Marty_d Posted January 30 Posted January 30 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX BS548 Completes First Flight at Duxford, Becoming Australia’s First Two-Seat Spitfire - Vintage Aviation News VINTAGEAVIATIONNEWS.COM Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX BS548 has successfully completed its first post-restoration flights at Duxford, marking a... Pay's Aviation - wonder if joy flights will happen at some point? 1 1 2
facthunter Posted January 31 Posted January 31 You WILL PAY a Bit for any time in one of those. Nev 1
KRviator Posted January 31 Posted January 31 1 minute ago, facthunter said: You WILL PAY a Bit for any time in one of those. Nev Not me...I admire their role in WW2 and the historical value of preserving aviation's heritage, but I have zero interest in a flight in one. Or a Mustang. Now an F4 or T38? That's another story... 1
facthunter Posted January 31 Posted January 31 I have Knocked Back a flight in things like that. I have no desire to be Over Houses with a single engine that is very old and glides at about 100 Kts IF it stops. Merlins in those Planes had a TBO of about 200 Hours . They also have a very high P factor with the Prop. Get a Bit slow with nose up and apply power and it will roll uncontrollably. Nev. 1
onetrack Posted January 31 Posted January 31 I'd have to agree that the real pleasure in a Spitfire must be in actually flying it - not as a passenger. But my choice would be a Beechcraft Model D17 Staggerwing - pure luxury and total comfort, a classic Art Deco design, and a lovely-sounding and exceptionally reliable R-985 Wasp Junior up front. I just want someone else picking up the fuel tab and maintenance costs. 1 2
facthunter Posted January 31 Posted January 31 They are reputed to be very Pleasant on the controls. I've flown with MANY exWW2 Pilots Most of whom NEVER bring up the subject of the WAR at all. They had too many Mates who didn't come back and many finished the war with About 350 Hours total time. They got the equal of being thrown Into the Atlantic to Learn to Swim. Nev 1
facthunter Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Anyhow you can't beat the reliability of Jet Motors but they Have NO Personality at all and are relatively Much more easy to manage. In a single engined Plane I'm always very Conscious of what I'm Flying OVER. MODERN twin Engined Jets HAVE plenty of Power on ONE. and they will GLIDE 100NM from FL 310.. Nev 1
Marty_d Posted January 31 Author Posted January 31 They're not cheap anywhere. But I can't imagine knocking back a ride in one. 1 1
facthunter Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Well I would. You are welcome. It wouldn't do for Me what it might for you and I always was a risk averse person and Know what can go wrong in older engines where there isn't the Hands on experience there was in their Heyday or the New Bits. Merlins have a few Quirky faults in any case even when New. The thrill and value is not in it for Me Nor would I want my wife and kids to do it either. There are Very few Countries where merlin's were permitted in Civil USE. Nev 1
Gadjet Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Had a ride in Trappo's P51 a looong time ago. $200 Johnny Cash for about 20mins. I have heard a figure of circa $20,000aud/hr for a Spit in the UK now days 😳 1
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