Latest news with #Spitfires.com
The Courier
7 days ago
- The Courier
Photographer, 83, on cloud nine after Spitfire flight over Forfar
A retired Angus photographer is almost back down to earth after the thrill of a trip in a wartime Spitfire. During a lifelong interest in aviation, Brian Patterson has been lucky enough to take to the skies in some unusual machinery. But the ex-Courier lensman said the flight from Perth Airport in the two-seater Battle of Britain aircraft was beyond anything he'd previously experienced. And Brian agreed it was definitely worth the wait after fickle Tayside weather grounded the 83rd birthday thrill last year. On Thursday, he was back at Perth for the trip of a lifetime. Wife Irene, son Iain, niece Alison and her partner watched him take to the air. The flights are operated by West Sussex-based firm which opened a Perth Airport base last summer. 'Last year we got a really good look around the aircraft even though we couldn't fly,' said Brian. 'It's a beautiful thing, a stunning machine. 'But this time we arrived, I got kitted up and we were up and away. 'The wind was at the limit coming up the runway, but once we got up to about 3,000 feet it was so smooth.' The Spitfire headed east from Perth and dropped down through the cloud for Brian to enjoy a couple of circuits of his home town. He even experienced the thrill of rolls and loops in the highly manoeuvrable aircraft. And Brian was able to take control of the Spitfire during his half-hour flight. 'The movements required were miniscule. It's such a sensitive aircraft, but so smooth,' he said. 'It lived up to every expectation; it was just a great experience.' It's a far cry from Brian's days as a member of Forfar Model Flying Club flying small-scale planes in the town's Reid Park on a Sunday morning. He first flew from Scone aerodrome in an Avro Anson as a teenager in Forfar Air Cadets. And his 36-year career as a photographer with The Courier and People's Journal presented a couple of special opportunities to take off from Perth. Brian, who retired in 2006, added: 'I went up in one of the Toyota aerobatic team biplanes when they were giving a display at the Perth Show. 'I also had a flight in a blimp from Perth, which was something different.' The veteran flyer now has his sights set on another thrill. 'The next ambition is to go to Lincolnshire Aviation Centre for a Mosquito taxi ride. 'You don't actually take off, but it gives you a full power taxi with both Merlin engines running. 'I think that would be quite something.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spitfire: Second World War fighter plane crashes in Kent, but pilot and passenger 'uninjured'
A Second World War Spitfire fighter plane has crashed in a field in Kent. The plane, owned by Fly A Spitfire, went down "in the vicinity of Hythe on 03/05/2025 (Saturday)", the company said in a statement on its website. In a statement, the firm said: "We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft. "We can confirm that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information." Witnesses told local media the plane "misfired above a caravan park" and "narrowly" missed trees before it crashed in a field. Video of the incident showed the plane heading towards the ground, but no evidence of an explosion was filmed. The crash happened in the build-up to the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations, but although some reports said the plane was rehearsing for them, this has not been confirmed. Fly A Spitfire, which charges between £450 and £1,800 for an outing in one of its aircraft, said its Spitfire flight operations "will continue as planned". Read more:What VE Day was really like This Thursday, 8 May, marks exactly 80 years since victory in Europe following the Second World War, was declared. Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Monday to see a military procession and a flypast as well as a performance of Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 victory address, read by actor Timothy Spall, who played Britain's wartime leader in the 2010 film, The King's Speech. Spitfires played a huge role in the eventual victory during the Battle of Britain, by "defending British airspace against the German Luftwaffe from July to October 1940," said.
Sky News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Spitfire: Second World War fighter plane crashes in Kent, but pilot and passenger 'uninjured'
A Second World War Spitfire fighter plane has crashed in a field in Kent. The plane, owned by Fly A Spitfire, went down "in the vicinity of Hythe on 03/05/2025 (Saturday)", the company said in a statement on its website. In a statement, the firm said: "We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft. "We can confirm that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information." Witnesses told local media the plane "misfired above a caravan park" and "narrowly" missed trees before it crashed in a field. Video of the incident showed the plane heading towards the ground, but no evidence of an explosion was filmed. The crash happened in the build-up to the , but although some reports said the plane was rehearsing for them, this has not been confirmed. Fly A Spitfire, which charges between £450 and £1,800 for an outing in one of its aircraft, said its Spitfire flight operations "will continue as planned". This Thursday, 8 May, marks exactly 80 years since victory in Europe following the Second World War, was declared. Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Monday to see a military procession and a flypast as well as a performance of Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 victory address, read by actor Timothy Spall, who played Britain's wartime leader in the 2010 film, The King's Speech. Spitfires played a huge role in the eventual victory during the Battle of Britain, by "defending British airspace against the German Luftwaffe from July to October 1940," said.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spitfire passenger flights to be available from aerodrome near Cheshire
People will soon be able to fly in a Spitfire from Hawarden Aerodrome this year. The chance to soar above Wales, the Lake District, and the North West will be available for select days in May and September. will have the historic aircraft at the aerodrome from May 29 to May 31 and again from September 17 to September 19. Subject to demand, plans to have a plane stationed at Hawarden Aerodrome annually. The Spitfire will be one of three TR9s operated by the company. In the plane, a hand-picked pilot from flight crew will be in the front seat, with the paying passenger in the rear seat. The passenger will have their own cockpit, equipped with a full set of instruments and flight controls. A 1944 Spitfire Tr9, G-ILDA (SM520) (Image: Supplied) For those interested, there will even be an opportunity to take the controls and experience flying the legendary aircraft firsthand. Matt Jones, the founder and managing director of said: "We're looking forward to offering Spitfire flights from Hawarden Aerodrome. "With some of the most stunning scenery in Great Britain on its doorstep, we couldn't resist bringing one of our Spitfires here to offer passenger flights during such a significant anniversary year, both for our country and for our business. "Taking off from Hawarden Aerodrome and heading towards the ruggedly beautiful Welsh coastline and heading on to sights such as Pontycyllte Aqueduct, Point of Aye Lighthouse and even Snowdonia promises to be truly mesmerizing. "During the flights we offer, we will be able to take in the sights around the River Mersey and fly across North Wales and the Lake District and near to Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, which promises to be incredibly special for local residents." The company will be operating from Hawarden for the first time in 2025, which is the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and also the 10th anniversary of offering these experiences to the public. Scenic views from the iconic Spitfire will include the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Point of Ayr Lighthouse, Snowdonia, and the Welsh coastline. Flights will depart from Aviation Park Group Ltd, a recognised centre for business aviation and engineering. Bookings for this unique experience can be made online or by calling HQ on 01243 531147. Prices for the 30-minute flight start at £3,400.
