The 'Grace' Spitfire ML407

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The 'Grace' Spitfire ML407

Postby Spitfire » Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:33 pm

I was recently on a weeks holiday based in Ipswich and I managed to convince my long suffering wife that we could 'pop' up to Sywell to see ML407 (2 hours in the car :p )

I had already emailed Daisy Grace about the possibilities of seeing the Spit close up and had indicated that I may be interested in booking a flight some time next year.

Daisy advised that last Thursday (15th) [Battle Of Britain day by coincidence] was a flying day - 6 paying passengers to get up on their jaunts - so I opted to go then ...

We arrived at 11am and I was gob-smacked at the brilliant facilities at Sywell - there's a hotel and Bar/restaurant and a topping viewing area very near to the planes - ML407 was already there just a few feet away ..

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The sky was blue and it was very hot - but the visibility low down on the horizon was questionable so there was a delay in getting the first passenger airborne - in fact the pilot did a weather recce in his own Pitts biplane before committing ...

Start up was amazing - right by us - and off went the first paying passenger - all very brilliant - on his return there was the obligatory 'victory roll' over the airfield :D :D I also listened intently to his explanations and discussions with his family which made me very jealous .. :((

Then came the second passenger - I was right behind her and caught the wonderful flaming coughs as she sprang into life plus a huge gust of sweet smelling slipstream ... also Dave Puleson trying to catch an errant helmet liner that had been inadvertently left on the tail :p Not the best footage from my mobile phone :(


Then we had to leave as it was getting late and we had that 2 hour drive back to Ipswich ;)

BUT it seems we missed what happened next - on the next landing the pilot had a landing accident during the roll out and aircraft pitched forward onto its nose causing minor damage :-o :-o

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This then had to be recovered ...

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And it seems Air Leasing have pronounced, following extensive testing, that the Merlin engine is not damaged and the minor repairs needed are already well under way ...

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So an exciting and eventful day ... all I have to do now is lose a stone (+!!) in weight and an inch or 2 around my middle ...and my application will be going in ... \:D/ B-) :D
Last edited by Spitfire on Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:46 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: The 'Grace' Spitfire ML407

Postby Mayfly » Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:30 pm

Oooo, you can join my 'I've flown in a Spitfire' club if you like - lol

Shame about the ground looping, but as long as no-one was injured.
In memory of a very dear friend - Mike Pearson

Very fond memories of Robbie Gilvary - DTs 1st Vulcan Captain who taught DT all he knew.
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Re: The 'Grace' Spitfire ML407

Postby Spitfire » Tue Sep 20, 2016 6:35 pm

Mayfly wrote:Oooo, you can join my 'I've flown in a Spitfire' club if you like - lol


Not yet I can't ... need to lose the weight first ... perhaps for my 65th next year :D :p
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Re: The 'Grace' Spitfire ML407

Postby Mayfly » Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:57 pm

There's not a lot of room is there. I found it quite cramped.
In memory of a very dear friend - Mike Pearson

Very fond memories of Robbie Gilvary - DTs 1st Vulcan Captain who taught DT all he knew.
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Re: The 'Grace' Spitfire ML407

Postby Spitfire » Wed Sep 21, 2016 5:31 pm

Mayfly wrote:There's not a lot of room is there. I found it quite cramped.


It's not the room ... I could put up with that ....its their weight limit for passengers ... 16st ... and I am currently ....17st 4lb :((
Plus a maximum 'midriff' measurement of 41" and I am 42" (+) :(( :(( :((

So I have my incentive :p ;)

PS - you quoted me ...
Mayfly wrote:Shame about the ground looping, but as long as no-one was injured.

It has been pointed out to me that it was NOT a ground loop - and I have edited my original post to reflect the actual facts :(
So just to set the record straight I would just like to confirm that here in regard to your quoting of my pre-edited original post.
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