Author Topic: Is it a bird, is it a plane?  (Read 6911 times)

Offline RayW

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Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« on: August 20, 2017, 07:10:00 PM »
With loads of air and military shows going on this weekend in the surrounding area, the skies have been pretty interesting. Yesterday, the B17 Flying Fortress "Sally B" went over but I didn't have the camera handy, so I was more prepared today, with Spitfire, Catalina flying boat, and an unidentified American WWII fighter, which I am sure one of our members will identify. Apologies for the rather poor quality pic of the Spitfire, but light was not good and it was moving away rather fast.

As a point of interest, Spitfire rides are available from Biggin Hill airfied in Kent, so if you have the odd £2250 to spare, you know where to go. We see the two seater Spitfire go over pretty much every day in the Summer, and every time we hear that distinctive engine note, we still can't help rushing out to see it.

Ray
Ray

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2017, 07:27:20 PM »
Those are great Ray!!! I would be outside watching all weekend too!!

Bill

Offline Nick_G

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2017, 07:54:27 PM »
.
Hi,

I 'think' this is a Harvard. If so they were used as a training stepping stone before a full blown fighter.



Nick

Offline Jo

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2017, 08:09:55 PM »
Looks like ANG 493209 which is based at Biggin Hill.

Jo
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2017, 08:11:51 PM »
Try this:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuqwQabMixk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuqwQabMixk</a>

The racket starts @ 04:02

Might I suggest headphones pressed to ears, full bass and as much volume as you can stand.

This clip reminds me of my ( mercifully ) one and only casual flight in a AVRO Shackleton f( and I thought it might be nice   :insane:  )

The 4 Griffons are even noisier ...

Dave

« Last Edit: August 20, 2017, 08:26:16 PM by Bluechip »

Offline RayW

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2017, 08:24:09 PM »
Thanks all. Quite right Jo, it is 493209. Does that mean it is a Harvard as Nick suggests?
Great video Dave, and what an incredible noise those engines make.
Ray

Offline Nick_G

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2017, 08:36:01 PM »
.
Harvard or Texan depending on which part of the world you are from.

Nick

Offline Jo

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2017, 08:51:42 PM »
Thanks all. Quite right Jo, it is 493209. Does that mean it is a Harvard as Nick suggests?

Yes, Here she is: http://www.t6harvard.com/G-DDMV_history.html

Technical Details: http://www.t6harvard.com/T6_harvard_technical.html

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline gerritv

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2017, 08:56:21 PM »
We have the Lancaster fly over multiple times a week on its way from Hamilton over Niagara Falls and back. A very definitive sound that my parents heard very often, having survived WWII in Amsterdam.

Flights in B17's are available in various places in NA, I took a flight in 2015: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BRFyBEFnv4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BRFyBEFnv4</a>

Gerrit
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Offline RayW

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2017, 10:08:20 PM »
Hi Gerrit. I was lucky enough to see your Lancaster several times when it visited the UK and toured with the British one from the Battle of Britain Flight. Truly a magnificent, and probably not to be repeated, sight.
Ray

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2017, 11:28:12 PM »
You can get a ride on a Spitfire? And a B-17?

That's going to have to go on my bucket list along with parachuting.

Unfortunately...that portion of the bucket list is also described as "T will never let me"  :'(
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline jadge

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2017, 12:23:38 AM »
I live quite close to Duxford, so see a lot of WWII aircraft. I saw the B17 a couple of weeks ago; it was an overcast day, so it went over the bungalow at about 600ft, marvellous. I saw it last year too, as it flew underneath me when I was circling in the glider between Kimbolton and Thurleigh airfields, both of which operated B17s in WWII.

The sound of the Harvard is primarily propeller noise. The tips can go transonic, producing the distinctive rasping noise.

On my bucket list is a course emulating RAF WWII training at Duxford, so a couple of flights in a Tiger Moth, followed by the Harvard, followed by two flights in a Spitfire. I learnt to fly on Tiger Moths, so it would be fun to fly one again. It's going to cost an arm and a leg, but a pension advisor has recently said that as I get older I need to grasp the concept of deaccumulation, ie, start spending money rather than saving it. Flying a Spitfire seems like a good way to start. I'd like to fly a Mustang too.

Parachuting no way though. I wear a parachute in the glider but I'd only use it if the glider disintegrated around me.

Andrew

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2017, 12:37:02 AM »
It's going to cost an arm and a leg, but a pension advisor has recently said that as I get older I need to grasp the concept of deaccumulation, ie, start spending money rather than saving it.

I think of that a lot too. The problem I have is predicting that end point.  ;D
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline gerritv

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2017, 02:40:20 AM »
It's going to cost an arm and a leg, but a pension advisor has recently said that as I get older I need to grasp the concept of deaccumulation, ie, start spending money rather than saving it.

I think of that a lot too. The problem I have is predicting that end point.  ;D

If you wait too long, then it will be too late. Live each day like it is your last. After 60-65 that is the way to do it, we've earned it :-)
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/flight-experiences/aluminum-overcast-eaa-b-17-bomber-tour/b-17-aluminum-overcast-tour-stops

The Lancaster is very pricey, and not too many seats on board (CAD3500). I have to pass on that one unfortunately. Lots of other choices though, you should visit sometime: http://www.warplane.com/aircraft/flights/buy.aspx. While here you can try some of the 60 or so wineries in the area and distilleries along with excellent food.


Gerrit
Don't confuse activity with progress

Offline crueby

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Re: Is it a bird, is it a plane?
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2017, 03:08:46 AM »
It's going to cost an arm and a leg, but a pension advisor has recently said that as I get older I need to grasp the concept of deaccumulation, ie, start spending money rather than saving it.

I think of that a lot too. The problem I have is predicting that end point.  ;D

If you wait too long, then it will be too late. Live each day like it is your last. After 60-65 that is the way to do it, we've earned it :-)
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/flight-experiences/aluminum-overcast-eaa-b-17-bomber-tour/b-17-aluminum-overcast-tour-stops

The Lancaster is very pricey, and not too many seats on board (CAD3500). I have to pass on that one unfortunately. Lots of other choices though, you should visit sometime: http://www.warplane.com/aircraft/flights/buy.aspx. While here you can try some of the 60 or so wineries in the area and distilleries along with excellent food.


Gerrit
The warplane museum in Hamilton is a wonderful one, well worth the visit. Also near there is the steam museum with a very large twin beam pumping engine, fascinating to see.

 

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