G-AOBX was operated by Leisure Sport on floats in 1977, to accompany the S5 replica, and the reproduction WW1 fleet. It wore military colours, but is now in a civi yellow scheme, and has been on wheels for many years.

Peter, spent the day at CWH, my pal the mantainence engineer says she will be ready for flying season, typical winter work being performed, as far as blades go looks like they can get them ok but will need some coin to “buy” a few, of course any donations would be great, cheers Darrell

In the scheme of things, that’s not much to raise (ie £55,000 ) given the public enthusiasm for the aeroplane. Perhaps they have been Dr Plemming’s ‘Guide to Bomber Fund Raising’. If so, they will be back next month wanting new engines.

there was only 1 spitfire flying but there was 2 dutch painted ones in area 51.

curlyboy

There was one flying (in Dutch colours, as per pics) and 2 (other?) Dutch painted one? Or did one of the two in ‘Area 51’ then buzz off flying?

Or, in simple terms.

ARE-THERE-THREE-AIRWORTHY-TWO-SEAT-SPITS-CURRENTLY-IN-THIS-DUTCH-COLOUR-SCHEME?

Jeez, 12 posts in and it is still unclear :confused:

Posted on the Hangar 11 website.
”
Hi mates

just a brief note to say that I am absolutely fine after yesterdays upsetting incident in the new Hurri Bomber 🙁

In short I took my first flight after her 3 year restoration this morning after several days of weather related delays. The flight involved a departure to the East and transit to the Black Water where I had loads of fun , looping and gently aerobating this wonderful old lady around the sunny Essex skies.

After stalls, low speed manoeuvres and getting comfortable with the flight envelope and flying characteristics, I returned to Weald; couple of passes for the snappers and then break into a left hand circuit to land. Gear came down snappily , flaps, downwind checks all text book as was the following curving approach to runway 20 in a light westerly wind.

The speed was spot on as was the 3 point touchdown right on the numbers.

Sadly at that point, just as the main wheels touched I knew I had a big problem as the brakes appeared to be stuck on causing the aircraft to lurch forward and in spite of my best efforts to keep the stick back and wrestle the controls, she gently nosed over and came to rest on the prop.

Thankfully I had landed at the minimum speed commensurate with a 3 pointer and was carrying the least forward momentum, otherwise she may well have flipped over with obvious consequences. Clearly we had a mechanical failure associated with the brake relay system as the skid marks on the runway demonstrate but luckily I managed to keep her on the centreline and the damage is really pretty minimal, even the spinner is untouched. Prop is trashed and the motor will have to come out for test but I am 100% fine and hey we can fix the plane.

Best estimates are with the help of all our supporters, we will be back in the air by June 2009.

Sincere thanks to all of you who have called and showed so much concern, I am trying to put this down to the rich tapestry of life.

Luv

Pete ”

The facts:

Really disapointed to see that someone who was trusted to attend the scene felt fit to post images so soon.:mad:

What difference can that possibly make? P T happily choses to operate and display his aeroplanes in the public domain, for mutual enjoyment. In the event of a mishap, there is naturally high concern and interest and as a consequence, images will very soon be in the public eye.

Such an eventuality as this abrupt arrival is neither shameful or secret, and it is unrealistic to expect any photographer to twiddle his thumbs for half a day before releasing his images. When numerous people are present in a public place, there should be no expectation of any confidentiality.

I should imagine that the emergency services were pretty surprised to see the ‘driver’ still present when they turned up. As I understand it, in Essex it is more or less standard procedure to leg it before the law appears;).

BBC says he was struck on the head by the rear propeller.

This seems a very unpredictable means by which to commit murder, seeing as it cannot reverse into its victim, and to run strike them from the front is more likely just to knock them over.

Regardless, the BBC uses ‘murder’ in preference to ‘accident’.