Spitfire 70th anniversary flight

[peacock]

On the 5th of march 1936 at 4.30pm R.J. Mitchells famous Supermarine Spitfire made its maiden flght from Eastleigh airport in Southampton , to mark the 70th anniversary the flight was recreated by a group of 5 spitfires . The lead plane a rare 2 seat trainer had Alex henshaw (93)in the rear , who was chief test pilot in 1939.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/valentine1/Cars%20Planes%20and%20Boats/DPP_1146d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/valentine1/Cars%20Planes%20and%20Boats/IMG_7297d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/valentine1/Cars%20Planes%20and%20Boats/DPP_1152d.jpg

[Sisko]

Fantastic pictures.

Great to see a shot of the two seat trainer.

[larlen]

Nice shots you lucky person :mrgreen:

[IanC_UK]

Excellent shots John :) i really wanted to be down there for this, but was already booked for something else ! :(

[joeseph]

Fabulous John, thanks very much for posting these!

[Carzee]

Didn't make the news shows here- pity.
Wonderful clear shooting. I love the sound as much as the shape of Spitfires. Times gone by.

[peacock]

Thanks for the comments guys ! wish th pictures were better though:(

there is a video clip on the bbc website ( right hand column just below half way down)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

[sam walker]

The coolest of the Brit birds.
Sam

[Large]

Didn't make the news shows here- pity.
Wonderful clear shooting. I love the sound as much as the shape of Spitfires. Times gone by.

It's on Ten news in a few minutes Carzee

[Tsmith]

Awesome shots!

[Mizaki]

Good work John. I actually came here to look if anyone got shots from this show, when I had seen the story on BBC's website. And certainly your shots are better than those posted on BBC's site.

[::John::]

Magic

The last remaining flying one in Australia flew this past weekend in commemoration, too.

I wasn't able to be at the 'drome in OZ for it this past weekend, but am planning to go see it fly next month.

I like your pics, though - always better to see a few in flight than the one I will see.

Nice shots - well done.

[dewmuw]

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up whenever I see a Spitfire - the noise strike to the heart. Thanks for posting.

[tiha]

Strange insignia on the trainer airplane. BTW, great shoots!

[peacock]

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up whenever I see a Spitfire - the noise strike to the heart. Thanks for posting.

I've seen and heard two before and single ones but never five , the sound is amazing.

Thanks for the comments guys .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/valentine1/Cars%20Planes%20and%20Boats/DPP_1157a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/valentine1/Cars%20Planes%20and%20Boats/DPP_1165s.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/valentine1/Cars%20Planes%20and%20Boats/DPP_1168s.jpg

[IanC_UK]

Most i have ever seen in the sky at once was 7 at Duxford last year ! The noise is one of the best on the planet ! :)

[greg20d]

Great shots ....Glad you guys stuffed that engine in our p51 to make it what it bacame ....

[Andy D]

Strange insignia on the trainer airplane. BTW, great shoots!

It's the insignia for the Irish Air Corps; the majority of Mk9 Spitfire Trainers were converted by Vickers for the Irish (IIRC) I also understand that that particular a/c is the latest of them to be restored to flying condition.

:0)

Andy

[ErikW]

Spectacular shots, Peacock! I wish they would pay a visit to Wright-Pat.

[Merlin Driver]

Well done, thanks for sharing them. A great A/C....


Regards,


Lynn

[Nidz]

Nice photos mate.. I aerial photography isn't as easy as it looks..

[Jon]

Thanks for the great shots!

[blighty]

Yeah they're btter than the shots in some of today's papers - you should try and get them onto Getty or something like that.

[peacock]

Thanks everyone for the comments:D

Yeah they're btter than the shots in some of today's papers - you should try and get them onto Getty or something like that.

Wow ! High praise indeed ,though i doubt I merit it, I must confess to scouring the papers for comparison , especially the images of the event for sale in my local paper.....

http://www.nqsouthern.com/dams/ecommerce/store.cfm?start=1&status=2099

I was pleased because I chose a historic location that was not one specified for the event but afforded a better photo opportunty due to the sun whilst still being a place favoured by a huge crowd . some of the silhouette images are nice because the show the "trade mark" elliptical wing shape . I think I could do better with the images I have when I have spent more time processing them (not my strong point).

[anokastealth7]

These remind me of some shots that I took in Oshkosh, WI last summer at their annual air show.

[PhotosGuy]

I'm always happy to see shots of them & have tried for years to get some, but weather or mechanical problems have kept them away. This may be the year as several are supposed to make it here for a show in August. Maybe one, out of them all will? :D
http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/aircraft.htm

[ruffian]

great pics. would love to see some mustangs and some phantoms also.

[peacock]

I'm always happy to see shots of them & have tried for years to get some, but weather or mechanical problems have kept them away. This may be the year as several are supposed to make it here for a show in August. Maybe one, out of them all will? :D
http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/aircraft.htm

good luck for August , that sure is an awesome line up of warbirds:D

[malla1962]

Nice shots.:D

[Balliolman]

Thanks for posting! I like #3 very much and #1 sepia is grand! :D

[mojo_uk]

Great shots John, didn't know this was taking place or I would have been there :( Must have been really thrilling to see all those Spits in the sky together. I saw 9 in a flypast during a display at Wroughton some years ago. I have some video footage but sadly no stills.

[peacock]

Thanks guys :D

not as good as your shot Mark ! It was a thrill though esp with the crowd for the occasion , I plan on doing a lot of airshows and there will be more spitfire special events , I think Duxford has 20 spits planned to fly in Sept . havnt been to an airshow since i was a kid so i'm looking forward to thenm.

[allah]

wow...looks like someone had a little fun! that looks so cool the way that they look so deep but so close too! nice

[Medic1]

Great pictures. Thanks for posting

[CousinMadness]

Amazing John,


I wonder how many folk had lumps in their throat watching those fly over?

This is indeed a shot that is of historical value. It is reminiscent of the multiple Concorde fly past at Farnborough many years ago.

To have the Chief test pilot in a trainer leading the pack - is quite simply a moment overloaded with history.

We are very fortunate to have folks still alive today that were part of it. In another 15 years it will be chronologically impossible for any of these old guys to be still alive. We are lucky that we can talk, meet and shake the hand of someone who gave us our freedom today.

All that will be left for kids born today, are photographs and books telling a story of long ago.



Cousin, who get's a little choked up when he see's the Lancaster fly over Toronto. :rolleyes:

[marie]

Beautiful shots

:cool:

[B.C.]

The last one is great.

[peacock]

Thanks for looking and the comments:)

Cousin , I will be sad when their generation has gone ! I enjoy talking to them

and for the most part find them awash with respect , honour and humility ,

things in short supply these days . the people in this area are very proud of

their past too.