Can Never Have Enough Spitfires

[Charl]

... and here is Flight Replicas Spitfire Mk.XVI
Nicely done, and I think completes the Spit complement for MS20



While I was tinkering with the Warbirds, went to Old Warden which is a favourite I'd like to visit IRL when time permits.
Took this shot there, especially for Honourable Member Deeknow because flightsim has something for everyone.

[Adamski]

#1 is a fabulous shot - and Polish too!

Looks like it might fit into a banner ...

[Charl]

Thank you Adam, your pupils must be approaching 1200x380 aspect with a high degree of accuracy by now

[Adamski]

Thank you Adam, your pupils must be approaching 1200x380 aspect with a high degree of accuracy by now

Hmmm ... looks like that FR model is missing from my [extensive] Spitfire collection. Might have to smash that piggy bank!

[Splitpin]

Charl, superb work Sir.... I've always considered the XVI the best looking Spitfire .

[cowpatz]

While I was tinkering with the Warbirds, went to Old Warden which is a favourite I'd like to visit IRL when time permits.

Ive never been to Old Warden, but many years ago on a London layover, I was fortunate enough to attend the Biggin Hill airshow. The day didn't start well. Clear blue skies but hellishly hot. We caught the train to a nearby station and then hopped on a free double decker bus shuttle to the airfield. Surprisingly the rear seat was available even though the bus was full, so we grabbed it. Due to the narrow roads the bus just had to crawl along with the rest of the traffic. It didn't take long to realise why the back seat was empty.......it's right above the engine. I have a fairly tolerant thermal operating range, but this was next level. The poms don't do air-conditioning on public transport.....just heating. Matters were made worse as we crawled past many pubs and observed folk out enjoying themselves in the garden bars.
With a mile to go we parted company with the bus and sought thermal remedy at the first bar we came to. When we eventually got to Biggin Hill we managed to commandeer a couple of seats outside a caravan cafe in center field. A perfect setting to watch the Breitling Fighter group perform, with NZ pilot (and Air NZ Captain) Keith Skilling flying the Corsair. Another Captain, in England on holiday, arrived and sat with us. After the performance Keith came and joined us. He remarked that the Corsair was a real handful, especially when in a trailing group position (Such as at the rear of a diamond formation). Such incredible power and momentum made speed control/engine handling challenging in avoiding running into the forward grouping.
Biggin Hill airfield is built on peat lands and when walking you would sink into the spongy ground. I would guess that the airfield manoeuvring areas would have some sort of engineered and firmer base, otherwise taxiing heavy aircraft would be challenging, if not impossible. Apart from the bus ride it was a fantastic and most memorable day.

[Adamski]

After the performance Keith came and joined us.

A few of the solos at the Ardmore displays tended to err on the side of safety - but Keith's performances were always thrilling (he probably has a really high airshow certification/rating).
For me, his most memorable display was on a disgustingly wet and windy day - where we didn't think *anything* would be flying - let alone a Spitfire with its narrow undercarriage. Keith took off and did a low-level version of his usual routine. It was absolutely breathtaking! Some people are just so *talented*!

Anyway ... needless tyo say - token resistance on my part: I grabbed the Marketplace FR Spitfire that was somehow missing from my collection:





Still so beautiful - even with those 'orrible clipped wings ...

[K5054NZ]

I'm so, so very curious to see comparitive reviews of this and the FlyingIron version now they're coming out with a XVI.

[Splitpin]

Charl, I got this today....not bad for $18.00 .....but no pilot visible (MFSF 2020) any ideas ?

[Adamski]

Charl, I got this today....not bad for $18.00 .....but no pilot visible (MFSF 2020) any ideas ?

Click on the area just below the gunsight.

The other "hard to find" clickspot is to stow the chocks. It's around the nav radio top left of the cockpit.

[Splitpin]

Adam

[Charl]

Beat me to it



There's a strong case for an EFB in ALL simplanes, eh?

[Charl]

FI has Authentic ground handling optionally available - I do like the thing to groundloop if booted

The Mk XVI highback is surely the definitive Spitfire - no clipped wings of course

[Charl]

NZ pilot (and Air NZ Captain) Keith Skilling flying the Corsair.

For me, his most memorable display was on a disgustingly wet and windy day - where we didn't think *anything* would be flying - let alone a Spitfire with its narrow undercarriage. Keith took off and did a low-level version of his usual routine. It was absolutely breathtaking! Some people are just so *talented*!

The name popped up many years ago for me, at Wanaka, in the fabulous Breitling display, and many times after.
But a moment of understanding for me was at Tauranga, the Corsair parked head on a stone's throw from the spectator fence.
Skilling ambled out and as part of the preflight walkaround ended up hand turning that huge prop to move the oil about.
Nine blades, I counted.
He looked over and saw me gawping, gave a wry smile and climbed aboard.
He then gave the most astonishing performance, wringing an assault of sound and motion out of that mighty old machine.

Adam, you are right: some people are in a league of their own, so confident and so committed to the mission at hand, and so comfortable in their abilities.