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srpatterson

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October 11, 2004 at 5:05 pm in reply to: RNHF Sea Fury #1397004

srpatterson
Participant

In display, with the power up, the fuel burn is probably closer to two gallons per minute. I don’t have the figures for the Centaurus, but my plane burns 85gph in cruise, and well over 200gph at takeoff power.

As for the fuel, I know the RNHF had to commision a special batch for their Sea Fury. I have no idea of the cost, but at Reno the 115/145 race fuel is about double the price of 100LL.

The need for their own fuel will no doubt have an impact on how often the RNHF Sea Fury is able to display next year. I know other Centaurus Sea Furies have used 100LL in the past, so I wonder if this is a precaution during the initial engine break-in period, or if the RNHF are worried about detonation in the normal operation of this airplane.

October 11, 2004 at 4:44 am in reply to: RNHF Sea Fury #1398696

srpatterson
Participant

Looks like everyone had a wonderful outing at Duxford today, in spite of the rather brisk weather. It is England in October, after all.

My congratulations to the RNHF for getting the FB11 Sea Fury in the air this season. When James and I visited Yeovilton in May and had a look at this airplane (which is a real beauty), flying this season was very much in doubt. Everyone involved has done a fantastic job to get this very special plane back in front of the public.

For the record, I am a Sea Fury fan, no matter what the powerplant. I also feel the same for the Spit. Give me Merlin or Griffon, either is a suitable powerplant for RJ Mitchell’s wonderful airplane. As for the Sea Fury, well I believe that Sydney Camm would have understood the problems in the 21st century with the Centaurus (parts, mechanics, fuel, etc.), especially in America. We don’t put Wright 3350s or P & W 4360s on our Sea Furies because we are trying to cause trouble, we do it because we would rather see the airplanes fly than sit on the ground. And that’s exactly where most of them would be if we were dependent on flying behind the Centaurus.

If I could have a reliable Bristol Centaurus with a Dowty Rotol prop on my plane I would do it tomorrow, but the fact of the matter is I might as well wish for the moon. It’s hard enough to get parts and support for the 3350, but the Centaurus is unobtainium this side of the Atlantic. My hat is off to Elsworth Getchell and his Centaurus Sea Fury, but I don’t think my wife is going to take kindly to me building engines on the kitchen table (which is what Elsworth does). Also, Elsworth has the parts, which he has gathered over the last 25 years. Nobody else in America does.

Bristol or Wright really doesn’t matter to the pilot. Much like Merlin or Griffon, right foot or left foot, you do whatever it takes to make the darn thing go straight and fly. I have visited at length with several American Sea Fury pilots who have flown both. Bottom line…not much difference. The Centaurus gets good marks, when it is running properly. Cylinder head temps are less with the 3350, so there is no need for the gill doors, but both are good engines.

A Sea Fury is a Sea Fury. A Spitfire is a Spitfire. And as for the anoraks, well, give it a rest.

Steve

October 10, 2004 at 5:38 pm in reply to: Photos of the new Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-4 on the german sky #1400340

srpatterson
Participant

Never a Spitfire around when you need one!

Excellent photos, of a fantastic restoration. Congratulations to all involved.

Steve

October 10, 2004 at 4:57 am in reply to: Flying Inverted #1401274

srpatterson
Participant

Jetlag is a terrible disease, Mr. Jones. Cat got you up?

Don’t you have to be at Duxford in a few hours?

October 10, 2004 at 4:52 am in reply to: New Warbird Stuff & Thank you #1401388

srpatterson
Participant

While I suspect this magazine is aimed at a north American audience so this wont really matter, I’m not so enthusiastic looking at the preview issue:

Wow Hamtech, let’s get the rope out and string these fellas up! While I accept your points concerning an American tilt in some of the content of this, their VERY first issue (after all the new editor is an American), I believe the intent is to have an international flavor. Thank you for your patience and understanding (not to mention omnipotent editing skills) as this new magazine takes fruition.

BTW, it should have been “North American”, instead of “north American”, and “enthusiastically”, not “enthusiastic”, in your last sentence above.

