historic aircraft collection

You’re right Ewan. It would be wrong if we don’t mention the other projects of HAC. They are indeed all very exciting! 😎

J.V.

Not only the first flight of the Yak-1 after restoration, but the Hawker Nimrod II and the Bristol F2b Fighter should both fly in 2005..

Looks like a good year for HAC coming up

Eagerly awaiting the ff of the Yak.

I don’t think you’re the only one here. The return of such a type of aircraft with a Klimov engine will make our harts beat faster. 🙂

J.V.

Eagerly awaiting the ff of the Yak.

There’s a somewhat potted history of BM597’s activity with 317 Squadron in “Spitfire MkV In Action”.

From the website

“The combat veteran Spitfire Mk.Vb BM597 was built at Castle Bromwich and delivered on 26th April 1942. It served with 315 and 317 (Polish) Squadrons RAF at Woodvale before sustaining damage whilst landing on 13th February 1943. It was repaired, but is thought to have seen no further action.”

So the fact that it served with both 315 and 317 (Polish) Squadrons does not make it a combat veteran?

Maybe what you mean is that it didn’t get any kills.

Seeing combat and actually getting kills are two different things.

Just my take on things!

It actually sustained damage on “take off”, while being flown by a pilot from No 3 Delivery Flight, the engine failed and it hit uneven ground.

As to combat history, I’ve done a reasonable amount of research into this particular aircraft and have a large collection of photographs of her through various stages of her life. She did a number of operational sorties in and around the Mersey area, whether she actually fired her guns in anger is open to debate, I have found no record of it, “so far”.

Thanks for the steer Trevs – a very interesting and well laid out website, I think.

One comment on the text, as far as I am aware their Spitfire Vb BM597 is not a “combat” veteran !!!!

From the website

“The combat veteran Spitfire Mk.Vb BM597 was built at Castle Bromwich and delivered on 26th April 1942. It served with 315 and 317 (Polish) Squadrons RAF at Woodvale before sustaining damage whilst landing on 13th February 1943. It was repaired, but is thought to have seen no further action.”

So the fact that it served with both 315 and 317 (Polish) Squadrons does not make it a combat veteran?

Maybe what you mean is that it didn’t get any kills.

Seeing combat and actually getting kills are two different things.

Just my take on things!

One comment on the text, as far as I am aware their Spitfire Vb BM597 is not a “combat” veteran !!!!