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View Full Version : Battle of Britain the true story: First Flight - A Spitfire pilot remembers...


battleofbritaintv
06-27-2010, 05:15 AM
The next time you set off on a flight, remember The Few, the young men for whom 70 years ago this was no game...

Follow John's story day by day as he prepares to head Into the Storm of War

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First Flight

How did Francis Drake's crew feel when they first realised they were part of a team that could never lose against the Armada?
... This is how I feel today. 26th Jun 1940.

The day I first flew a Spitfire

After just 1 flight as 1st Pilot of a Harvard, my conversion was complete. Led by two airmen to awaiting Spitfire

... Remembered key tips 'Bad visibility on ground, move nose left, right to see where going - take off quickly, don't overheat-

-Parachute, goggles and Mae-West on , Two airmen help me into Spitfire cockpit. Door and hood slam shut, I'm on my own.

... Fuel, Oxygen, and controls checks. OK. Snug and enclosed in tight cockpit, the Spitfire an extension of my clothing, my armour..

...Ignition Button and Merlin Roars back to the touch. Whole body shudders from feet to scalp.....

... Flames Spit from exhaust.. Black cloud cloaks cockpit then lifts .. The roar turns to a growl... The growl to a purr. She's ready

..We're away - taxi across field, careful on brakes, throttle slowly open. The Growl returns, Spitfire ordering to get her in the air

...Acceleration beyond imaginable speed... Stick slowly back, and we're up, and we're Skyward

Airfield disappears at speed, as I change hands to tuck the undercarriage wheels. Long nose of the Spitfire leads the way

Northumbrian fields, villages and steeples below as Spitfire responds to my slightest touch,she anticipating every move, past 300 mph

.. Spitfire takes me in to land, I take control back, throttle off undercarriage down, light on brakes, steady, and back in the field

26 Jun 1940 SPITFIRE K.9958 Solo, 1 hour 35 minutes.

The day I first flew a Spitfire. JSG

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