Steve

October 10, 2004 at 4:37 am in reply to: Flying Inverted #1401410

srpatterson
Participant

What distances are we talking about, is there theoretically a limit as to how far a plane can fly inverted?

All the way to the scene of the crash…

October 10, 2004 at 4:34 am in reply to: Back to 'The Lucky Country'. #1401412

srpatterson
Participant

Oh come on, let’s just stone him!!!

Arrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh

October 9, 2004 at 5:26 am in reply to: Back to 'The Lucky Country'. #1402864

srpatterson
Participant

Oh, I definately have some plans to visit James and Bev in Australia. Allison and I were there 2 years ago and we had a wonderful time. Just like America, only with an accent.

Besides, Wanaka is only 2 years away!

Steve

October 9, 2004 at 12:07 am in reply to: Guess the aircraft #1403014

srpatterson
Participant

Hamilton Standard and Dowty Rotol

October 8, 2004 at 4:17 pm in reply to: Back to 'The Lucky Country'. #1403728

srpatterson
Participant

🙁 🙁 🙁 Well, I knew this was coming, I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. 🙁 🙁 🙁 . Now look what you’ve made me do, I’m posting like Anna 🙁 🙁 🙁 .

Enjoy yourself in Britain these last few months. Drink lots of Spitfire, eat plenty of pork scratchings (a stone or two wouldn’t hurt, you know), drive the MGB on some nice, twisty roads, and soak in the lovely Fall weather in England. OK, I know…I went a little far with that last one. Also, you might consider trading in that tweed jacket for a rugby jersey, or something else a little more appropriate to your new/old countrymen. It wouldn’t do to have you eaten by the locals.

Speaking of the MG, it must stay in the family. Maybe we could have it put on display at Old Warden?

Best wishes, and I’ll see you in California…

Steve

PS We’re about to take Andy and Vanessa to the airport for their return home. He’s drunk all my Abbot and has been lurking around my only bottle of Spitfire, so it’s time for him to go. If you see him at Duxford on Sunday (in his words if the weather isn’t complete sh*t) be kind if he looks a little knackered. This holiday stuff is hard work.

Steve

October 5, 2004 at 3:56 pm in reply to: Happy B-Day AIB #1408995

srpatterson
Participant

Leave it to Andy to find the only shop in KC that sells imported British Beer! We found Abbot Ale, Adnams SSB, Hook Norton, and Fuller’s London Pride…plus a few others. I’m afraid if he’d found Spitfire he might never go home. We watched “Night Bombers” on the big screen last night and had a wonderful time.

I’ve got a special birthday present for Andy today, involving a cocktail of Jet A and aerobatics. I’m sure he’ll have something to say later on. WX is beautiful, with just a hint of Fall in the air and a severe clear blue sky. Should make for some good photos.

Happy Birthday, Andy…

Steve

October 3, 2004 at 10:40 pm in reply to: Wish You Were Here…. #1412699

srpatterson
Participant

And he didn’t even puke…

September 30, 2004 at 7:43 pm in reply to: New Aircraft Tug for the Sea Fury #1418462

srpatterson
Participant

Hey is this Ferret located in KC?

Yes it is…

I still can’t believe they scrapped my aircraft carrier 🙁

Hey, maybe I could make a carrier deck in the hanger. You know, like they did at Yeovilton! OK, who has a friend in the stage construction and props business. 🙂

September 30, 2004 at 4:35 pm in reply to: Alternative Battle of Britain Film Quotes #1418992

srpatterson
Participant

Michael Caine (sitting in Spitfire with engine running)
“How much longer?”

The other pilots look from cockpit to cockpit waiting for a response…

“Look, we either shoot this scene or I’m leaving. My butt is sore and I need a cocktail. If you don’t like that you can bloody well get Sean Connery”

September 30, 2004 at 4:06 pm in reply to: New Aircraft Tug for the Sea Fury #1419035

srpatterson
Participant

It’s all your fault, James. If you hadn’t taken me to Abingdon I would have never known what a Ferret was (outside of the furry little creature).

It’s really rather fun, and surprise, I’m the only kid on my block with one. The John Deere garden tractor just didn’t look right, sitting next to the Sea Fury.

Now, if I could just find an aircraft carrier…
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