Aircraft

[Diaphone Jim]

It is obviously up to the job, but the nose gear looks kinda fragile.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I had the same thought, the nose gear doesn't look strong enough to roll the airframe alone around the hangar.

[Carruthers]

Yesterday a Spitfire departed Goodwood aerodrome south of London for the first leg of a round the world trip.

WHY FLY A SPITFIRE AROUND THE WORLD?

In 2019 two intrepid aviators will attempt to fly a Silver Spitfire around the world, taking in some of the most famous landmarks on the planet from the Grand Canyon in the West to the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji in the East.

The Spitfire is a UK treasure and an emblem of freedom across the globe. The Silver Spitfire expedition will hopefully promote the ‘Best of British’ worldwide showcasing the nation’s heritage in engineering excellence, and an aircraft that changed the course of history. The Spitfire embodies not only a pinnacle in aerospace engineering and design but commemorates a generation of intrepid aviators prepared to stand up to oppression and make the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of freedom.

The expedition will reunite the Spitfire with the many countries that owe their freedom, at least in part, to this iconic aircraft. The unmistakable sight and sound of this aircraft once again gracing the skies aims to inspire future generations more than eighty years after R.J. Mitchell’s timeless design first graced the skies.

In the great tradition of exploration, we seek to challenge ourselves by setting out to complete a trip that has never been attempted. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this iconic single-engined aircraft we hope to climb “a pilot’s Everest”.

Please don't be put off by that florid prose!




The flight will have fifteen stops in the US and you can see progress on the flight tracker page.

Link

Link

[xoxoxoBruce]

Looks like stops in DC, LA and Anchorage.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Looks like stops in DC, LA and Anchorage.

Click on 'Route Map' and scroll down for details of all stops in the Lower 48.
In at Teterboro and out at Paine Field.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by Carruthers

Yesterday a Spitfire departed Goodwood aerodrome south of London for the first leg of a round the world trip.

Attachment 68436

He landed 18-20 miles north of me yesterday. It's not on the list of scheduled stops.

Link

Link to a video that doesn't want to play

[xoxoxoBruce]

Yeah, the stops were ...NJ, PA, IN, IA, NE, 3 in CO, 2 in NV, 3 in CA, OR, WA,...
I wonder if weather drove him so far south?

[Diaphone Jim]

I wonder if betting shops are taking money on when this 75 year old fighter plane and/or one of its pilots fails in some fatal fashion?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Stack 'em up...

[Diaphone Jim]

Top plane: 2 props, 2 jets, big smile?

[Diaphone Jim]

Probably should have known it is a P38 Lightning and the "jets" are turbo-chargers.
http://www.thunderace.org/images/P38/P38.jpg

It would put a smile on my face, too.

[xoxoxoBruce]

A P-38 is what got Admiral Yamamoto...



A landing gear failure...

[BigV]

That'll buff right out.

[xoxoxoBruce]

This won't, an Avenger got it's wing shot off, went into a spin taking part of the wing off this one. Two of the crew bailed and the pilot had his belt off when the plane leveled off so he headed back to the carrier. When the carrier saw him they said no way you putting that piece of shit on our deck, ditch in the ocean and we'll pull you out.

[Carruthers]

Following Bruce's post #925 (wheels up landing) I did a bit of digging.

The aircraft is a Hawker Sea Fury of the Royal Navy Historical Flight but is on the civil register as G-RNHF. The accident occurred at RNAS Culdrose in July 2014.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch issued a 143 page report which makes interesting reading.

Those of you with:

(a) an inquiring mind

(b) too much time on your hands, or

(c) both of the above

can find the report here: AAIB G-RNHF

The initial synopsis...

The aircraft was performing in a public air display at Culdrose when the pilot became aware of a significant engine vibration and then a corresponding loss of thrust.
Despite the loss of engine power the pilot was able to land the aircraft on the runway but the landing gear collapsed on touchdown, causing it to veer off the runway.
The aircraft came to a stop on the grass approximately 1,500 ft from the initial touchdown point. The pilot vacated the aircraft unaided and without injury.
The accident was a result of the loss of engine power caused by severe mechanical disruption within the ‘front row’ crankcase of the engine.
The breakup may have been caused by the failure of an articulated connecting rod wrist pin bearing, possibly due to overheating, the cause of which is not yet known.
Forensic investigation is continuing, to establish the exact cause.

There's detailed and lengthy analysis in the main report.

For those of you who haven't read the book but would like to see the film...



After an extensive restoration job the aircraft returned to the air in September 2017. Link

From the horse's mouth...