WIX Archives

Re: Spitfire Mk IX ML119 No1 Sqn

Posted by MGM on Fri Nov 02, 2001 08:38:59 PM

In reply top Re: Spitfire Mk IX ML119 No1 Sqn posted by david J burke on Fri Nov 02, 2001 04:56:04 PM

Thank you for the reply David.

I presume then, that LA255 would require a similar amount of difficult and expensive work that ML119 would, or even less.....given that ML has been pushed around for years, and not looked after, while LA has been cared for by people who care for just as long.
I should imagine that the wings of ML119 will also require re-sparring, and re-skinning, which appears to be the norm for Spitfire restorations nowadays anyway.....along with the fuselage reskinning and probably some new frames, new cowlings, new engine, new prop blades ,seriously expensive hub and spinner, new engine bearers, new canopy and windscreen, possible new undercarriage legs (?), new wheels and tyres and brakes, possible new "waggly bits", new cockpit equipment, etc etc etc........

Yes I know about LA255's engine, but the situation can't be very much worse, if at all, than most of the other Griffon Spits which have been restored to fly in recent years.

I can't comment on the flying characteristics of the Griffon Spits, but being a Spitfire Freak as I am, I know that if I owned two MkIX's, and I could afford to own two Spits, then I would certainly try to obtain a different mark (preferably a Griffon) in trade, if only for a bit of variation....just like TFC has.....and they don't appear to mind having a Spitfire that is not quite the nicest to fly....as far as I am aware.....and the pilots of TFC always seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves while flying MV293....especially Steven Grey......definitely some of the very best Spitfire displays I have seen have been done by Mr Grey in that Spit.

If LA255 is actually owned by No1 Sqn Association, and has been right from the 60's, and not by the MOD as it appears everyone else has assumed and written about for years, then why was a Spitfire replica ordered to replace LA in the "Great Gate Guard Spits In-doors Policy".
From what I have read, No1 put up a fierce argument to the Top Brass at the MOD, to allow them to keep their Spitfire and not have it replaced with a full scale model. Needless to say, the MOD finally relented, and they kept LA255 while the replica was given to the RAFM instead.
If any of the above facts are untrue....then the sources I've read it can be blamed....not me ! :-)

If you could get a reaction from the owners of ML119 on my suggestion David, then it would most certainly be very interesting to hear, and of course much appreciated.....unless they would like to say something here themselves which would be even better?
And don't worry(!)....I'm not getting at them(!)...they are fully entitled to do as they like with their own private property.....I suppose it's just really about what I would do given a similar situation.

But anyway, good luck to them with their Spitfires (lucky so-and-so's !), I always love to see another one fly.....whatever mark it is......just wish I could join them someday....after me and Our Tony get "The Deal" done....or I come up with a "Get Rich Quick Scheme" before Avgas runs out......



As regards VP441, It's about time the RNHF went after it.....there must be something that they could find to do a trade for it.....although I've got my eyes on it as well for my future collection :-)?
But then, VP has probably had a few probs as well getting it flying....like wings spars particularly....and the engine and six blade contra-prop......probably a Shackleton Griffon 57, but there just can't be any wooden six-bladed Rotol conta-props about anymore....or are they going to use a cut-down Shack prop with it...as it had when on display in GB ?

Lots of problems with most warbird types when it comes to getting them flying, keeping them flying, and actually flying them, some small and some very big, but that's what it's all about really......if they were easy, I don't think most people would be bothered with them....it's the challenge of getting a powerful old flying machine up in the air again, where they belong, that gives most people the thrill......and it would definitely give me a thrill to rebuild and fly a Mk21 Spitfire if I could, no matter if it was not the nicest of planes to fly.....if it didn't "thrill" and take you to "the edge" (within reason),and there was never a natural human need for something a "bit different".......then everyone would be flying around in Cessna Spam Cans instead, apart from me, because I just hate them.....all the warbirds we love would have been scrapped at the end of service.....this forum wouldn't exist as there would be nothing to talk about.....you would never have heard of me (you should be so lucky!?), and vice-versa.......Warbirds Worldwide would never have got off the ground in the first place, and therefore not ever gone bust....and Today's Pilot would be the biggest aviation mag (!?)instead of Flypast........

in fact forget all the above, we'd most probably be still living in caves and hunting for our dinner every day........see what I'm getting at?

TTFN
Mick




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