Spitfire XIX and more...

[C]

Rumour has it (Aeroplane magazine - normally reliable) that some French chappie has snapped up this little beauty, and will be bringing it back to Europe quite soon...

Nice to see one coming East for a change...



Also,just as an aside, its rumoured that CWH's Lancaster may be making the Atlantic trip as well for a summer tour to coincide with the V-E/J Day commemerations...

Charlie

(of course, now I've done the second paragraph its not aircraft specific any more is it. Suppose a mod'll move it and smother me with marmalade )

[ozzy72]

I've heard the Spit rumours myself.... and as its about a superb plane I think we can skip the sticky orange stuff this time

[Hagar]

Rumour has it (Aeroplane magazine - normally reliable) that some French chappie has snapped up this little beauty, and will be bringing it back to Europe quite soon...

Also,just as an aside, its rumoured that CWH's Lancaster may be making the Atlantic trip as well for a summer tour to coincide with the V-E/J Day commemerations...

I have a feeling that we're in for an exceptional air display season. I'm looking forward to it.

[SilverFox441]

I'm insanely jealous!

Just the thought of a formation (ie. more than one) of Lancasters flying overhead is enough to send chills down my spine.

[HawkerTempest5]

It would be nice to see that PRXIX on the line up at Legends this year. Interesting looking thing with that Shakleton contra prop and clipped wings (I understand it only has clipped wings because the guy who rebuilt it could not fit it into the hanger space he had with full span wings.)  There was a rumour that the Lanc was coming over a few years back but it came to nothing. Would be great to see two Lancs flying together, or even just on the same program, but I doubt it will happen, shame.

[Omag 2.0]

Is that the original colour? Look's a bit... hmmm... well... ugly to me. I could understand it if this type was linked to the navy for example. But anywhere else it would stick out, isn't it? Or am I seeing this wrong again?

And what is the benefit of 2 contra-rotating propellors? Does is eliminate the tendancy to be pulled towards one direction cause ot the torque, or is it simply a power-matter?

[Hagar]

It's PR Blue Omag. Not sure if the shade is authentic but it's a lot better than that 'orrible PR Pink. PR = photo-reconnaisance.

This isn't the original prop. From what Tempest says it's from an Avro Shackelton which was fitted with the Griffon. I'm not sure how authentic this one is. The contra-rotation does have the benefit of cancelling out torque.

PS. A nice shot of the same Spitfire & other warbirds here. http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Chino2004/Sampler/
From the caption it's fitted with the Shackleton engine as well as the prop.

[HawkerTempest5]

Several PRXIXs are fitted with Shakleton Griffons (BBMF and Rolls Royce) but this is the only one with a contra prop. It is supposed to be a very fast aeroplane. The PRU blue looks a shade too light, but I have seen at least three shades said to be PRU blue so who knows.

[Omag 2.0]

Photoreconaissance = taking shots of enemy installations and positions during war times right? So the blue i understand, but PR PINK? Isn't the whole idea to take the shots unnoticed by the oposit side?

Thanks for putting up with my silly questions, but as you know, I am learning, I am not the expert quite yet...  ;)

[Hagar]

Yes Omag, pink. Apparently this was more effective camouflage than any other colour. I took a photo of the Real Aviation Company pink PR XI PL965 at Shoreham but I can't find it right now. Here's one I found posted on the web. Ghastly ain't it?

The D-Day stripes seem to defeat the whole object of camouflaging it in the first place.

Thankfully, following a trip to the US, it's now back home & with a brand spanking new PR Blue paint job.


Much better.

[quote]Thanks for putting up with my silly questions, but as you know, I am learning, I am not the expert quite yet...

[C]

The PR blue on the clipped, twin propped super duper XIX is a shade light - probably because the owner like the colour and it stands out a bit. As for the clipped wings and contra props - I think the answer is a town in Nevada that rhymes (sort of) with "Nemo", although I'm not sure it ever raced there...

As for the PR pink, on the RAC Spit it's pinker than the original, which is more of an off white, but again, looks nice for the airshows (how many young girls would love the little pink aeroplane...)

Charlie

[Ivan]

PR Pink...
was it based in Africa?

[Hagar]

PR Pink...
was it based in Africa?

I think it was used in all theatres after a certain date.

After the fall of France, photographic reconnaissance came under the control of Coastal Command, using types including Spitfires, Wellingtons and Hudsons. The duck-egg blue camouflage gave way to deeper PR blue for high-altitude operations and a pale pink for low level work.
http://www.deltaweb.co.uk/spitfire/survival.htm

I notice that PL965 has a new owner - Peter Teichman got the Spitfire he was after.

16/10/04 Spitfire PR XI moves home

The Real Aeroplane Company's Spitfire PR Mk XI PL965 has recently been sold to warbird collector Peter Teichman. The rare PR Spitfire returned to Breighton earlier this year after a spell at Leeward Florida. The aircraft made its last display flight in RACo hands on August 22nd Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire. PL965 was flown down to her new home at North Weald on September 8th by Lee Proudfoot.

Peter Teichman has three historic aircraft in his collection, the others being P-51D Mustang "Jumpin Jacques", and the Beech Staggerwing formerly owned by David Gilmour of Intrepid Aviation. Peter has recently build a new hangar on the North side of North Weald to house his growing collection.
http://www.ukwarbirds.fsnet.co.uk/news.html

[C]

PR Pink...
was it based in Africa?

The only place I've seen pink SPits was in the european theatre, being used for low level recce work....

I notice that PL965 has a new owner - Peter Teichman got the Spitfire he was after

What a relief - I'm was never sure of the true motives of the 2 year stay in the US - I thought we might lose another Spit across the pond...

Charlie