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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 23, 2009 18:30:57 GMT 12
Hot news straight off the wire........
The Spitfire Tr.9 MH367 flew again today for the first time since its repairs, and was taken up twice by its owner Doug Brooker.
A huge well done to all the team involved in its repairs. I believe a few forum members were present and we await photos.
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Post by lumpy on Nov 23, 2009 20:05:04 GMT 12
Yes , photos please ! Great news .
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2009 22:01:15 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 23, 2009 22:12:02 GMT 12
Utterly superb! Thanks for the photos Kerry.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, that is without doubt the most gorgeous two seat Spitfire ever built, those desert colours look so good. Usually the two seaters have no appeal to me, but this one just looks "right".
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Post by ErrolC on Nov 23, 2009 22:24:08 GMT 12
Great news and photos. Thanks
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Post by Andy Wright on Nov 23, 2009 22:59:52 GMT 12
Excellent news and great to see the pics. Thanks guys.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Nov 24, 2009 7:11:01 GMT 12
Fantastic news. Who is in the back seat? Looks a bit like a certain RNZAF pilot who also occassionally flys a Spitfire!
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Post by Damon on Nov 24, 2009 7:17:33 GMT 12
Looks like Doug in the front,Warbirds CFI Frank Parker rear seat I think.
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 24, 2009 9:47:13 GMT 12
Great shots and I'm so glad to see her flying once more! It will be great to see her fly with Brendon Deere's machine at last. Well done AvSpecs and congrats Doug!
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Post by baz62 on Nov 24, 2009 17:07:52 GMT 12
Yes great to see her back in the air. I've always liked this cockpit arrangement. Much more streamed lined than the original one. Based on one the Russians did in World War 2 and first done by the late Nick Grace on his restoration of ML407 ex-485(NZ) Squadron.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Nov 24, 2009 18:14:55 GMT 12
I was out at Ardmore when it took off and although I didn't see it until after it was climbing away there's no mistaking the sound of a Spitfire! Was great to see it back in the circuit again.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 24, 2009 18:43:42 GMT 12
Based on one the Russians did in World War 2 and first done by the late Nick Grace on his restoration of ML407 ex-485(NZ) Squadron. I think the canopy layout was in fact designed by Dick Melton, who restored the Grace Spitfire, and who was responsible I believe for the early part of MH347's restoration too. |
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Post by mumbles on Nov 24, 2009 22:29:31 GMT 12
Nice! Pity I won't get to see it at any airshows I am likely to get to this season (none at the moment)  |
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petera
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 88
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Post by petera on Nov 25, 2009 7:12:11 GMT 12
Based on one the Russians did in World War 2 and first done by the late Nick Grace on his restoration of ML407 ex-485(NZ) Squadron. I think the canopy layout was in fact designed by Dick Melton, who restored the Grace Spitfire, and who was responsible I believe for the early part of MH347's restoration too. MH347. Would that be a Boeing product?  The canopy conversion to the standard Type 509 two seater is generally referred in the UK as the 'Grace/Melton Mod'. PeterA |
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Post by baz62 on Nov 25, 2009 8:08:46 GMT 12
I think the canopy layout was in fact designed by Dick Melton, who restored the Grace Spitfire, and who was responsible I believe for the early part of MH347's restoration too. MH347. Would that be a Boeing product? The canopy conversion to the standard Type 509 two seater is generally referred in the UK as the 'Grace/Melton Mod'. PeterA Yes but as I mentioned the Russians had this mod in WW2, I recently saw a photo of a Russian one with this arrangement. Not sure if they actually moved the front cockpit forward as well(like standard two seaters) but I presume for weight and balance reasons they may have had to. |
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petera
Flight Lieutenant
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Post by petera on Nov 25, 2009 9:06:40 GMT 12
Yes but as I mentioned the Russians had this mod in WW2, I recently saw a photo of a Russian one with this arrangement. Not sure if they actually moved the front cockpit forward as well(like standard two seaters) but I presume for weight and balance reasons they may have had to.[/quote]
The Russians did not move the cockpit forward and it is not clear that the rear cockpit was actually fitted with controls. The Russians used a standard Mk IX canopy whereas the Grace/Melton canopy is actually spec built.
The Grace/Melton mod is a very clever adaption of the standard two seater. The instructor in the rear becomes the passenger/2nd pilot by simply locking of the vertical seat travel in the low position. The tunnel generated between the the two cockpits is basically non structural to the monocoque.
Peter A
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Post by baz62 on Nov 25, 2009 14:02:18 GMT 12
Yes quite right Peter, I forgot to mention that the latest canopy arrangement is based on the Russian one not a copy of. I didn't realise the rear canopy is different from the front one. Obviously a lot of good old British engineering has gone into the design! ;D
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Post by Kereru on Nov 26, 2009 12:31:43 GMT 12
Great to see her back in the air again. Congrats to Doug and the Avspecs team. Caught her yesterday afternoon.  Cheers |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 26, 2009 13:25:25 GMT 12
Super photo Colin.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 28, 2009 9:32:46 GMT 12
Excellent photos Colin, sure nice to see the Spitfire flying again, and even better in blue skies!
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