but indicated that £1,500 bought him about twenty minutes - not 
>that he cared at all!
>
>I'm afraid I don't like the look of the "give us £575 & no, you can't come 
>and look at it much less photograph it" and "An info pack is £5.00 please"
>
>Call me cynical if you like ....................

[snip]

See  http://www.greatwarflyingmuseum.com/planes/our_planes.html

You can wander in the hanger and look around their planes, visit the
workshop and see the restoration / replica building / rebuilding  in
progress, chat for as long as you like with knowledgable staff and all
for a voluntary contribution in the biscuit tin as you leave the
premises.

No flights offered, but then I didn't ask.  8-:

-- 
brightside S9

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message 
news:6fv4p5Fcj18mU1@mid.individual.net...
he cared at all!
>
> I'm afraid I don't like the look of the "give us £575 & no, you can't come 
> and look at it much less photograph it" and "An info pack is £5.00 please"
>
> Call me cynical if you like ....................

Probably to keep the spotters away. When I was involved with light aviation 
one of the problems was 'spotters' who would clamber over airfield perimeter 
fences, 'find' entry to hangars etc etc.  The usual problems with 'Pikey' 
spotters with light fingers etc meant that the safest option was to keep the 
bsuggers out.

I should point out that the vast majority of spotters are entirely 
trustworthy - just the standard few rotten apples that spoil it for all.

Julian.

> Converted from what to what, when? Are you sure?
> Regards
> Peter

Converted from single seater to twin before it was restored. I can't
remember all the details, I've not watched the tape for a few years
but it started out as a real WWII fighter and saw active service. I'm
sure the details are out there but my time is extremely limited at
present so I refuse to get distracted to that extent.

John

On Aug 7, 2:58 pm, John  wrote:
> > Converted from what to what, when? Are you sure?
> > Regards
> > Peter
>
> Converted from single seater to twin before it was restored. I can't
> remember all the details, I've not watched the tape for a few years
> but it started out as a real WWII fighter and saw active service. I'm
> sure the details are out there but my time is extremely limited at
> present so I refuse to get distracted to that extent.
>
> John

OK, I'm a weak willed *****
http://www.spitfire.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/competition/history.php

John

> John, is there any possibility of a DVD of your tape? I'd happily cover any
> costs involved.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn


 Kim, PM sent.

John

"John"  wrote in message 
news:314a18ef-ce30-4e5e-ba7c-2bf7ca5bf9d9@e53g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>> John, is there any possibility of a DVD of your tape? I'd happily cover 
>> any
>> costs involved.
>>
>> regards,
>>
>> Kim Siddorn
>
>
> Kim, PM sent.

Maybe it's here:

http://www12.alluc.org/alluc/

Julian.

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>
> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
> none survive of that batch.
>
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn
>-- 

Kim,

My Wife, Son And his fiance have just come back from Duxford , I had to work
:-(

They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
year waiting list!!!

I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away

Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>
> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
> none survive of that batch.
>
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn
>-- 

Kim,

My Wife, Son And his fiance have just come back from Duxford , I had to work
:-(

They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
year waiting list!!!

I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away

Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>
> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
> none survive of that batch.
>
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn
>-- 

Kim,

My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to work
:-(

They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
year waiting list!!!

I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away

Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>
> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
> none survive of that batch.
>
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn
>-- 

Kim,

My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to work
:-(

They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
year waiting list!!!

I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away

Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>
> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
> none survive of that batch.
>
> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn
>-- 

Kim,

My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to work
:-(

They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
year waiting list!!!

I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away

Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Pete Aldous"  wrote in message 
news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>
>
>
> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>
>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
>> none survive of that batch.
>>
>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>
>> regards,
>>
>> Kim Siddorn
>>-- 
>
> Kim,
>
> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to 
> work
> :-(
>
> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
> year waiting list!!!
>
> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>
> Pete Aldous
>
> http://www.stationaryengine.org
>
Sorry for the multiple posts, Virgin Media was playing up last night and has 
just burst in to life Grrr
-- 
Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Pete Aldous"  wrote in message news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the bay -
>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The other
>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
>> none survive of that batch.
>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>> regards,
>> Kim Siddorn
> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to work
> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a 5
> year waiting list!!!

> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
> Pete Aldous

Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your message five times. 8^)
-- 
Dave Croft
Warrington
http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv

"Dave Croft"  wrote in message
news:6g13t3FdoffkU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message
> news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
>> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
>>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
>>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the
>>> bay -
>>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The
>>> other
>>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
>>> none survive of that batch.
>>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>> regards,
>>> Kim Siddorn
>> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to
>> work
>> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
>> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a
>> 5
>> year waiting list!!!
>
>> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
>> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>> Pete Aldous
>
> Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your message
> five times. 8^)
> -- 
> Dave Croft
> Warrington
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
> http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv
>
>
Hi Dave,
I must admit the idea sends a tingle down the spine :-)

As  most of you know I am from Suffolk which is the wrong side of the
Country from a lot of regulars on this NG however if anyone is in the
vicinity of Bury St Edmunds next Weekend, Rougham Airfield is holding it's
Annual Flying weekend.
Last Year there was not too much going on on the Saturday except for the
Wing Walking girls and Sunday morning was a bit lacking but Sunday afternoon
was excellent with no less than FOUR Spitfires, a P47 Mustang, If I remember
a P51 and a host of aerobatics including Denny Dobson in the Extra 300 and
another guy whose name escapes me who was every bit as good as Denny, also
in an Extra, Nigel Wilson in the Yak, etc etc.
Needless to say I did not run my engine much that afternoon.

Oh and I nearly forgot, a trailer mounted Merlin and the rumor is the
Griffon is coming this year.
-- 
Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

"Dave Croft"  wrote in message
news:6g13t3FdoffkU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message
> news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
>> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft &
>>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
>>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the
>>> bay -
>>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The
>>> other
>>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
>>> none survive of that batch.
>>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>> regards,
>>> Kim Siddorn
>> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to
>> work
>> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
>> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a
>> 5
>> year waiting list!!!
>
>> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as we
>> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>> Pete Aldous
>
> Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your message
> five times. 8^)
> -- 
> Dave Croft
> Warrington
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
> http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv
>
>
Hi Dave,
I must admit the idea sends a tingle down the spine :-)

As  most of you know I am from Suffolk which is the wrong side of the
Country from a lot of regulars on this NG however if anyone is in the
vicinity of Bury St Edmunds next Weekend, Rougham Airfield is holding it's
Annual Flying weekend.
Last Year there was not too much going on on the Saturday except for the
Wing Walking girls and Sunday morning was a bit lacking but Sunday afternoon
was excellent with no less than FOUR Spitfires, a P47 Mustang, If I remember
a P51 and a host of aerobatics including Denny Dobson in the Extra 300 and
another guy whose name escapes me who was every bit as good as Denny, also
in an Extra, Nigel Wilson in the Yak, etc etc.
Needless to say I did not run my engine much that afternoon.

Oh and I nearly forgot, a trailer mounted Merlin and the rumor is the
Griffon is coming this year.
-- 
Pete Aldous

http://www.stationaryengine.org

Gentlemen,

Living where I am is a spotters dream of Vintage aircraft, Old Warden, 
Shuttleworth, Airfield is about four miles south of me, Duxford is about 
fifteen minutes flying time south east of me and Gransden Airfield is about 
twenty minutes north east of me. Last weekend Sunday, for instance I had an 
F86, P51, Spitfire, Anson and I think I caught site of the B of B flight as 
well. There is always something going overhead, on the Saturday a Dragon 
Rapide poodled over on its way to Duxford. That and the East coast main line 
with regular runs from Union of South Africa, Bittern and Sir Nigel Greasley 
all A4's running up and down it. Its almost paradise.

Martin P

Martin P
"Pete Aldous"  wrote in message 
news:P%Jmk.75140$8w4.382@newsfe30.ams2...
>
>
>
> "Dave Croft"  wrote in message
> news:6g13t3FdoffkU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message
>> news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>>> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
>>> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft 
>>>> &
>>>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
>>>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the
>>>> bay -
>>>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The
>>>> other
>>>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters and
>>>> none survive of that batch.
>>>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>>>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>>> regards,
>>>> Kim Siddorn
>>> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to
>>> work
>>> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
>>> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to a
>>> 5
>>> year waiting list!!!
>>
>>> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as 
>>> we
>>> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>>> Pete Aldous
>>
>> Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your 
>> message
>> five times. 8^)
>> -- 
>> Dave Croft
>> Warrington
>> http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
>> http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv
>>
>>
> Hi Dave,
> I must admit the idea sends a tingle down the spine :-)
>
> As  most of you know I am from Suffolk which is the wrong side of the
> Country from a lot of regulars on this NG however if anyone is in the
> vicinity of Bury St Edmunds next Weekend, Rougham Airfield is holding it's
> Annual Flying weekend.
> Last Year there was not too much going on on the Saturday except for the
> Wing Walking girls and Sunday morning was a bit lacking but Sunday 
> afternoon
> was excellent with no less than FOUR Spitfires, a P47 Mustang, If I 
> remember
> a P51 and a host of aerobatics including Denny Dobson in the Extra 300 and
> another guy whose name escapes me who was every bit as good as Denny, also
> in an Extra, Nigel Wilson in the Yak, etc etc.
> Needless to say I did not run my engine much that afternoon.
>
> Oh and I nearly forgot, a trailer mounted Merlin and the rumor is the
> Griffon is coming this year.
> -- 
> Pete Aldous
>
> http://www.stationaryengine.org
>

