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By: - 23rd May 2019 at 09:13 Permalink
It will be great to see it, but one has to feel a bit sorry for Bill Greenwood, who operated it for many years, though warbird running costs began rising rapidly, becoming quite a stretch for him.
When it had the sad collision with the Hurricane in Texas in 2008, he was determined to get it back in the air, for him to fly again, but sadly, it seems that dream is now over.
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/spitfire-hurricane-ground-collision-at-galveston.13067/ (link to photos of collision )
By: - 23rd May 2019 at 09:32 Permalink - Edited 23rd May 2019 at 09:34
I agree, I had always hoped he would get the Spit flying again, but at least now it will fly.
By: - 23rd May 2019 at 09:33 Permalink
Incidentally, where did the Hurricane end up?
I had read some time ago it was coming to the UK, but I'm guessing that's not the case.
By: - 23rd May 2019 at 11:06 Permalink
As a footnote, the Hurricane lost directional control, groundlooped and swung across the runway in front of the tail-down Spitfire, giving BG little chance to see/avoid.
By: - 23rd May 2019 at 23:06 Permalink
The Hurricane you speak of, which was owned/operated by the Lone Star Flight Museum, never went to Hawker Restorations as Goodall's site claims (and as was initially reported some years ago). It has remained at Ray Middleton's "QG Aviation" in Colorado (same place that restored it the first time, and which had also been working on TE308 all these years until now). The Hurricane is now owned by Bruce Eames/Dakota Territory Air Museum (same collection as previously named "Texas Flying Legends"), based at Minot, North Dakota, and it is expected to fly this year.
By: - 23rd May 2019 at 23:30 Permalink - Edited 23rd May 2019 at 23:32
I can't say with any certainty other than the few reports that have seeped out over the years. I seem to recall hearing that the airframe repairs were finished (the wings, for instance, were completed back in 2013) - I believe engine work had still been on-going, though, and I wonder if a new prop had been acquired yet?
Like many others here in the US, TE308 was the very first Spitfire I ever saw in person and flying. Bill Greenwood was a wonderful caretaker of that airplane for a great many years.
By: - 24th May 2019 at 00:08 Permalink - Edited 24th May 2019 at 04:46
Good to see it go to a place where it will be appreciated, well looked after and used.
All warbirds should be so lucky.
By: - 24th May 2019 at 07:08 Permalink
Will be nice to see it! No doubt with her being a 2 seater she will take presidence over the single seat restorations that are currently taking place
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By: DazDaMan - 23rd May 2019 at 09:02
She'll be joining the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar fleet in the near future!
https://www.facebook.com/TheTwoSeatSpitfirePage/photos/a.481325015386915/1123233431196067/?type=3&theater