Two seat Spitfire coming to Australia

[Marty_d]

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX BS548 Completes First Flight at Duxford, Becoming Australia’s First Two-Seat Spitfire - Vintage Aviation News

VINTAGEAVIATIONNEWS.COM

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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?

 

 

[facthunter]

You  WILL PAY a Bit for any time in one of those. Nev

[KRviator]

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...

[facthunter]

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.

[onetrack]

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.

 

 

[facthunter]

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

[facthunter]

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

[Marty_d]

They're not cheap anywhere.

But I can't imagine knocking back a ride in one.

[facthunter]

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

[Gadjet]

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 😳