V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80
Discussion
If only I could put my hands on the disposable, if only, I'd have had my name on one 10 days ago when I first saw the edition detail. I'm not at all surprised 5 have already been sold, as we know there are more than a few owners on the forum that are or have been in the past pilots (myself included), so biased you bet we are.
Indeed, so biased am I that it just so happens, about 12 months ago the idea popped into my head that I could possibly utilise WWII Spitfire instruments on the dash panel of my MO551E build,,,it took almost 12 months to find the original instruments (its been fun) here is a cardboard mock up panel:
So Simon, Mark, great aviation minds think alike.
Note: Not all of the switches are from WWII,,not many aircraft had a Lucas turn indicator fitted.
Indeed, so biased am I that it just so happens, about 12 months ago the idea popped into my head that I could possibly utilise WWII Spitfire instruments on the dash panel of my MO551E build,,,it took almost 12 months to find the original instruments (its been fun) here is a cardboard mock up panel:
So Simon, Mark, great aviation minds think alike.
Note: Not all of the switches are from WWII,,not many aircraft had a Lucas turn indicator fitted.
Edited by Y100 on Sunday 17th July 16:18
Edited by Y100 on Sunday 17th July 16:19
RichB said:
I understand that the Cambridge dealer is near Duxford but what is the close connection Aston Martin have with aviation?
p.s. like the colour, like the interior but interested to know why some people are saying there's a tie between Spitfires and Astons.
I understand that during the war years, instead of building cars, AM manufactured and supplied parts to the aircraft industry in order to aid the war effort.p.s. like the colour, like the interior but interested to know why some people are saying there's a tie between Spitfires and Astons.
Octavarium said:
RichB said:
I understand that the Cambridge dealer is near Duxford but what is the close connection Aston Martin have with aviation?
p.s. like the colour, like the interior but interested to know why some people are saying there's a tie between Spitfires and Astons.
I understand that during the war years, instead of building cars, AM manufactured and supplied parts to the aircraft industry in order to aid the war effort.p.s. like the colour, like the interior but interested to know why some people are saying there's a tie between Spitfires and Astons.
RichB said:
Octavarium said:
RichB said:
I understand that the Cambridge dealer is near Duxford but what is the close connection Aston Martin have with aviation?
p.s. like the colour, like the interior but interested to know why some people are saying there's a tie between Spitfires and Astons.
I understand that during the war years, instead of building cars, AM manufactured and supplied parts to the aircraft industry in order to aid the war effort.p.s. like the colour, like the interior but interested to know why some people are saying there's a tie between Spitfires and Astons.
RichB said:
h ok, I was at a loss because someone said "Aston has long had an association with aviation" of which I was unaware. I knew they manufactured parts (like most factories) but I was expecting something a bit, well, long term and impressive!
AM links to aviation/RAF - This is not an exhaustive list but here are the links I know of:- 1. Both the current (Former RAF Gaydon) and new (Former RAF St Athan) Aston Martin factories are built on former RAF airfields
2. On the outbreak of WW1 in 1914 AM's factory machinery was put to work by the Sopwith Aviation Company (famous for the Camel fighter plane)
3. AM ceased vehicle production during WW2 and the factory turned to building aircraft parts & engines for the Ministry of War
4. Victor Gauntlett, Chairman of Aston Martin from 1980 - 1991, was a former RAF pilot and owned his own Spitfire Mark 1A during his time with Aston Martin along with many other aircraft - he even had a scale model of it built and put on a pole outside the factory
5. The Vulcan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ1OI-PXZ7Q
6. Attracting women into engineering https://www.astonmartin.com/en/live/news/2015/06/2...
Aside from the above, the area where AM Cambridge is located was a hive of activity during the Battle of Britain. RAF Duxford, the venue for the handover on the 18th of October, was the first RAF base to host a Spitfire Squadron, was pivotal in the battle and was also the location used in the film 'Battle of Britain'. RAF Fowlmere, also just a few miles from AM Cambridge was also a very important with 19 Sqn flying Spitfires. It seems fitting then, based on the above that AM Cambridge have put together this project from the outset in cooperation with both IWM Duxford and the RAF Benevolent Fund https://www.rafbf.org/news-and-blogs/aston-martin-...
Finally, as the architect of this project I have a very personal attachment to the RAF in that my own father flew as a pilot with 14 & 16 Sqn (not in BoB I might add!) & I consider myself a 'RAF Brat' having grown up with aeroplanes.
I want the RAF BF in particular to benefit from the 20 pages of media interest already on google surrounding this project and the publicity that will follow with the photos & film afterwards. I hope that this explanation goes some way to answering the question on AM/AM Cambridge/RAF/aviation links, but even without them I think it is a great celebration of two Great British engineering icons and the fact that they both have V12 engines in them makes the pairing even sweeter.
Thanks S
Simon Lane said:
AM links to aviation/RAF - This is not an exhaustive list but here are the links I know of:-
1. Both the current (Former RAF Gaydon) and new (Former RAF St Athan) Aston Martin factories are built on former RAF airfields...
Crikey, there's a decent list. 1. Both the current (Former RAF Gaydon) and new (Former RAF St Athan) Aston Martin factories are built on former RAF airfields...
Better add that Aston's factory in Feltham became Hanworth Air Park where they serviced Tiger Moths and other stuff during WWII. Hi All,
One of the customers purchasing a 'Spitfire 80' has given me permission to share his identity and reveal he is buying a car. Peter Monk owns the largest collection of Spitfires in the world and his company Biggin Hill Heritage Hanger, are providing both of the 2 seat aircraft we are using at the handover event. You can see more about his business here:-
http://www.flyaspitfire.com/
http://www.bigginhillheritagehangar.co.uk/
Peter is pairing his car with X4276, a Spitfire that is currently under restoration in his hanger and he (like all the other depositors so far) is going with a manual transmission.
One of the customers purchasing a 'Spitfire 80' has given me permission to share his identity and reveal he is buying a car. Peter Monk owns the largest collection of Spitfires in the world and his company Biggin Hill Heritage Hanger, are providing both of the 2 seat aircraft we are using at the handover event. You can see more about his business here:-
http://www.flyaspitfire.com/
http://www.bigginhillheritagehangar.co.uk/
Peter is pairing his car with X4276, a Spitfire that is currently under restoration in his hanger and he (like all the other depositors so far) is going with a manual transmission.
LordBretSinclair said:
Simon, can you spec this with Brownings?
No. But you can insert your own machine gun noises when attacking your favourite B road. See attached link for a demonstration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z4DZU8aFMcGassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff