Aircraft General Discussion

Seeing the Rolls Royce Spitfire reminded me of when I was much younger than now and we lived on the approach to Hucknall. Lots of odd aircraft flying over with strange engines. But best of all, an almost daily Spitfire on finals. Their idea of an executive jet I guess. Later we used to drop in there when we did cross country exercises, but the Royce side of the field was off limits. Anyone know where they keep the spitfire now?

Ian

Rolls Royce's PR Mk XIX Spitfire PS-853 / G-RRGN, has a hanger at East Midland airport near Derby.
Ian S C

Thanks Ian. Not sure when I'll be in England again, international air flights are getting to be a pain (literally) nowadays. Well, I guess the flights are ok, it's the bits at each end that do me in.

Ian

My last time in UK was 1984, I don't even have a Passport these days, so i'll stay here in Kiwi land for now.

The next Mossie ( TV 959/ ZK-FHC) is due to fly, but it's American owner is a bit shy about publicity.

Ian S C

You'll be in trouble, it's nearer Nottingham!

Neil

A bit like London Oxford Airport then? 

Edited By V8Eng on 31/08/2016 13:32:05

.

In which alternative reality is that ^^^, Neil ?

MichaelG.

Spitfires. Hmmm. Just did a search of two museums around Ottawa, Canada, and it looks like there are 5 Spitfires within a 20 minute drive of each other (some in flying condition), with a 6th on loan to a museum in Hamilton, Canada (the museum that has that "other" flying Lancaster) I don't know if there are other Spitfires in Canada, other than these 6.

Ottawa is home to the Canadian Aviation Museum (3 Spitfires on the books, but one loaned, as above), but there is also a private museum very close by (across the Ottawa River) that is privately owned and operated. It seems very interesting, but have never been: vintagewings.ca - link:

**LINK**

I should make the time to go and visit both museums, and the one in Hamilton when I am in that area again - this thread has shown me that I do have an interest in this field (surprisingly to me!)

Before East Midlands became really busy we used to follow the M1 up to Nottingham. We were based at Tollerton, so, turn right at the railway lines, then left to line up for the circuit, can't remember the landmark now. Anyway, I remember being quite nervous when I could see the East midland runway lights out of the window.

Oxford (Kiddlington) was grass in the sixties, don't know what it is now, but one day the field was a bit wet, so the tower said use the peri track. it was a bit odd taking off on a curved runway and they hadn't mentioned that the track ended in a big earth berm….. I'm sure I felt the wheels run over it. Things get a bit hazy nowadays, but I do remember clearly that bowel loosening moment. I should have a look on Google Earth to see if I can figure out exactly where that was on the airfield.

Ian

Just had a look at Tollerton. I think now that I see it, M1 to Loughborough, across to the old Great Central line, with East Midlands off to the left, then Right at Clifton and across to Tollerton lane, hang a left and pick a runway.

I think I'll go back to bed, I'm rambling...

Ian

I don't think we have any Spitfires here in Alberta, out on the left hand side of Canada. Last time I looked, there was a none flying Mosquito at the Edmonton museum. Didn't see one at Calgary either. We have the Nanton Lancaster, which is, I think in taxying state; weren't they going to get it flying?

When I was talking to people at the Edmonton museum, they said that the Mosquito could theoretically fly with working engines, but to do everything as per certification was beyond their bank account's capability. That was some time ago and now they've lost their runway,'cos the old city airport is going to be developed. I should call in there and see what's new.

I guess, Calgary's Lancaster has moved under cover since last I was there, but from their web site a lot of stuff seems to be outside.

Ian

The first NZ built Mosquito was a prototype, built to full airworthy standard, but not certified, it has been bought up to flying standard now, so at the moment there are two Mossies in North America, with a third due shortly. The third one, at the moment registered as ZK- FHC, ex TV-959 had it's engines run up 27/8/16m, and should fly in the next few days with T-11 Vampire ZK-RVM as chase/photo plane.

Sorry about getting the location of the airstrip a bit out, I'm only going by what's on the web site that I got the info from, all I know it's somewhere in England, probably about the middle.

Ian S C

.

You didn't get the location of East Midlands Airport wrong, Ian

The drop pin on my map is on the airport, and Nottingham and Derby are both marked.

MichaelG.

My comment was more to do with the rivalry between Derby (which is a fairly small city) and Nottingham (which is our fourth-largest conurbation).

Unlikely to have created as much as stink as when Doncaster/Sheffield had the face to call their airport 'Robin Hood'.

Funny how airport names change for marketing purposes... Rhoose became Glamorgan (Rhoose) then Cardiff (Wales) and now just Cardiff.

Neil

"Unlikely to have created as much as stink as when Doncaster/Sheffield had the face to call their airport 'Robin Hood'."

A bit stupid really, to some of us old f***s it will ALWAYS be Finningley, just like the one near to me will ALWAYS be Yeadon.

Regards Ian.

And the one near me will always be Harewood (Christchurch International). 27/8/16 was the dat of ZK-FHC's first taxi tests under it's own power. It's hoped that on the 18/9/16 it will join in a fly past to commemorate the Battle of Britain, presumably over Auckland, probably with at least one Spitfire.

I see that the "Peoples Mosquito" group in the UK has got up and going(again), looking to see if the NZ production line can come up with an aircraft for Britain.

Neil, shouldn't the name be Robbing Hood, that's what airport authorities do isn't it?

Ian S C

I suppose it depends whether or not you count Long Eaton as part of Nottingham

Neil

Once Derby had an airport. It was at Burnaston just off the A38. It is now the site of a big Japanese car factory. Castle Donington, East Midlands, air port was established in the early 1960s. I flew from there a couple of times in 1968/9.

The only thing Nottingham could claim over Derby when I was a youth at Derby was the ratio of young women to young men (but I digress from the topic as usual). Those days are long gone and it can't claim anything now.

JA

.

Considereng that Long Eaton is currently in Derbyshire ... I would really rather not.

[that would only confuse matters]

MichaelG.

.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Eaton

**LINK**