PV202/IAC161 Pics

…and

Now there is a coincidence.

On sale at the Shoreham Aerojumble this past weekend – a pair of cowlings from an IAC Seafire III number 157.

The peeling top coat appears to be RAF cockpit ‘Grey Green’. The original coat, exposed by the photographer, a brighter hue of, for want of a better name, – ‘Irish green’.

They have found a welcome home with a Spitfire Mk V project.

Mark

The photos are excellent and I can’t wait to see this aircraft back where it belongs. I particularly like the retention of the “proper” rear canopy and cockpit – as good as the “Grace Hood” looks it is after all “wrong” in historic terms so it’s good to have at least some examples with the “right” hood. There was a point where it seemed all the T versions were destined to get revamped, which would have been a shame from a purist’s POV. It’s also good to see an alternative from the usual green/grey/C type roundels scheme.

On the vexed issue of the recent history of this machine, I agree for some people it will be hard to take, but I take the view that the guys who died were passionate Spitfire lovers and the best way to commemorate them is for the aircraft they loved to take wing and with it, take their spirits into the burning blue.

Its a pleasure Chris. Now we both can sleep well!:D

lol, thanks for that Stieglitz, i can sleep easier now!
I look forward to it’s completion, seems like it’s gonna be a winner for sure. 🙂

Re: mistake?

Originally posted by Chris Broad
The Aeroplane heaven model looks absolutely stunning. BUT. Has anyone else noticed that they seem to have built it (a Tr Mk.9) with the smaller oil cooler commonly found on the earlier marque Spitfires.

http://www.aeroplaneheaven.com/images/HFLIMAGES/simshots/010.jpg

Seems such a silly mistake especially as they have direct access with the full size restoration.

Perhaps someone should tell them that their virtual merlin is gonna boil! :p :p

I have send a mail to let Aeroplane Heaven know about your deepest concerns:D 😀 .

This was the reply:
————————————————————————————
Hello

The sim model that you refer to is being built in such a way that the
outer areas ( the easiest areas of the spitfire ) are to be done last.
The HFL blokes are looking at the model with a fine toothed comb and
pointing out little discrepancies. The sim version is going to be
exactly the same as the restored version have no fears on that. It is
why the model is taking a lot more time than some of our other projects.

We do know about some of the discrepancies on the sim model. Thankfully
you haven’t picked up any of the other little areas that need tweaking.
The HFL guys have though! All of them are to be worked out by the time
that the model is finally sent to HFL for final approval. Hope you got a
good computer system as we have upped the detail quite a bit and it
therefore needs a better than average computer to run.

Happy Flying

The Aeroplane Heaven Team
————————————————————————————

So sleep tight. I believe the model will look as real as possible.

Greets,

J.V.

Can’t wait to see it her fly, looks stunning.

With regard to the ‘ill feeling’ sentiments I think that if an aircraft problem had directly led to the crash then it probably would not had been rebuilt; RR Spit and various Sea Furies including Paul Morgans. Sadly it was a pilot error that resulted in the accident. To get it flying once again is the best form of tribute.

Thanks Mark 12,
I can’t put a name to you! I had and still have many great friends in UK. Please put me out of my misery! The question of the colour shade promps me to say that the Seafire colour scheme was matt finish and as a result of their service at Gormanston, being so near the sea the colour was inclined to fade. The Spitfires were in a gloss finish defined as Grey Green, which was misleading and as far as I can see from the photos is far too light for the Spitfires. I was present at Baldonnel when Spitfire 163 left for England and recall it from many visits in the hangar prior to it’s departure. I too have a panel from one of the Seafires and is very definately a lighter colour than the Spitfire.

Great to hear Graham Skillen mentioned please give my best regards to him the next time that you are in touch. I think the photo of 161 which you attached is one of Grahams and not from my old friend the late Jim Masterson.
Kind regards
Tony K

I know it’s poor quality but after seeing the thread about what’s hanging on your wall, this is the only aircraft picture i have hanging.
It’s as she was when owned by Charles Church.

Irish Air Corps

Welcome Tony,

It must be 25 years since we corresponded on things Irish Air Corps.

Between us, Graham Skillen and myself have several chunks of both Tr. IX and Seafire structure with the original green on and these were submitted for colour match by HFL.

It has transpired, in my opinion, during the course of this study that there were actually two ‘Greens’: the original ‘Seafire Green’ painted in Ireland and the Vickers ‘Trainer IX Green’, an interpretation of that. When the Trainer IXs were repainted latterly with the three colour Celtic boss, I believe the ‘Seafire Green’ was used. At that time of course a couple of the Tr.IXs were painted all over silver.

Graham has some magnificent slides of both the the Trainers and the Seafire wrecks at Baldonnel – and perhaps for a later date they can be aired.

Mark

Photo credit: The late Jim Masterson

PV202/IAC 161

Nice to see the Spitfire rebuild, The colour green does not look to be the correct shade as I remember it. Perhaps it is due to the fact that they are indoor shots.
Tony K

“SteveYoung wrote:
Rob, I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but I’ve got mixed feelings about this one. Yes, it looks fabulous, and yes I’m sure it’s been restored to the same exacting standards that all HFL’s birds have. But less than four years ago it crashed fatally. It’s just not something I’m entirely comfortable with.”

I’m in agreement with Steve here,the machine does evoke mixed emotions for me.That said,I believe the relatives of those killed gave thier blessing to the rebuild before it was undertaken and to my mind it is the berieved relatives who should have the final say.If they’ve said she should fly,then she should fly.

mistake?

The Aeroplane heaven model looks absolutely stunning. BUT. Has anyone else noticed that they seem to have built it (a Tr Mk.9) with the smaller oil cooler commonly found on the earlier marque Spitfires.

http://www.aeroplaneheaven.com/images/HFLIMAGES/simshots/010.jpg

Seems such a silly mistake especially as they have direct access with the full size restoration.

Perhaps someone should tell them that their virtual merlin is gonna boil! :p :p

Great to see a Spitfire restored in something other than WW2 camouflage. The Spitfire’s history extends beyond WW2 and it’s good to see this recognised. Would be nice to see MH434 return to its blue/white/silver scheme as G-ASJV again:rolleyes:

Roll on her first flight! 🙂

I am waiting for some months to see the release of this plane. It looks fantastic. Hopfully, the flightcharacteristics are as realistic as they promis. I can’t wait to fly this one in FS2004.:D

Of course it will also be nice to see the real PV202 back in the air.:cool:
Even with the tragic accident a few years ago, this plane wil be a lovely flying machine. It is a new start. When you see it in the air, you could think about it as a tribute tho those men who lost their lives in the crash. Their loss was very sad, but life and warbird-flying (their passion) must go on.

Originally posted by SteveYoung
Rob, I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but I’ve got mixed feelings about this one. Yes, it looks fabulous, and yes I’m sure it’s been restored to the same exacting standards that all HFL’s birds have. But less than four years ago it crashed fatally. It’s just not something I’m entirely comfortable with.

I feel the same as you sadly,This will be the first aircraft i have seen fly again after a fatal accident and i will be very uneasy seeing her in the Air again,She does look great and will be one of the star spitfires on the curcuit in such a different paint scheme but its just the thought of what happened in that Aircraft in 2 men losing there lives that i have difficulty with.

Rob, I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but I’ve got mixed feelings about this one. Yes, it looks fabulous, and yes I’m sure it’s been restored to the same exacting standards that all HFL’s birds have. But less than four years ago it crashed fatally. It’s just not something I’m entirely comfortable with.