Spitfire incident at Ardmore this morning (3 Dec)

**Elysium** · 6th December 2009, 19:04

Now this is a better pilot. And a better plane in my opinion.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDImSVoiJJY[/youtube]

**Usarka** · 7th December 2009, 07:22

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Just got from an undisclosed source that the damage done is more severe than before and will cost around $1M to rebuild. She'll take 12 months to get back in the air.

Might reconsider the trip to Wanaka next year then

**James Deuce** · 7th December 2009, 07:24

Originally Posted by Elysium

Now this is a better pilot. And a better plane in my opinion.

Apart from the flying like a mud wallowing Buffalo above 23,000 ft (It feels WRONG Pussy - The Germans used metres for goodness sake!).

**Bass** · 7th December 2009, 09:24

Originally Posted by Swoop

I'm listening...!

PM sent.
Actually, if you are into aircraft Ardmore is worth a visit at anytime. There is a huge amount goes on out there behind closed doors. There is a Bleriot under construction in the hanger next to ours (which we share with a Nanchang) and a Mosquito in the hanger next to that, plus a P40 under rebuild. There is also a nearly complete V8 powered 3/4 Spitfire in our hanger that you can buy if you want. It's up for sale as part of a divorce settlement.

**pete376403** · 7th December 2009, 19:44

Originally Posted by Bass

There is also a nearly complete V8 powered 3/4 Spitfire in our hanger that you can buy if you want. It's up for sale as part of a divorce settlement.

Is this one of the Aussie Supermarines? Would you take the wife as a trade? (with cash difference of course)

**nadroj** · 7th December 2009, 20:39

Originally Posted by pete376403

Is this one of the Aussie Supermarines? Would you take the wife as a trade? (with cash difference of course)

Better post a pic then!

**Pussy** · 7th December 2009, 20:46

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Apart from the flying like a mud wallowing Buffalo above 23,000 ft (It feels WRONG Pussy - The Germans used metres for goodness sake!).

It may well have done.... but it didn't hurt too much to use the correct unit, did it??

**marty** · 7th December 2009, 21:11

Ardmore is a total PITA for high performance tail draggers. It was hard enough in the Pitts doing a long straight final approach - at 95kts (similar to the SPitfire) behind 172s and Traumahawks at 60kts. I HATED the straight in approach - for 21 the easiest thing was to weave until on mid finals, drift off to the left until the threshold and tower lined up, then head just to the right of the tower, aim to turn over the threshold at about 50 feet max, roll left until the whole runway disappears, then watch the runway get big in the peripheral - cut power, crackle pop bang, set 3 point and land. power up tail up rotate, do it all again in 75 seconds

Welcome to circuits in the Pitts.

No sweat.

**Bass** · 8th December 2009, 08:38

Originally Posted by pete376403

Is this one of the Aussie Supermarines? Would you take the wife as a trade? (with cash difference of course)

Firstly, it's not mine, sadly.
Secondly, straighten me out if I'm wrong, but I thought the Aussie ones were effectively lookalike microlites with about 60 hp. This one is all-metal with what looks like a mid-sized automotive V8 in the front of it. It's not fully assembled. The wings are lying beside the fuselage, but I'll take the camera with me next time I go out.
However, all that said, post a picture of the wife and we shall see what can be worked out.

**Bass** · 8th December 2009, 08:47

Originally Posted by marty

Ardmore is a total PITA for high performance tail draggers.

I sympathise. I've flown one approach in MAD (Richard took over as we turned finals) so I have some idea what you mean.
I recall one occasion where our Wilga was turning base for a banner pickup and he was 6th in the queue.
There have been many times that I have seen a Warbird overshoot because some student has misjudged his approach speed and nipped inside him. On one occasion I saw the T28 have 3 attempts before Unicom made space for him. This was despite the normal warnings that there was a fast one on finals.

It's not so bad now though with some of the training moving to Hamilton.

**Kickaha** · 8th December 2009, 09:06

Originally Posted by Bass

Firstly, it's not mine, sadly.
Secondly, straighten me out if I'm wrong, but I thought the Aussie ones were effectively lookalike microlites with about 60 hp.

Bit bigger than that 80%-90% size

Originally Posted by Bass

This one is all-metal with what looks like a mid-sized automotive V8 in the front of it.

Sounds like one of the Oz built ones that pete376403 put the link up for earlier http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/

**R6_kid:Me** · 8th December 2009, 09:18

Originally Posted by Bass

This one is all-metal with what looks like a mid-sized automotive V8 in the front of it.

Thats probably an Aussie Supermarine one then - someone posted a link earlier.

**Bass** · 8th December 2009, 09:20

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Sounds like one of the Oz built ones that pete376403 put the link up for earlier http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/

You are right
It might be one of those.

**pete376403** · 8th December 2009, 19:27

Originally Posted by Bass

Firstly, it's not mine, sadly.
Secondly, straighten me out if I'm wrong, but I thought the Aussie ones were effectively lookalike microlites with about 60 hp. This one is all-metal with what looks like a mid-sized automotive V8 in the front of it. It's not fully assembled. The wings are lying beside the fuselage, but I'll take the camera with me next time I go out.
However, all that said, post a picture of the wife and we shall see what can be worked out.

http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/
I asked the wife - she said no.