A lone Spitfire...
Discussion
Just walking out of a Post Office in Maidstone when I heard that unmistakable sound of an approaching Merlin. Cue a very low, lone Spitfire a few moments later at full chat flying right above me heading towards London.
It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
A truly epic sound and sight.
It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
A truly epic sound and sight.
An unexpected Spitfire is always a bit of a special moment, I was taking pictures in a poppy field last summer when one appeared - He didn't stick around long enough to get a shot of him over the poppies unfortunately...
clouds by kentsmudger, on Flickr
pop by kentsmudger, on Flickr
clouds by kentsmudger, on Flickr
pop by kentsmudger, on Flickr
I've been lucky enough to catch unexpected 'Merlins' twice now.
First occasion, bout 24 years ago - I was 16 years old, and cycling home from a GCSE exam at school. The distant rumble caused me to stop - and as I sat there, the 'Battle of Britain' flight went right over my head - Spit, Hurricane and Lancaster
No idea what the occasion was or where they were headed to...
Second occasion, about 4 years ago. I was out running one evening, trotting down a bridleway in the middle of nowhere, between some fields. 'Eh up' I thought... 'I know that sound'...and once again, Battle of Britain flight as above, graced me with an overhead show! Luxury!
First occasion, bout 24 years ago - I was 16 years old, and cycling home from a GCSE exam at school. The distant rumble caused me to stop - and as I sat there, the 'Battle of Britain' flight went right over my head - Spit, Hurricane and Lancaster
No idea what the occasion was or where they were headed to...Second occasion, about 4 years ago. I was out running one evening, trotting down a bridleway in the middle of nowhere, between some fields. 'Eh up' I thought... 'I know that sound'...and once again, Battle of Britain flight as above, graced me with an overhead show! Luxury!
Back in June 2007, Mrs. lazy_b and I took her dad to visit his birthplace in North Yorkshire. We were based in a holiday cottage in Haxby, just north of York. It was the year of the "great flood", so the holiday was a bit of a washout, but one of the dry days made it all worthwhile...
I heard the sound of a Merlin, so (of course) went outside to take a look; and was rewarded with the sight of not one, but three Spitfires. They weren't actually doing any serious aerobatics, but it looked like they were practising formation flying back and forth past the cottage.
I think they were rehearsing for an air display at Elvington.
I heard the sound of a Merlin, so (of course) went outside to take a look; and was rewarded with the sight of not one, but three Spitfires. They weren't actually doing any serious aerobatics, but it looked like they were practising formation flying back and forth past the cottage.
I think they were rehearsing for an air display at Elvington.
Strangest random Merlin experience for me was IIRC last year when the Lancaster flew directly over our house on 3 engines.
Feels special when a unique aircraft like that flies overhead. I always wonder "what are the chances of that happening again?" (we are nowhere near an airfield).
Most ironic experience was when I took my son to Duxford for the BoB airshow. We didn't even get to the car park before having to give up and drive the 130 miles back home. Turned out the Red Arrows had flown straight over our house in formation earlier in the day, so by staying at home the missus saw more aircraft than we did.
Feels special when a unique aircraft like that flies overhead. I always wonder "what are the chances of that happening again?" (we are nowhere near an airfield).
Most ironic experience was when I took my son to Duxford for the BoB airshow. We didn't even get to the car park before having to give up and drive the 130 miles back home. Turned out the Red Arrows had flown straight over our house in formation earlier in the day, so by staying at home the missus saw more aircraft than we did.
pwrc said:
get bombers and fighters quite regularly here in lincolnshire, lancasters being the most common but fighters often (not brilliant at identifying them but i'm guessing they're more likely to be spitfires than hurricanes or other small craft)
"The" Lancaster: There's only one airworthy over here at the moment.pwrc said:
get bombers and fighters quite regularly here in lincolnshire, lancasters being the most common but fighters often (not brilliant at identifying them but i'm guessing they're more likely to be spitfires than hurricanes or other small craft)
I take it you're aware that Lincolnshire is pretty much RAF country? I think the BBMF is usually based at Coningsby.dr_gn said:
"The" Lancaster: There's only one airworthy over here at the moment.
i stand corrected! Do you know where it's based? (Waddington would make sense) I see large bomber aircraft fairly often, if it's not the lancaster then I don't know what else it could be. will try and grab a photo next time i see it. Silver Smudger said:
An unexpected Spitfire is always a bit of a special moment, I was taking pictures in a poppy field last summer when one appeared - He didn't stick around long enough to get a shot of him over the poppies unfortunately...
clouds by kentsmudger, on Flickr
pop by kentsmudger, on Flickr
I bet that was a very poignant moment.clouds by kentsmudger, on Flickr
pop by kentsmudger, on Flickr
Back when I did a stint co-piloting a corporate jet I asked the skipper why he had wanted to be a pilot. He was out walking in the country with his (Hurricane pilot) Dad as a small boy in the latter days of WWII when a lone P51 Mustang skimmed the ridge they were walking on and aileron-rolled as it passed overhead before disappearing down the valley. Seed sown!
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