top side pics of G-FIRE?

Thanks Steve for putting me straight.

Elstree was never a bomber “base”, but it used to receive Wellingtons for overhaul during the war, and in the early post-war years at least one Bond Air Services (no relation!) Halifax flew in and then mouldered away in a quiet corner.

Originally posted by Janie

Yak11Fan: What aeroplane were you flying over in then?
:p

The one that was flying number 2 in the formation :p

I remember being told that Elstree used to be a bomber base, so I hope the runway was longer than it’s current 655 metres.

Yak11Fan: What aeroplane were you flying over in then?
:p

There was some mention of the Elstree book in this month’s A*roplane – with some niiiiice shots of MH434 in her ‘civvies’ 🙂

I once saw an electric model of said Spitfire in these markings – looked the biz!

Yes that is where the Sea Fury and Spitfire were based. The Hunter was restored there and had it’s 1st flight from there but i think it was based at Cranfield from then on. He used to stop the Sea Fury with ease in less than half the runway, and also found the Sea Fury easier to fly than the Spitfire. As far as i’m aware Elstree has has no real changes since the war. But i’ll find out soon as there is a book on Elstree just been released.

Mark12

Thanks for that, I was refering to Elstree in general as I understand this is where Spencer based his aircraft at one point.

Yak 11 Fan,

Not claimed to be Elstree – just the cover of the Elstree Flying Club dinner menu and order of proceedings.

Mark

Just to change the subject slightly, has Elstree changed in the last 20 years or so? It looked a bit short with some trees at at least one of it’s ends when I flew over today.

Except that Flymo’s are orange !!, just a small point but worth mentioning:D

Now we know where FLY-Mo got the idea of a red mower

Nice one, Chad!

What is it with Spencer’s aircraft and going backwards? The chocks on G-FURY?!?

Davski, here is one I found of G-FURY while searching for pictures of G-FIRE.

A little Spencer story to amuse.

When Spencer had his almighty prang in the Seafury, my wife and I went to visit him in hospital a few days after the event. Arriving later then planned, having gone to the wrong hospital, he immediately accused me of side-tracking to pick up some Spitfire spares, so he was obviously on the mend.

His room at the hospital was festooned with cards from well wishers, local school children, the lot, but one particularly caught my eye. On the front of the card was a Poloroid photo of one of his Elstree employees poking at the still smoking remains of the centre section of the Seafury. A ‘speech bubble’ had been added which read :-

“His wallet must be in here somewhere!”

Mark

Can’t resist a caption to Mark V’s first pic (the guys pusing the tailplane)

“OK – trust me – it’s only a Griffon, so when he get’s it fired up we’ll still be able to push it back into the hanger. You’re all still with me aren’t you lads – lads?”

G-FIRE was actually displayed at the Manchester Airshow – anyone who knows Barton will know how exciting the landing must have been!
Not enough info’ knocking around about Spencer’s acheivements. I’ve a superb picture of G-FURY which was given to me by the Scarlet Squadron’s former Op’s manager… can’t remember who took it so I can’t really post it. Any other’s lurking out there…?

Ah back when they were flown properly.

“Those ants look just like people!!!”

Flood.

Originally posted by SteveYoung
Strewth!!!

😮

Thanks for putting that into words for me, I couldn’t think of anything to reply to that pic that wouldn’t get me banned from the forum