Spitfire over North Bristol

[Tall_Paul]

Anyone else see (or hear) the Spitfire that flew over north Bristol about 20 mins ago?

Was just sat at my desk in the office (in Aztec West) and heard it, looked out the window just in time to catch a glimpse as it banked into a turn north of the M5, god what a sound!

Disappointed that no-one else in the office even flinched though...

[bobthemonkey]

There was one based out of the old BAe site at Filton, but have no idea if it was airworthy or not.

[EdJ]

I'm reading "First Light" at the moment - fantastic book about flying a Spitfire in WWII. Would love to see one flying.

[Yertis]

bobthemonkey said:

There was one based out of the old BAe site at Filton, but have no idea if it was airworthy or not.

At Filton there is an airworthy PRXIX belonging to Rolls. There is another in restoration, and an airworthy P51D. The Rolls PRXIX is in completely original, unrestored condition, beautifully maintained.

Edited by Yertis on Wednesday 8th October 16:04

[Carpie]

EdJ said:

I'm reading "First Light" at the moment - fantastic book about flying a Spitfire in WWII. Would love to see one flying.

Fantastic book. I saw one flying with a Typhoon at the cancelled air tattoo.

[Eric Mc]

Tall_Paul said:

Anyone else see (or hear) the Spitfire that flew over north Bristol about 20 mins ago?

Was just sat at my desk in the office (in Aztec West) and heard it, looked out the window just in time to catch a glimpse as it banked into a turn north of the M5, god what a sound!

Disappointed that no-one else in the office even flinched though...

And don't go around thinking you were listening to a Rolls Royce Merlin either. Rolls Royce's Spitfire is aa PRXIX, which is Griffon powered.

[Civilian47]

Yes just spotted it out the window as it went behind some trees, also Aztec West.

[scotal]

EdJ said:

I'm reading "First Light" at the moment - fantastic book about flying a Spitfire in WWII. Would love to see one flying.

You've never seen a Spitfire fly?

[DKL]

I'm convinced there is one tucked away at Lyneham. I see it up and playing on a nice Sunday afternoon from time to time. Could easily reach north Bristol.

[Don]

I've seen the Bristol plane a number of times.

Makes you want to salute! Fantastic thing.

[anonymous-user]

IIRC that particular Spitfire was one of the first aircraft with the BBMF, but they sold it in the 1990s to fund the Hurricane rebuild.

It was sold to Euan English, who sadly lost his life when his Harvard crashed.

The plane was then bought by Rolls Royce.

[R1_NUR]

I was on the M69 at about 1830 today and thought I saw a Spitfire.

You never know ...

[Spam]

My uncle has just bought a spitfire...

[Fetchez la vache]

As has been stated it's (or they are, though only ever saw one at a time) Based at Bae. Used to see one almost every friday afternoon hooning about when I worked at Abbey wood.

Amazing sight & sound. One hell of a perk, though I guess since most of Bae end early on a Friday, it's in their spare time.

[Six Fiend]

I live near the air field so am treated to it flying over my gaff regularly. I was sitting outside B&Q watching it this afternoon. Utterly glorious with people just stopping what they're doing, enjoying the sunshine and the spectacle (the noise is fabulous as it buzzes over the runway).

Best place is outside The Mall as it passes across the front of the building, over the car park and on a turn. Stunning sight

[zippy500]

It belongs to Rolls Royce(who I'm lucky enough to work for), jet engines not the cars. Usually comes out on nice days for a spin and a loop :-)

It is a late PR version with a Griffon engine fitted. I had to analyse an oil sample for wear metals from it one day, which I kept for posterity. Can't be many folks can say they have a sample of that on their mantlepiece.

Edited by zippy500 on Wednesday 8th October 21:15

[Eric Mc]

PRXIX - ex-BBMF. Rolls Royce originally had a different MkXIV which they sadly lost in a fatal accident in the early 1990s.

[edfrp]

Yertis said:

bobthemonkey said:

There was one based out of the old BAe site at Filton, but have no idea if it was airworthy or not.

At Filton there is an airworthy PRXIX belonging to Rolls. There is another in restoration, and an airworthy P51D. The Rolls PRXIX is in completely original, unrestored condition, beautifully maintained.

Edited by Yertis on Wednesday 8th October 16:04

The Rolls engineer who looks after the PRXIX is also running the rebuild of their first Spitfire (Mk XIV, RM689). Same engineer ran the rebuild of the Mk VIII that shares hanger space at Filton. The Mk VIII (MT928) is owned by Robs Lamplough, who also owns the P-51D (and has been motor racing for forty-plus years).

[Yertis]

edfrp said:

Yertis said:

bobthemonkey said:

There was one based out of the old BAe site at Filton, but have no idea if it was airworthy or not.

At Filton there is an airworthy PRXIX belonging to Rolls. There is another in restoration, and an airworthy P51D. The Rolls PRXIX is in completely original, unrestored condition, beautifully maintained.

Edited by Yertis on Wednesday 8th October 16:04

The Rolls engineer who looks after the PRXIX is also running the rebuild of their first Spitfire (Mk XIV, RM689). Same engineer ran the rebuild of the Mk VIII that shares hanger space at Filton. The Mk VIII (MT928) is owned by Robs Lamplough, who also owns the P-51D (and has been motor racing for forty-plus years).

Ah - just the man. I've been trying to remember the url for your site, and since you obviously know the tall fella too I had look at your profile and found it. Need some car pics taking, will be in touch.

[edfrp]

Yeah, I do know the tall fella. Glad to have unknowingly helped!