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By: - 25th April 2018 at 22:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The best of luck, and a safe flight, Dave.
You'll probably be the only person in the world who'll never want to hear the roar of a Merlin again, after flying all those miles behind one!
Anon.
By: - 26th April 2018 at 06:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Apologies for being a spoilsport but Bournemouth, UK to Buenos Aires, Argentina direct is 6,818 miles...one way and over water.
A 1947 Shell advertisement published in the magazine Aeronave, proudly showing Argentina’s sole Spitfire PR Mk. XI shortly after its direct flight over the Atlantic in the hands of Capitán Jaime Storey (in the cockpit).
Acquired by a civilian operator for aerial mapping purposes, the Spitfire PR Mk. XI PL972 was purchased from Air Ministry surplus in 1947. Argentinean ex-RAF PRU Spitfire pilot, Capitán Jaime (James) Storey brought the aircraft to the country, flying on 29 April 1947 from Hurn, England, via Gibraltar, Dakar, then over the Atlantic to Natal, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and then finally to Buenos Aires. With a 170-gallon slipper tank and two custom-built 20-gal tanks in the wing roots, the aircraft could carry over 400 gallons of fuel to an endurance of 10 hours, marginally more than 8,5 hours required for a direct Atlantic crossing. The flight was completed on May 5, 1947.
Storey’s endeavour counts as the longest recorded Spitfire flight ever. As his aircraft lacked long-range navigation instruments, the passage of the ocean was made in the company of Avro York of British South American Airways (BSAA). The Shell oil company provided fuel, lubricants and service enroute.
Upon arrival at Buenos Aires the Spitfire received the civil registration LV-NMZ.
Mark
By: - 26th April 2018 at 11:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
That is astonishing! I had no idea. I'll never ever again boast about a successful aerial crossing of the Severn estuary.
By: - 26th April 2018 at 15:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hah! I just knew there was going to be something like that. Thanks for the info.
But he didn't have to cross the Rockies twice!
Seriously -- an amazing flight. I'd never heard of it.
By: - 26th April 2018 at 15:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I wonder if they'll get the camouflaged
Prentice up from Florida to escort him?
By: - 26th April 2018 at 15:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It's not taking away anything from what you will be doing Dave! Actually, James Storey was flying a surplus, probably not that expensive aircraft (they could pretty easily get another one if he crashed it) while you'll be at the controls of a pretty rare and, in a way, unique survivor. That's something that will focus the mind...;)
By: - 26th April 2018 at 16:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Could still be the longest Spitfire FIGHTER flight as PL972 was a photo recon aircraft...? Good luck and look forward to following your progress.
By: - 26th April 2018 at 16:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
But he didn't have to cross the Rockies twice!
Dave,
I think Bill Greenwood must have the record there, operating his two seat Spitfire out of Aspen for many years at 8,000'.
I seem to remember on a trip with him to Oshkosh, we went up to 12-13,000', him on oxygen...while I just went light headed.
Quite a thump when the two stage supercharger cuts in.
Mark
By: - 26th April 2018 at 16:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Some of the West Coast Spitfires flying to Oshkosh over the Rockies must be running close to that.
Mark
By: - 26th April 2018 at 17:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
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By: - 11th September 2018 at 18:19 Permalink
That is brilliant.How do the hours done on this journey affect the maintenance on the aircraft and engine,is it due for a rebuild soon.
By: - 12th September 2018 at 00:43 Permalink
We put on about 35 hours. This is more than a regular season for us in Canada, but not excessive.
From what I've seen, regular use of these aircraft and engines, for flights where operating temperatures get established and maintained, is the best thing for them. Infrequent short flights is probably more harmful than pickling them.
This is now a 60-hour aeroplane (it was close to new when I departed), engine and airframe. So, no, it should last for a considerable time yet.
It was TCA who achieved the best results with Merlins, but their engine shop was the best, their R and D was good, the parts were still available, the work-force was mature, and the engines were in use nearly every day. In recent years that has not been reproduceable. But now, in the UK, since the CAA regulatory change, the Ride business has increased to the point where the same peak of cost-effectiveness may be achievable again.
By: - 12th September 2018 at 12:42 Permalink
well done mate would had some nice country to see
By: - 18th September 2018 at 18:23 Permalink
What’s that white plastic looking thing hanging from the cockpit rail in the right hand picture Dave ?
By: - 18th September 2018 at 19:37 Permalink
Pee Toe Tube
By: - 18th September 2018 at 19:39 Permalink
:angel:
By: - 19th September 2018 at 15:57 Permalink
"What’s that white plastic looking thing hanging from the cockpit rail in the right hand picture Dave ?"
That was my air-conditioning mod. It's a 90 degree elbow I picked up at Home Hardware, off the Discount Spitfire Parts rack.
The vent there blows air across the cockpit. But for flying in 90F+ heat, you want air blowing on your chest. Actually the proper angle would be about 75 degrees
It's dangling because the air that day was cool enough that I didn't want it on my chest. In general, whenever I wanted the flow to come at me, I just popped it on.
By: - 19th September 2018 at 16:51 Permalink
Thanks for that Dave, makes good sense.
Posts: 107
By: Dave Hadfield - 25th April 2018 at 20:21
Hi All,
This is a press release that I'm delighted to be able to send.
Dave
5000 Miles in a Spitfire!
It’s never been done before in the iconic WWII fighter!
This August (2018), the newly-restored Spitfire Mk IX of the Michael Potter Aircraft Collection/Vintage Wings of Canada is flying from its home base of Ottawa/Gatineau, to Comox, BC, and will appear at a number of events. It is the only Spitfire flying in Canada.
Spitfire Pilot Dave Hadfield: “It’s like flying from Lisbon to Moscow, and crossing a mountain range – twice.”
When Mr. Potter took over the stalled project in 2008 in order to create a flying aircraft, he promised to return one day and display the completed, restored, airplane – in all its magnificence. He is excited to be fulfilling that promise!
Departing in mid-July, the Spitfire will spend a week at Airventure in Oshkosh, where it will be center-stage for the themed 100th Anniversary of the RAF. Then it will route through the NW states via Mullen Pass, and arrive in Comox around Aug 03. It will then be the focus of presentations and displays organized by a team led by Mr. Terry Chester, of Comox.
Canada’s highest-scoring surviving fighter pilot, Mr. James “Stocky” Edwards, will be among those featured at Gala Dinners, interviews, “Spitfire Ground-Schools” and many other events. The return flight will begin in late August. The aircraft commemorates Flt. Lt. Arnold “Rosey” Roseland, who flew a Spitfire exactly like this in 1944 with the RCAF – and died in one. His squadron, 442, still exists today, and flies Search and Rescue missions from CFB Comox.
Fingers crossed – a very rare and treasured piece of history will grace the west-coast skies this summer!
Upon its return, the Spitfire will feature in the Ottawa/Gatineau Airshow and the Battle of Britain Flypast on Sept. 15-16, joining the rest of the fighters of the stunning, one-of-a-kind Collection. The aircraft operates with the support of Vintage Wings of Canada, the foundation located at the Spitfire’s home base at the Gatineau airport. It is volunteer-driven, and privately funded.
Trip Leader, and Pilot, Dave Hadfield dave at hadfield.ca
Comox Team Leader, Terry Chester Y2Kspitfire at shaw.ca
Vintage Wings of Canada http://www.vintagewings.ca