Good God, Martin, I should never sit down if I lived in your house. Hazel 
and I watched a speck performing aeros at the balloon fiesta yesterday from 
my office window. Too far away for decent identification, from the engine 
note, I'd be pretty sure it was a Griffon engined aircraft & as the company 
Spit lives in Filton, surmised that it might be that one.

regards,

Kim Siddorn

"campingstoveman"  wrote in message 
news:wJKdndIR2aWkOgHVRVnytAA@bt.com...
> Gentlemen,
>
> Living where I am is a spotters dream of Vintage aircraft, Old Warden, 
> Shuttleworth, Airfield is about four miles south of me, Duxford is about 
> fifteen minutes flying time south east of me and Gransden Airfield is 
> about twenty minutes north east of me. Last weekend Sunday, for instance I 
> had an F86, P51, Spitfire, Anson and I think I caught site of the B of B 
> flight as well. There is always something going overhead, on the Saturday 
> a Dragon Rapide poodled over on its way to Duxford. That and the East 
> coast main line with regular runs from Union of South Africa, Bittern and 
> Sir Nigel Greasley all A4's running up and down it. Its almost paradise.
>
> Martin P
>
> Martin P
> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message 
> news:P%Jmk.75140$8w4.382@newsfe30.ams2...
>>
>>
>>
>> "Dave Croft"  wrote in message
>> news:6g13t3FdoffkU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message
>>> news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>>>> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
>>>> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's aircraft 
>>>>> &
>>>>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that Nick
>>>>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the
>>>>> bay -
>>>>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The
>>>>> other
>>>>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>>>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters 
>>>>> and
>>>>> none survive of that batch.
>>>>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>>>>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>>>> regards,
>>>>> Kim Siddorn
>>>> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had to
>>>> work
>>>> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
>>>> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to 
>>>> a
>>>> 5
>>>> year waiting list!!!
>>>
>>>> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as 
>>>> we
>>>> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>>>> Pete Aldous
>>>
>>> Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your 
>>> message
>>> five times. 8^)
>>> -- 
>>> Dave Croft
>>> Warrington
>>> http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
>>> http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv
>>>
>>>
>> Hi Dave,
>> I must admit the idea sends a tingle down the spine :-)
>>
>> As  most of you know I am from Suffolk which is the wrong side of the
>> Country from a lot of regulars on this NG however if anyone is in the
>> vicinity of Bury St Edmunds next Weekend, Rougham Airfield is holding 
>> it's
>> Annual Flying weekend.
>> Last Year there was not too much going on on the Saturday except for the
>> Wing Walking girls and Sunday morning was a bit lacking but Sunday 
>> afternoon
>> was excellent with no less than FOUR Spitfires, a P47 Mustang, If I 
>> remember
>> a P51 and a host of aerobatics including Denny Dobson in the Extra 300 
>> and
>> another guy whose name escapes me who was every bit as good as Denny, 
>> also
>> in an Extra, Nigel Wilson in the Yak, etc etc.
>> Needless to say I did not run my engine much that afternoon.
>>
>> Oh and I nearly forgot, a trailer mounted Merlin and the rumor is the
>> Griffon is coming this year.
>> -- 
>> Pete Aldous
>>
>> http://www.stationaryengine.org
>>
>
>

Kim,

Binoculars and camera always at the ready, it is also under the flight paths 
for Luton, Stanstead and Heathrow, many a time I have seen my house from a 
few thousand feet on my way in or out of Luton to and from jobs. Until last 
year Air Atlantic's DC6 used to do the evening mail run from Coventry to 
Europe right over our house. Been to a Funday with the Rover today at a Sue 
Ryder Hospice with over 70+ Classic cars, only three miles from home.

Also forgot to mention Cardington Hangers are only two miles away, home of 
the R100 and R101, still occasionally get the odd Airship in one of the 
Hangers.
As I said paradise.

