Very sad to hear tonight of the death of Bill Greenwood, a great warbird enthusiast, and long-time owner of Spitfire T9 TE308, which he operated for many years at Aspen, Colorado.
He was a high profile character on the American warbird scene for a couple of decades , and through his generosity many people got the rare chance to fly in a Spitfire at a time when only a handful of two-seaters flew, on a strictly private (non-commercial) basis. He bought it at a time when warbirds were a costly indulgence, but you did not need to be super-rich. Over time, operating costs became more and more of a stretch for ‘regular guys’, as Bill described himself.
TE308 was damaged in a runway collision in Texas in 2008, and with spiraling rebuild costs, he never got the chance to fly it again. It was sold, and returned to the UK, and now operates out of Biggin Hill, still giving rides.
Bill was for a long while a regular on WIX forum, and no doubt his friends there will pay tribute in the coming days. He will be missed by many on both sides of the Atlantic.
By: bazv - 3rd March 2021 at 11:51
On a proper/normal forum there is usually a ‘Report Post’ option LOL
By: Christer - 3rd March 2021 at 08:22
jonathanwhite112 = spammer
By: John Green - 17th January 2021 at 12:49
“…a neat aeroplane…”. That’s just about the most limp wristed accolade I’ve yet seen describing the most illustrious and iconic aircraft ever to take wing.
By: J Boyle - 16th January 2021 at 03:44
Yes, I have violated a long standing belief…not to speak ill those who are no longer with us, but I took his insult rather personally.
Please note that I have not personally insulted him, just honestly reported what he said to me and the fact he was banned from a forum.
There was no need for him to insult me (and all other veterans) in that manner, to say what he did.
If you read my 9691 posts, you’ll note I have always been well behaved, well behaved and easy to get along with.
Can you imagine the outrage here If he dared criticize a member of “the few”? I doubt if owning a Spitfire would afford him much cover here. Since he didn’t know me personally, I can only assume he disliked all former military members.
If he was old and responsible enough to pilot an aeroplane, he should be reaping enough to mind his manners.
As I indicated previously, a lot of people ignored his comments, apparently awed by him owning a warbird.
The fact he insulted me (and other veterans) for no other reason than I served my country says something about the man.
A man should be judged on his entirety…the good and the bad. I’m glad he had friends, I’m just saying there was more to him than just owning a neat aeroplane.
By: Prop Strike - 15th January 2021 at 20:04
He flew a training aircraft for recreation, maybe his ‘anti-war ‘ sentiments were heartfelt. He can no longer defend his position, whatever it was.
Anyway, that aside, a great many individuals who knew him in person ( not on a forum) held him in high regard, but as is the case with most people, there are inevitably others who hold him in rather less esteem. I did witness a few of the online skirmishes which Bill got mixed up in, and have seen similar on all forums, where things quickly get a bit too personal and intense, in a way they probably would not in ‘real life’.
Most people broadly abide by the convention not to speak ill of the dead, but you clearly feel sufficient slighted by BG that you need to make your disdain public, and have the last word.
I think a majority of friends and enthusiasts will still prefer to remember him, and his flying endeavours in a positive light.
By: J Boyle - 15th January 2021 at 14:13
He was finally banned from the WIX forum after repeatedly ignoring rules and warnings.
Upon hearing I had a career in the U.S. Air Force, he called me a “baby killer”…despite not knowing what I did in the service or when I served. Similar comments were levied at others who he disagreed with.
If his anti military sentiments were genuine, the fact that he owned a warbird and gained attention, fame, notoriety from that is a bit of irony too outrageous to go unnoticed.
I don’t know if his increasingly strident views were genuine or the result of a condition. At any rate, he was tolerated far too long…many forum members gave him the benefit of the doubt because he had a warbird (albeit non flying) and they were hugely impressed by that.
By: Mothminor - 14th December 2020 at 20:46
Sad news 🙁
Flypast ran a very nice article back in 1986 about Bill Greenwood and TE308. I hope I’m not transgressing copyright by posting it and I’ll remove it promptly if required but I think it is a fitting tribute to him.
By: Trolley Aux - 14th December 2020 at 19:26
RIP Sir
By: Zac Yates - 14th December 2020 at 00:09
Very sad news, I’d love to have seen/heard his reaction to TE308’s return to flight. I became a WIX member about five years toward the end of his time there and it was amazing to read material from an actual Spitfire owner-pilot.
Blue skies, Bill.
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December 13, 2020 at 9:32 pm