G-FIRE colour still underneath

🙂 Probably but it is still cringeworthy 🙂

Indeed!

At least Spencer’s scheme was classy.

Aside from the current paint scheme, it’s interesting to see the strut inflation on the U/C legs.

Cheers

Paul

Mr Pond would probably have referred you to Mr Flack’s famous comment

🙂 Probably but it is still cringeworthy 🙂

I was fortunate enough to see the Spitfire at the Planes of Fame airshow just shortly after Bob Pond acquired it. While it is always a pleasure to see any Spitfire flying I sure do wish Mr. Pond had left it alone! It went from being one of the most beautiful of airworthy Spitfires to one of the most “cringe worthy” with the “stroke” of a paint gun. Should the airplane ever change hands again it would be a superb tribute to Mr. Flack if it were returned to his “house” colors.

Mr Pond would probably have referred you to Mr Flack’s famous comment

Excellent pics. The poor old thing can’t have flown much in the last decade?

Here is NH904 in all its current glory. These shots were taken May 2015. Luckily the visit to the Palm Springs Air Museum coincided with a function which consigned the aircraft from the hanger to the hot California outdoors. To say that she looks a little tired, would be an understatement. Given that the ownership of the aircraft is still in the hands of Bob Ponds estate, I suspect that we shouldn’t expect to see the aircraft flying any time soon, and without a fair amount of work to all systems.
The G-FIRE article by Mike Searle, is still one of the best in terms of telling the story of a restoration.Its to bad that we don’t see this sort of article in magazines more regularly.
And yes, you can see the red paint in places.

Agreed – very interesting and detailed! I hope there won’t be any objections to my posting these scans!

Great read. Thanks for posting!

They’re not going to forget it now Daz!

Everyone forgets this aircraft’s star turn in the aviation “classic” – ACES: Iron Eagle III

:eagerness:

Thanks Mothminor, appreciated.

If it’s a Good Thing for Mr. Flack to paint his Spitfire however he liked, then it’s equally a Good Thing for Mr. Pond to do the same.

Except for the matter of taste, of course.

Yes thanks for putting that up Mothminor. I realise it’s the March issue but was it 1984? Thanks

Hi Sopwith – Yes, it was 1984.

Ah, thanks for the correction Paul.

Rob

I thought G-HUNT was lost at Dunsfold together with its pilot John Davis, or am I getting my Hunters muddled?

Rob

Rob.

That Hunter was G-HHUN.

Cheers

Paul

It seems sad that G-FURY was lost in an accident and that G-HUNT is now relegated to a museum piece in fairly rough condition.

I thought G-HUNT was lost at Dunsfold together with its pilot John Davis, or am I getting my Hunters muddled?

Rob

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:rolleyes:

Yes thanks for putting that up Mothminor. I realise it’s the March issue but was it 1984? Thanks

I found a modern image on Warbirdregistry.org:

Not sure about the high-gloss blue and green finish! I’m in favour of returning the aircraft to the red paintjob. I feel that these early display warbirds are a bit like Flying Scotsman; you have to acknowledge the importance and history of them after their initial service was over.

I had a flick through the Aeroplane article when I was waiting for a train. It seems sad that G-FURY was lost in an accident and that G-HUNT is now relegated to a museum piece in fairly rough condition. G-FIRE appears to be the best of the three, albeit with that paintjob. The showman element that Spencer Flack brought to, and with, these aircraft seems to be a bit absent in modern airshows.

It’s hard in today’s age to appreciate the excitement that G-FIRE generated. A low-back Griffon Spitfire is a rarity even today, and over time it’s become my favourite airframe/engine combination.

Hear hear, that was brilliant! Detailed but not dry, engaging and with a couple of very familiar names. Thanks so much for sharing!

My thanks as well. Such a great article.

Andy