Martin P

"Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message 
news:6g80f4Fe6dq5U1@mid.individual.net...
> Good God, Martin, I should never sit down if I lived in your house. Hazel 
> and I watched a speck performing aeros at the balloon fiesta yesterday 
> from my office window. Too far away for decent identification, from the 
> engine note, I'd be pretty sure it was a Griffon engined aircraft & as the 
> company Spit lives in Filton, surmised that it might be that one.
>
> regards,
>
> Kim Siddorn
>
> "campingstoveman"  wrote in message 
> news:wJKdndIR2aWkOgHVRVnytAA@bt.com...
>> Gentlemen,
>>
>> Living where I am is a spotters dream of Vintage aircraft, Old Warden, 
>> Shuttleworth, Airfield is about four miles south of me, Duxford is about 
>> fifteen minutes flying time south east of me and Gransden Airfield is 
>> about twenty minutes north east of me. Last weekend Sunday, for instance 
>> I had an F86, P51, Spitfire, Anson and I think I caught site of the B of 
>> B flight as well. There is always something going overhead, on the 
>> Saturday a Dragon Rapide poodled over on its way to Duxford. That and the 
>> East coast main line with regular runs from Union of South Africa, 
>> Bittern and Sir Nigel Greasley all A4's running up and down it. Its 
>> almost paradise.
>>
>> Martin P
>>
>> Martin P
>> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message 
>> news:P%Jmk.75140$8w4.382@newsfe30.ams2...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Dave Croft"  wrote in message
>>> news:6g13t3FdoffkU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>
>>>> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message
>>>> news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>>>>> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's 
>>>>>> aircraft &
>>>>>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that 
>>>>>> Nick
>>>>>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the
>>>>>> bay -
>>>>>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The
>>>>>> other
>>>>>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>>>>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters 
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> none survive of that batch.
>>>>>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting a
>>>>>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>>>>> regards,
>>>>>> Kim Siddorn
>>>>> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had 
>>>>> to
>>>>> work
>>>>> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 thousand
>>>>> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up to 
>>>>> a
>>>>> 5
>>>>> year waiting list!!!
>>>>
>>>>> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend as 
>>>>> we
>>>>> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>>>>> Pete Aldous
>>>>
>>>> Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your 
>>>> message
>>>> five times. 8^)
>>>> -- 
>>>> Dave Croft
>>>> Warrington
>>>> http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
>>>> http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Hi Dave,
>>> I must admit the idea sends a tingle down the spine :-)
>>>
>>> As  most of you know I am from Suffolk which is the wrong side of the
>>> Country from a lot of regulars on this NG however if anyone is in the
>>> vicinity of Bury St Edmunds next Weekend, Rougham Airfield is holding 
>>> it's
>>> Annual Flying weekend.
>>> Last Year there was not too much going on on the Saturday except for the
>>> Wing Walking girls and Sunday morning was a bit lacking but Sunday 
>>> afternoon
>>> was excellent with no less than FOUR Spitfires, a P47 Mustang, If I 
>>> remember
>>> a P51 and a host of aerobatics including Denny Dobson in the Extra 300 
>>> and
>>> another guy whose name escapes me who was every bit as good as Denny, 
>>> also
>>> in an Extra, Nigel Wilson in the Yak, etc etc.
>>> Needless to say I did not run my engine much that afternoon.
>>>
>>> Oh and I nearly forgot, a trailer mounted Merlin and the rumor is the
>>> Griffon is coming this year.
>>> -- 
>>> Pete Aldous
>>>
>>> http://www.stationaryengine.org
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

We went to Daughters for lunch yesterday  & were surprised to find she'd 
laid on an extended Red Arrows display, an early straight winged jet that 
was probably a jet provost and another look at the Griffon engined Spit! She 
lives closer to the balloon fiesta than us!

Also, the bloke next door has several interesting Norton singles and a 1939 
KSS Velo.

