WIX Archives

Re: Potter's Spitfire

Posted by Bob Swaddling on Fri May 16, 2003 11:28:29 AM

In reply top Potter's Spitfire posted by Al on Fri May 16, 2003 09:37:59 AM

: Was just up at Goderich yesterday to see the rollout and f
: irst flight of Michael Potter's Spitfire XVI SL721, which
: had just been refinished as AU-J of 421 Squadron by Skyhar
: bour Refinishing. The paint scheme looked absolutely stun
: ning IMO.
: Potter spent much time speaking with veterans and the medi
: a and anyone else interested in the aircraft. I spoke wit
: h the head engineer who has gone through the SL721 from to
: p to bottom and she in great shape now.
: The engine, which is the original engine to that airframe
: has just 15 hours on the clock SMOH.
: Potter took the aircraft up for a checkflight first with s
: everal passes for the gathered audience. Several hours la
: ter he departed in company with his Beech Staggerwing for
: his home base in Ottawa.
: All in all it was a wonderful day to see such attention pa
: id to a worthy aircraft. Also nice to see SL721 in good h
: ands.
:
: I met up with Jim Church from the WIX board and many other
: gung ho enthusiasts that had driven, like me several hour
: s to see an important piece of history.
:
: Jerry Yagen's Corsair was also in the paint shop, but was
: entirely masked off for further painting. I am sure once
: complete it too will be another painting masterpiece.
:
: Cheers
Thanks Al. I enjoyed meeting you and Steven. Mike was very impressed that you drove so far when I told him last night. He said the trip went fine and he stopped at Kitchener and Peterborough. The weather problems didn't materialise. He is planning some sort of "Open Day" for everyone to see 721 this summer in Ottawa.
After all the work, I am very proud of 721 in her new livery.
Also thanks for giving me the link to this site. I love talking "Spitfire".
Cheers
Bob S.

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