2-seat Spitfire G-AIDN race #99 (Zombie thread from 2004)

The picture of G-AIDN was probably taken from the Airspeed Oxford belonging to SKYFAME not Airframe as quoted. The Spit joined the Anson and Oxford over Staverton in what was called the Skyfame Flypast at the conclusion of their airshow in 1967 (or possibly 1968 or both).

Yes, this is my photo taken out of Staverton on 31st March 1968 from Skyfame’s Airspeed Oxford V3388/G-AHTW which now resides at Duxford.

Following an old thread

Lovely.

At first I thought the shot was taken from a Ju52 , but second guess would be an Oxbox, so Airfame’s machine…

Wonder if Albert Ross or Mark 12 can add anything?

The picture of G-AIDN was probably taken from the Airspeed Oxford belonging to SKYFAME not Airframe as quoted. The Spit joined the Anson and Oxford over Staverton in what was called the Skyfame Flypast at the conclusion of their airshow in 1967 (or possibly 1968 or both).

I was delighted to see the photograph of the Skyfame formation as I was flying the Anson. John Cole, who replaced me as CFI of the Cotswold Aero Club, was flying the Oxford.
It was quite hard work as John and I were operating at almost full throttle while John Fairey was worrying about coolant temperatures as he had to keep IDN’s speed low.
Happy memories! I think I was the last pilot to fly the Oxford as I was checked out on it just before it was grounded for glue deterioration.

Delighted to hear from you Malcolm and to have a phone call from John Fairey recalling wonderful memories of G-AIDN, his Fairey Flycatcher replica, Gannets and the Rotodyne!

Flight status

From information received from a friend a mine a while ago was that she had been sitting still needing a new prop for the past two years. I do not now if this has been done recently or not… I did see a photo with the prop off at one time but I am unaware of it’s current status. Even if currently airworthy, I understand she didn’t fly much before needing the prop anyway.

Neil Medcalf

Is she flown much?

MT818 now

G-AIDN is with Jack Erickson at the Tillamook NAS Musuem in Tillamook Oregan. See here for photos..
MT818 – G-AIDN

Neil Medcalf

Does anyone know where G-AIDN is now?

G-AIDN

I was delighted to see the photograph of the Skyfame formation as I was flying the Anson. John Cole, who replaced me as CFI of the Cotswold Aero Club, was flying the Oxford.
It was quite hard work as John and I were operating at almost full throttle while John Fairey was worrying about coolant temperatures as he had to keep IDN’s speed low.
Happy memories! I think I was the last pilot to fly the Oxford as I was checked out on it just before it was grounded for glue deterioration.

G-AIDN

I was delighted to see the photograph of the Skyfame formation as I was flying the Anson. John Cole, who replaced me as CFI of the Cotswold Aero Club, was flying the Oxford.
It was quite hard work as John and I were operating at almost full throttle while John Fairey was worrying about coolant temperatures as he had to keep IDN’s speed low.
Happy memories!

Dan,

From memory that is a shot by Budd Davison/Flying magazine circa 1971/2.

Mark

Nice one, Dan 🙂

Took me forever to find it but I found my first Spitfire ‘pin up’ from my Freshman days in college. I have no idea who took the photo or even what flying magazine I found it in so apologies to the copyright watchers.

It was posted on the bulletin board above my desk in my dorm room in college for me to look at while I avoided homework and dreamed of flying.

It suffered the ravages of my room mate throwing his knife at it etc and is faded with time.

But it’s a beaut, even if the paint scheme is wrong etc. Good old TE308 from it’s Don Plumb days.

Dan

Does anyone know when MT818 last flew?? The caption at the bottom of the picture I posted (of the Spit in her G-M markings) says 1998…??

Thanks Merlin 70. We will need to look out for that crank case. I hope they can fix the problem in time to see her fly this year. I can’t wait to see her! 🙂

J.V.

Mark12, I can’t be certain after all these years, (the little grey cells fail with time), but neither of those registrations ring bells.
Around that time I had the only copy of the Ian Allan reg book I’ve ever had but whether it’s still about to check, I don’t know.

Cracking shot.

I suspect that the problem encountered with the engine on 161 during ground running has resulted in the requirement for a replacement crank case.

If, as has been reported, the crank case cracked under temperature stress fracture conditions around a main journal, this is unlikely to be in an area where a welding repair could be considered.

Mark

Ah OK, so it’s a different crankcase, thanks for that, I’m easily confused on a Friday.

Large parts of IAC161’s engine were on show during the open day. Shown at rear of photo identified with red arrows, and also in the photos posted before.

The green arrow points to a static display engine. Below where the arrow points is the section of engine that is awaited for IAC161.

Is that not the Crankcase in the first picture or is that from another engine?

Talking about IAC161? Does anyone know the latest on the project? Has the merlin returned from the USA? How is the restoration proceeding? I am looking out for some good news on this aircraft.

Thanks
J.V.

‘161 as seen in June during HFL/ARC open day. Not yet heard that the crank case has returned to DX.