Simviation Forums

Shown on C4 last night, if you've not seen it, check it out. The bit with the Browning .50 cal and the 5-Series nearly caused me a bladder bursting moment
A superb documentary, fascinating, insightful and just plain fun! Guy's enthusiasm just bursts out of the telly.

Sorry Mark. I expected better from Guy Martin. As with most of these TV documentaries I was very disappointed. I realise you can't please everyone but they didn't show the parts of the construction that I was most interested in.

The impression was given that this was a restored Spitfire when if the truth is known the only original part fitted to it was the manufacturer's nameplate. Nevertheless they made a smashing job of it.

The bit with the Browning .50 cal and the 5-Series nearly caused me a bladder bursting moment

As for the .50 cal demonstrated, this is a 1939 vintage Spitfire Mk Ia which was fitted with 8 x .303 Browning MGs. The .50 cal was not fitted to the Spit until 1944.

They should have had you there Doug!

Don't you find this - whenever you know the precise details behind a story and you watch a TV program about it - it's SO wrong!

Lesson learned. Most TV is just plainly inaccurate . My sister once went out with a well known TV reporter and he admitted exactly that.

Tell me about it!!..... ... ....>>>

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general ... /0720.html

Paul.... ... ...!

They did indeed state about the armament and that originally the Spits were fitted with .303s not bigger guns. I just enjoyed watching the 5-Series being wrecked by a Browning. It appealed to my more childish side.
What freaked me out was seeing John Romain smile! That's a first

ozzy72 wrote:They did indeed state about the armament and that originally the Spits were fitted with .303s not bigger guns.

I must have missed that.

What freaked me out was seeing John Romain smile! That's a first

A very talented engineer & pilot. I took a photo of him smiling when I had a chat with him at Shoreham some years ago. Not sure I could find it now.

pete wrote:They should have had you there Doug!

I wish.

It was the emotions of the people who worked on the originals that moved me most.
We all owe a very great debt to "The few" from all nations who flew and often died in combat, but lets not forget the people that built this great Aircraft.
I didn't realise it was just one episode and was looking forward to further shows.
Bugger

Zaphod.

Blashemy, a 5 Series raped by a .50cal.............They could have used a Skoda or a Morris Marina....... but a 5 Series.........it is all I have driven since 1993...........It is only 05:30 and I need a stiff drink already

Matt

ozzy72 wrote:They did indeed state about the armament and that originally the Spits were fitted with .303s not bigger guns. I just enjoyed watching the 5-Series being wrecked by a Browning. It appealed to my more childish side.
What freaked me out was seeing John Romain smile! That's a first

Picked-up on that as well..
What I enjoyed about the show was the snippets they showed of the original factories..hard work it was.

Imagine, HYPOTHETICALLY of course, that you had the money and desire to commission one of these Spitfires, with the specific request for an original Merlin engine..
I wonder if an engine would be available from somewhere?

Jan

You can still pick them up for about £50k, used
I like the fact Guy admitted to having one in his living room, what a lads lad