It's the Grand Old Lady's Birthday.

[Airframes]

80th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Spitfire.

Eighty years ago today, with Mutt Summers at the controls, K5054, the first Spitfire, took to the air on it's first flight.
Eighty years later, the Spitfire, in numerous Marques, still flies at airshows around the world. delighting the crowds with its sight .. and sound.
Here's a couple of relatively recent pics of that marvelous lady - feel free to post some more.

 

[fubar57]

Outstanding Terry. I've said it before and I know it's not done, but there still should be a fight to get Mitchell knighted posthumously.


Geo

 

[Airframes]

I agree Geo, and I don't think any serious attempt has been made. Perhaps a petition is needed .............

 

[fubar57]

Just read this old article and if a billionaire can't use his clout for him, I don't think we have a chance.
Why have we never honoured man who invented the Spitfire?

Geo

 

[tomo pauk]

Thanks, Terry

 

[Timppa]

Outstanding Terry. I've said it before and I know it's not done, but there still should be a fight to get Mitchell knighted posthumously.


Geo

Then Joe Smith deserves it also. After all, he was the chief designer to make the prototype to a viable production airplane.
And also oversaw all the further development from the Mk1 to the Seafire 47

 

[Airframes]

Agreed.

 

[mikewint]

Very cool Terry. It is good to see that a sense of history has taken hold and it wasn't just scrapped

 

[Airframes]

It sure is Mike. There are more Spitfires flying today, than there were 20 years ago, and the numbers keep growing.

 

[airminded88]

Terrific lady indeed.

 

[bobbysocks]

It sure is Mike. There are more Spitfires flying today, than there were 20 years ago, and the numbers keep growing.

and just wait until they find all those ones buried in Burma!!! lol

 

[mikewint]

The thing that impressed me is that this is not just any old Spit but this is #1 and it was preserved and restored to flying condition.

 

[Gnomey]

Great to see! She even still looks as pretty as she did 80 years ago and you can't say that about many old girls

 

[bobbysocks]

The thing that impressed me is that this is not just any old Spit but this is #1 and it was preserved and restored to flying condition.

indeed. a lot of the "first off off the line" ac usually ended up a fatality during tests...

 

[Aozora]

This is such a great photo of Brendan Deer's 'AL'...what more can be said?

 

[mikewint]

Terry will have to weigh in on this one Bobby. I'd call those initial ACs prototypes. I'd assumed that Terry meant that his Spit was the initial "Production" model not a prototype

 

[Airframes]

The Spitfire referred to, serial number K5054, was the very first prototype, and survived long enough to be brought up to Mk1a standard.

That really is a great shot Aozora. Relative of Al Deere ?

 

[mikewint]

Thanks Terry, now THAT is impressive. Initial prototypes generally? don't survive. Excellent engineering

 

[nuuumannn]

That really is a great shot Aozora. Relative of Al Deere ?

Yep, Terry, PV270 was restored here in NZ by Brendon and Joe Deere (Joe did his airframe structures course with Air New Zealand at the same time as I did). PV270 is an ex Israeli and Burmese aircraft; it's in the personal markings of Al's Spit IX. Al was Brendon's uncle.

Issue 3 - Supermarine Spitfire: Kiwi tribute - Aviation Classics Magazine

I also don't know if Aozora can actually take credit for that splendid shot, unless he is who I think he is, but I suspect he's not.

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Grant, I thought there must be a family connection.