Battle of Britain 75th anniversary flypast

Posted by: Richard Dane on 15 September 2015

I was out walking the dog just after 3pm this afternoon. Walking through a field of maize and could hear the sound of aircraft engines getting closer and closer. I looked up and and right over my head flew 3 Spitfires in close formation and I think a Hurricane taking up the rear. It was a great sound and a stirring sight.

I gather that there were flights and groups of aircraft all over the south today. I hope some of you got to see and hear it.

Posted on: 17 September 2015 by Mike-B

Originally Posted by BigH47:

Interesting seeing the development, changing of supercharging pressures, new fuels (leaded, 100+ octane petrol) and an increase of to 37 litres for the Griffon +10 on the Merlins.

The Griffon makes for a fascinating read, the variable geared superchargers & tuning for low level ground attack or high altitude power.

Posted on: 17 September 2015 by MDS

Originally Posted by Phil Harris:

Originally Posted by Redmires:

Originally Posted by Phil Harris:

God I *LOVE* the sound of the old Merlins!

It's very well known that I'm a petrolhead and even in my 20's I had a 3.5l Rover V8 lump sat on the bench in my garage just so that I could start it up and listen to it but those Merlins are simply awesome and clothed in something as achingly beautiful as the Spitfire - oh man! It's a shame that something so gorgeous was built for the purpose that it was.

Phil

Agreed. What is it about the sound of the Merlin that's brings people close to tears. There's something very, very evocative about it, even though I was born 20 years after WWII. It's almost as though it's entered the gene pool and we're programmed to react to it. I was lucky enough last year to do a taxi run in the Lancaster at East Kirby, 2 merlins on either side

Here's Guy Martin running an engine in his garage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_A9m21drwY

You really do have to love the guy don't you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wkxrQOkNdc

Phil

Great video. Loved it.

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Phil Harris

...got it up to 2,500 rpm in the garage and it took off...

He's *DEFINITELY* on my "who would I like to go out for a beer with" list!

(However I suspect I'm probably not on his...)

:hehe:

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Kiwi cat

Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Originally Posted by BigH47:

P51D is another superb looking plane, also with a Merlin (Packard built), and then the Mosquito etc etc.

I agree - here is picture I took that I was really pleased with - a Spitfire and Mustang flying in close formation at one of the last Rougham airshows in Suffolk - I just wish my shutter had been slightly slower for the props

What a great photo. Truely professional. I think the props look just fine and dandy.

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Richard Dane

Just had a Catalina flying boat fly right over the house - flying very low too, doubtless to keep under the cloud.

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by k90tour2

That's rare isn't it? Never seen one.

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Richard Dane

In the UK it's a very rare sight. Having said that, I seem to recall there's one at Biggin Hill, and that is most likely the one I saw fly over this morning.

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Mike-B

The one you see flying around UK is G-PBYA & is based at Duxford

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Richard Dane

Thanks Mike. If that's the only one flying in the UK then it must have been it.

Posted on: 18 September 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi, there would appear to be two listed airworthy Consolidated PBT Catalinas in the UK, one based at North Weald Airfield, south Essex, and the other in Duxford, south Cambridgeshire as Mike describes.

Kiwi cat, thanks for the feedback.. when it comes planes and trains I am a happy snapper, less so automobiles...

Simon