Try 100 landings!
Pintlel bolts out and off for crack testing and alignment check – as with all things Spitfire not a cheap operation.

who was flying RW386?

Tatenhill – not seen a WW2 style tower despite several visits, current tower is a ‘modern’ unit alongside the hanger sited on part of the old peri track.
Newtonards – didnt see a WW2 style hanger in 2005, current tower is a box on legs near the current GA hangers.
Campbeltown – dont believe the WW2 hanger still exists as a lot of the period on-site buildings were removed during the expansion – current tower is modern unit and whilst standing in it last year I didnt notice a typical WW2 tower on the airfield.
Culdrose – I think there are a number of ‘towers’ here over the years- 3 rings a bell however the original is still there Im led to believe although greatly changed in shape and use.

There were 21 on each of the days in the Sept 2000 event. It was nearly 22 but on the Sat the Dutch Spitfire turned up late due to poor weather conditions over the sea, missed the briefing and wasnt allowed to take part and on the Sunday the BBMF were down to 4 aircraft (believe due to ‘sick’ pilot?) so whilst the Dutch Spit was in it was still “only” 21. Intresingly it could of been even more as a few due to come were un-servicable on the weekend.
The BBMF were in their own box, if memory serves correct they played ‘jokers’ whilst the main formation formed up and then joined at the back of the formation on the run in.
My main memory of the day was standing on the flight line watch row after row of Spitfires taking off accross bone dry grass on a blue, boiling hot day and thinking that this is the closest I’ll ever get to a Battle of Brittain style scramble – amazing. Getting everyone down after was intresting as well!

Hi Goof, Im sure your comments will have intrested the CAA who monitor all the flying forums for intresting information that various people provide.

The CAA have recently written to all Permit to Fly aircraft owners bringing to their attention the ANO with comment that Membership to clubs that then offer a free flight is seen for what it is – payment for a flight. There was also an operator from a few years ago offering VERY expensive T shirts, and guess what if you bought one, out of kindness he then gave you a free flight! That was soon stopped, not by the CAA I believe but by the Office of Fair Trading who, allegedly received a tip off from a flying organisation (!).

The ex-militry aircraft are PtoF for a reason, Spitfires for example were not built to last for years or act as joy ride machines, although they are maintained to the highest of standards things do go wrong with them and if a “pasenger” was injured in one or (heaven forbid) killed in one then it would be front page news (remember PV202?) and as commented on earlier once the UK justice system gets working on it you have no idea where it will end.

Jannie, how long did it take you to get to 10,000ft in your Chippy?!!!

I deceided life was to short at 7500ft (well I am older than you!), made a mental note that I needed an aircraft with a bit more grunt – hence time in Harvard!

Dont believe they are! Could be another operator of a similar shaped aircraft may be intrested – may need to get a different set of green and gray paint though!