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A balbo of Spits and Hurricanes

Loved it!! Thanks Tom. :encouragement:
 
Twenty-five years ago in Scottsdale, AZ several Spitfires and Hurricanes were a part of the Scottsdale Airport "open house." It was neat seeing the planes and listening to the pilots talking about the Battle of Britain and the blitz. The men landed the craft then talked to the crowd. I was amazed that they talked as if when they landed that day, they had just completed a sortie against the Germans. I thinking that getting shot at would keep memories alive.

When the Spitfires were parked we moved our Spitfires near the craft to duplicate the Car & Driver cover. We had the understanding we had permission to do so. Apparently the owners and pilots were left out of the loop. We pushed the cars and stood between the car and the plane, and worked to keep a safe distance from the plane. One pilot was quite irate - not that I blame him - and was rather unkind and and foul-mouthed. That was Saturday. On Sunday he returned, apologized for attitude and language and offered rides in the Spitfire to make up for his inappropriate behavior. Sadly I didn't arrive until later - after the plane was on the was home.
 
Even though they're strictly war machines, there's just something elegant about them that hasn't been equaled in modern aircraft. The F-5/T-38 comes about as close as anything. F-35's and F-22's are unmistakably warbirds and there's no mistaking their purpose. Elegance isn't in their paradigm. Amazing capabilities, yes. But beauty? Not so much.
 
Beauty in design. Beauty in flight. Beauty in purpose.

Spits.jpg
 
Even though they're strictly war machines, there's just something elegant about them that hasn't been equaled in modern aircraft. The F-5/T-38 comes about as close as anything. F-35's and F-22's are unmistakably warbirds and there's no mistaking their purpose. Elegance isn't in their paradigm. Amazing capabilities, yes. But beauty? Not so much.
Did aerobatics in a T34 at Peter O’Knight when I was in college.
Wish I knew ~BEFORE~ we took off that the flight included aerobatic maneuvers 🤮
 
I've always liked the F86 Sabre for it's clean lines and "purity" (if there is such a thing? :smile: )
 
Amazing to think that some of those aircraft are older than our LBCs.

How many Spitfires and Hurricanes remain in flying condition?

While flying gliders in England I flew from an airfield that had a resident Spitfire. I had never been that close to one before and was surprised by the size of the prop and the nose up attitude as it taxied.

David
 
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