Spitfire engine out. Safe landing. Lax maintenance to blame.

[danny_galaga]

70 year old fuel gasket 😲

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c203v72wwp7o

Edited Thursday at 11:58 PM by danny_galaga

[BrendAn]

1 minute ago, danny_galaga said:

70 year old fuel gasket 😲

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c203v72wwp7o

was it still under warranty

[Marty_d]

Good outcome.

[BrendAn]

aren't those 2 seater versions extremely rare, like only a couple flying 

[facthunter]

Yes . I think they are a conversion. Nev

[kgwilson]

The guns had been removed probably to save weight after adding the second seat (later versions had canons) & the prop looks to be composite not metal. Looks very repairable to me but won't be cheap.

[facthunter]

Despite the Aura and nostalgia with the RR Merlin it did have a few  basic faults and did not have a very high TBO. In Most Countries it was never accepted on the Civil Register as a commercial powerplant. Magneto skew gear failure . Cam follower scuffing ( No rollers) and Auto Boost Control amongst other things . It's easy to cast Blame on restorers and I  wouldn't take much notice of the "OLD GASKET" thing. There is some Good stuff on the skew gear on line.  Nev

[skippydiesel]

I think the Irish Air Force had two seat Spitfires - it correct , probably where it originated 😈

[facthunter]

I think they are used for endorsements. Nev

[Student Pilot]

Originally for training, now for hire and reward. Big market in joy flights, something like 5 flying in England?

[Neil_S]

There are at least half a dozen in the UK. My brother and I flew in the two at Duxford earlier this year (they also have a two seat Hurricane), and there are three at Biggin Hill. 

You can fly in a two-seat Spitfire in the UK from several locations, includingBiggin Hill (Kent), Duxford (Cambridgeshire), Blackpool Airport, and North Weald (Essex). Other locations offering flights include Headcorn (Kent), Compton Abbas (Dorset), Goodwood (West Sussex), and Bournemouth Airport (Dorset), according to Aero Legends, and Spitfires.com.

 

Cheers, 

Neil

[danny_galaga]

23 hours ago, kgwilson said:

The guns had been removed probably to save weight after adding the second seat (later versions had canons) & the prop looks to be composite not metal. Looks very repairable to me but won't be cheap.

Already flying again.

 

His reasoning for not lowering the landing gear was sound. A reminder that people die trying to save the aircraft. 

[facthunter]

It only extends the gliding range. As a General rule, Lower the Gear to absorb the Energy, unless ditching.  Nev

[facthunter]

Pretty Fortunate to find such a LARGE flat Paddock..  Nev

[IBob]

At a BBQ in town some 40yrs ago, we got a lovely low fast banked pass from a Spitfire. We were all amazed and delighted, most of us had never even seen one.
About an hour later we heard he was down in a paddock.
Apparently he ran out of fuel....or ran out of accessible fuel: had more in wing tank/s (?) but the engine has to be running to pump it across. So once the music stopped, that was it.....

[danny_galaga]

On 11/10/2025 at 10:53 AM, facthunter said:

Pretty Fortunate to find such a LARGE flat Paddock..  Nev

Possibly because he extended his gliding range 😉

[facthunter]

WE don't have details of what height he was at . It's always important to be able to reach your chosen field and to ensure it happens aim to be a bit high with your Planned touchdown well in, to be safe. Try to be into wind and flap extended to reduce energy. Lower ground speed.

[planedriver]

Have a family member who had a flight on that one for his 90th Birthday, after working on them many years before.

Sad to see, but i'm certain the boys at Biggin Hill will have her in the air again.

[Neil_S]

The Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford have recently completed the restoration/rebuild of another two-seat Spitfire "Lady Luck" MJ444.

 

Cheers,

Neil

[facthunter]

Spitfires are  not that "Thick on the Ground". .  You  wouldn't want  an "OFF Field" landing in a built up area. or rough  terrain. Nev

[danny_galaga]

9 hours ago, facthunter said:

Spitfires are  not that "Thick on the Ground". .  You  wouldn't want  an "OFF Field" landing in a built up area. or rough  terrain. Nev

Pretty sure that goes for any aircraft 

[danny_galaga]

On 12/10/2025 at 7:41 PM, planedriver said:

Have a family member who had a flight on that one for his 90th Birthday, after working on them many years before.

Sad to see, but i'm certain the boys at Biggin Hill will have her in the air again.

Yeah, it was fixed pretty quickly and flying again 🙂

[facthunter]

Most planes don't glide as fast as WW2 Fighters Must to maintain control.  Nev
 

[facthunter]

I should have said Light aircraft and also U/L's have a limited  required (slow) stall speed which helps reduce risk.  Nev

Edited 20 hours ago by facthunter
expand

[danny_galaga]

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

I should have said Light aircraft and also U/L's have a limited  required (slow) stall speed which helps reduce risk.  Nev

Got it.