Spitfire TVIII G-AIDN/MT818

I have just re-read John Isaac’s marvellous account of collecting this aeroplane as a passenger with ‘The Patron’ when Vickers gave it to the Hampshire Aeroplane Club. On the climb out from Chilbolton the engine quit when the fuel **** was confused with the undercarriage control. Without an intercom John was completely oblivious to the cause of the problem and spent the flight back to Southampton wondering if the engine would stop again. I think there were only a few airworthy Spitfires in those days (1956) and even fewer in private ownership, so it was as big an adventure then as it would be now.
There are probably not many copies of John’s book ‘An Aeroplane Affair’ around but it is an excellent read if you can find one.

If i recall, MT818’s Packard Merlin was to be removed and replaced with the Brit version.

MT818 was fitted with a Merlin 76 in 1959 and this was the engine still installed when acquired by the current owner (330 hours total time, 31 since a top-overhaul was carried out in 1966).

The Merlin 66 fitted on 2 June 1947, and removed by Viv Bellamy in 1959, has been acquired and it is intended that this engine will power MT818 when it flies again.

Was this the machine that Leonard Cheshire used to fly when he was involved with Vickers at Predannack!!.
If so it would have been one of the last (if not the last) aircraft he was involved with.

Yes

If i recall, MT818’s Packard Merlin was to be removed and replaced with the Brit version.

DN

Was this the machine that Leonard Cheshire used to fly when he was involved with Vickers at Predannack!!.
If so it would have been one of the last (if not the last) aircraft he was involved with.

Was’nt their a engine change involved with MT818 since import at Kemble ??

And what about MJ772, when did this one last fly ??

Can’t understand why it is taking so long to get her flying again?

To overhaul a Spitfire that has not flown in a significant number of years (and in the UK to CAA requirements) takes a considerable amount of time, money and effort. Engine and prop overhauls will be needed, not to mention all the systems and instuments etc. I assumed it would be at least two years work once it arrived in the UK and got underway – these things take time and they have to be right.

I saw the prototype of the book on Friday at DX, thanks to Mk12.

Ah – the ‘Holy Grail’….

I’ve definitely seen a photo of it airborne (with the G-M markings on the fuselage), but I’ve no idea where the pic was taken…

Has it actually flown since the wheels up landing in 1978 (ish). I know it had some repair work done in America but did it fly over there?

Ok, ‘not so recent months’ then…time does fly!

It’s the two-seater Mk.VIII Spitfire, the only one built. She was imported back from the States in recent months, but things have gone a little quiet.

Time flies.. ‘ recent months’? Actually 2008 and it has been at Kemble all this time, until being moved to Booker last year. Can’t understand why it is taking so long to get her flying again?

Looking forward to it, too.

As Roobarb says…..superb. I had a peek at it, too, at Duxford on Friday.

Roll on February. Of course, for those of you who have not secured a copy by then, it may well be available at the Shoreham Aerojumble on 26 March.

But you will need to watch this space (or another space on this forum!) for news on that! 😉

I saw the prototype of the book on Friday at DX, thanks to Mk12. You will not be disappointed for your money. It weighs about the same as a house brick! The paper quality is superb, as are the reproductions of original photographic material.

Fantastic ,look forward to it in February.Thank you Roobarb.

Behold… I have seen “The Book”!!!

Many thanks for the update, still eagerly awaiting ‘the book’

I saw the prototype of the book on Friday at DX, thanks to Mk12. You will not be disappointed for your money. It weighs about the same as a house brick! The paper quality is superb, as are the reproductions of original photographic material.

Many thanks for the update, still eagerly awaiting ‘the book’

TD314. South Africa, Canada, UK.

TD135. Upperhill, USA, Belgium.

Thanks Mark 12,I always get those two mixed up,for some reason.

…..nice beaver.

To explain why I mentioned C-FPBJ. Yes C-FPBJ is now a Beaver. In 2004 it was my 1946 SGU-2-22 glider that I now have registered as N2202. We flew it yesterday and my 14 year old son is to do his first solo in it in the morning. You can see a picture of it on the last page of the “wot plane is that” thread. I was trying to show how frustrating it gets when you have to read the whole thread and then search the internet with a number just to see if the thread is about something you care about or not. Thanks for hearing me out. I’m really enjoying this sight. Sorry for the slight hijack.

not every one is in to spitfires !!

They shall be converted:)

Any way, getting back on thread has anyone latest info on Spitfire MK VIII, G-ADIN , aka MT818. Is the grape vine right about it being sold ?

Steve.