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3 just flew over in formation. What a sight and what a sound. We used to live near Biggin Hill so I grew up often seeing the Battle of Britain Memorial flight pass by. We now live on their flight path in East Kent and most days a Spitfire flies over. There has been more activity recently probably due to the 80 anniversary of the battle.
Such an iconic aircraft. There are some planes that make you just stop and stare. Concord and the Vulcan bomber are two others that had the wow factor.
A few years ago we rented a cottage right by a Leeds Castle and witness close up a wonderful flying display by a Spitfire and a Mustang (that had the same Merlin engine). In those days you could fly lower to the crowd in displays and they seem to pass just feet over our rooftop. Awesome.
Most of the RR Merlin engines were used in the Lancaster bombers with 4 in each.
I recently had an original 1941-dated RR Merlin engine service & maintenance manual with RAF base stamps throughout. Wonderful old item of wartime ephemera... fully complete and with oily fingerprints throughout!
Most of the RR Merlin engines were used in the Lancaster bombers with 4 in each.
I recently had an original 1941-dated RR Merlin engine service & maintenance manual with RAF base stamps throughout. Wonderful old item of wartime ephemera... fully complete and with oily fingerprints throughout!
We usually focus, quite rightly, on the bravely of the men and women who participated in these conflicts, but it is easy to neglect the technical side of things. You need raw courage and bravery, you also need quality equipment and 1st class logistical back up. There was a programme on recently about a lady who sorted out a carburettor prom on those engines which prevented them from stalling in a steep dive. It’s things like that that make a difference when fine margins are in place.
A few miles SE of Ashford on the edge of Romney Marsh. There were a few American airbases built here in 1944 in the build up to D Day and much of the Battle if Britain was fought over these skies. It is quite emotional watching the Spitfires fly back and forth. One pilot did a victory roll over the village a few weeks ago, gave me goosebumps.
A few miles SE of Ashford on the edge of Romney Marsh. There were a few American airbases built here in 1944 in the build up to D Day and much of the Battle if Britain was fought over these skies. It is quite emotional watching the Spitfires fly back and forth. One pilot did a victory roll over the village a few weeks ago, gave me goosebumps.
I was born and grew up in Medway. I well remember the filming of the "Battle of Britain' over the Kent skies for weeks mostly while I was at school. I know the whole county very well.
We usually focus, quite rightly, on the bravely of the men and women who participated in these conflicts, but it is easy to neglect the technical side of things. You need raw courage and bravery, you also need quality equipment and 1st class logistical back up. There was a programme on recently about a lady who sorted out a carburettor prom on those engines which prevented them from stalling in a steep dive. It’s things like that that make a difference when fine margins are in place.
Yeah, I've just been reading all about the development of 'The Rose Turret' which was fitted into Lancaster bombers in WWII. I obtained a wartime Rose Bros factory workers' badge yesterday who designed & built the turret. All interesting stuff for us military dealers & you really do learn something new every day!
Yeah, I've just been reading all about the development of 'The Rose Turret' which was fitted into Lancaster bombers in WWII. I obtained a wartime Rose Bros factory workers' badge yesterday who designed & built the turret. All interesting stuff for us military dealers & you really do learn something new every day!
I was born and grew up in Medway. I well remember the filming of the "Battle of Britain' over the Kent skies for weeks mostly while I was at school. I know the whole county very well.
Yeah, I've just been reading all about the development of 'The Rose Turret' which was fitted into Lancaster bombers in WWII. I obtained a wartime Rose Bros factory workers' badge yesterday who designed & built the turret. All interesting stuff for us military dealers & you really do learn something new every day!
Watched Antiques Roadshow special last night on the B of B (not quite 90's punk bands I know) and one highlight while going through the bravery of the Spitfire and Hurricane "teams" in the sky and on the ground, there was also mention of a 3rd place in that class based on the Spitfire but with a rear facing gun turret behind the pilot purely to have a go at the bombers
Had never heard of it, and now can't remember what it was called (I've slept since last night), but not very successful as the enemy soon worked out their weakness - couldn't fire forward - and only 1 survives
Not a mechanical story but another interesting snippet
Watched Antiques Roadshow special last night on the B of B (not quite 90's punk bands I know) and one highlight while going through the bravery of the Spitfire and Hurricane "teams" in the sky and on the ground, there was also mention of a 3rd place in that class based on the Spitfire but with a rear facing gun turret behind the pilot purely to have a go at the bombers
Had never heard of it, and now can't remember what it was called (I've slept since last night), but not very successful as the enemy soon worked out their weakness - couldn't fire forward - and only 1 survives
Not a mechanical story but another interesting snippet
I had an Airfix model of a Defiant which had a rear facing turret. Strange no wing mounted forward firing guns.
Once they realised their limitations during the day, they sent them up as nightfighters where they proved to be much more effective in shooting down the bombers.
Once they realised their limitations during the day, they sent them up as nightfighters where they proved to be much more effective in shooting down the bombers.
[Post edited 16 Sep 2020 9:30]
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's off with her head
Exactly what the OP said. I was out walking in Essex last week and a Spitfire and Hurricane flew over head and all the walkers scattered around various fields stopped to look.
Exactly what the OP said. I was out walking in Essex last week and a Spitfire and Hurricane flew over head and all the walkers scattered around various fields stopped to look.
one way to deal with all those small boats crossing the Channel
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's off with her head
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