regards,

Kim Siddorn

"campingstoveman"  wrote in message 
news:Nfedncdz8KQwpwLVnZ2dnUVZ8tDinZ2d@bt.com...
> Kim,
>
> Binoculars and camera always at the ready, it is also under the flight 
> paths for Luton, Stanstead and Heathrow, many a time I have seen my house 
> from a few thousand feet on my way in or out of Luton to and from jobs. 
> Until last year Air Atlantic's DC6 used to do the evening mail run from 
> Coventry to Europe right over our house. Been to a Funday with the Rover 
> today at a Sue Ryder Hospice with over 70+ Classic cars, only three miles 
> from home.
>
> Also forgot to mention Cardington Hangers are only two miles away, home of 
> the R100 and R101, still occasionally get the odd Airship in one of the 
> Hangers.
> As I said paradise.
>
> Martin P
>
> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message 
> news:6g80f4Fe6dq5U1@mid.individual.net...
>> Good God, Martin, I should never sit down if I lived in your house. Hazel 
>> and I watched a speck performing aeros at the balloon fiesta yesterday 
>> from my office window. Too far away for decent identification, from the 
>> engine note, I'd be pretty sure it was a Griffon engined aircraft & as 
>> the company Spit lives in Filton, surmised that it might be that one.
>>
>> regards,
>>
>> Kim Siddorn
>>
>> "campingstoveman"  wrote in message 
>> news:wJKdndIR2aWkOgHVRVnytAA@bt.com...
>>> Gentlemen,
>>>
>>> Living where I am is a spotters dream of Vintage aircraft, Old Warden, 
>>> Shuttleworth, Airfield is about four miles south of me, Duxford is about 
>>> fifteen minutes flying time south east of me and Gransden Airfield is 
>>> about twenty minutes north east of me. Last weekend Sunday, for instance 
>>> I had an F86, P51, Spitfire, Anson and I think I caught site of the B of 
>>> B flight as well. There is always something going overhead, on the 
>>> Saturday a Dragon Rapide poodled over on its way to Duxford. That and 
>>> the East coast main line with regular runs from Union of South Africa, 
>>> Bittern and Sir Nigel Greasley all A4's running up and down it. Its 
>>> almost paradise.
>>>
>>> Martin P
>>>
>>> Martin P
>>> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message 
>>> news:P%Jmk.75140$8w4.382@newsfe30.ams2...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Dave Croft"  wrote in message
>>>> news:6g13t3FdoffkU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Pete Aldous"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:2KImk.228851$oo.99777@newsfe09.ams2...
>>>>>> "Kim Siddorn"  wrote in message
>>>>>> news:6ftbp0Fd9homU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>>> I've just watched the TG episode in question. Carolyn Grace's 
>>>>>>> aircraft &
>>>>>>> another have more or less flat second canopies. I understood that 
>>>>>>> Nick
>>>>>>> Grace had modified a standard Spit in order to give trips round the
>>>>>>> bay -
>>>>>>> was the other similar one also a post-manufacture modification? The
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>> has a rather lumpy bubble canopy - is this too a modification?
>>>>>>> I believe that only the Irish Air Force ordered genuine two seaters 
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> none survive of that batch.
>>>>>>> Any updates on these matters  (including how one goes about getting 
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> flight in one!) would be of great interest.
>>>>>>> regards,
>>>>>>> Kim Siddorn
>>>>>> My Wife, Son And his fiancé have just come back from Duxford , I had 
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> work
>>>>>> They were advertising trips in a Spitfire for between 3 and 5 
>>>>>> thousand
>>>>>> pounds depending on he length of flight but apparently there was up 
>>>>>> to a
>>>>>> 5
>>>>>> year waiting list!!!
>>>>>
>>>>>> I will check this out first hand on the August Bank holiday weekend 
>>>>>> as we
>>>>>> are staying on a Caravan site a couple of miles away
>>>>>> Pete Aldous
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Pete, The idea is getting you exited. I have just received your 
>>>>> message
>>>>> five times. 8^)
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Dave Croft
>>>>> Warrington
>>>>> http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
>>>>> http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Hi Dave,
>>>> I must admit the idea sends a tingle down the spine :-)
>>>>
>>>> As  most of you know I am from Suffolk which is the wrong side of the
>>>> Country from a lot of regulars on this NG however if anyone is in the
>>>> vicinity of Bury St Edmunds next Weekend, Rougham Airfield is holding 
>>>> it's
>>>> Annual Flying weekend.
>>>> Last Year there was not too much going on on the Saturday except for 
>>>> the
>>>> Wing Walking girls and Sunday morning was a bit lacking but Sunday 
>>>> afternoon
>>>> was excellent with no less than FOUR Spitfires, a P47 Mustang, If I 
>>>> remember
>>>> a P51 and a host of aerobatics including Denny Dobson in the Extra 300 
>>>> and
>>>> another guy whose name escapes me who was every bit as good as Denny, 
>>>> also
>>>> in an Extra, Nigel Wilson in the Yak, etc etc.
>>>> Needless to say I did not run my engine much that afternoon.
>>>>
>>>> Oh and I nearly forgot, a trailer mounted Merlin and the rumor is the
>>>> Griffon is coming this year.
>>>> -- 
>>>> Pete Aldous
>>>>
>>>> http://www.stationaryengine.org
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>