Spitfire MkIX 2-Seater Down Yesterday

Hadn't seen this listed elsewhere on the forum. A MkIX Spit (2-seater), MJ627, went down yesterday after its engine failed. Thankfully, the pilot and passenger were both unscathed. Looks like the pilot made a really good fist of the landing based on the very limited damage visible.


View: https://x.com/Kent_999s/status/1918764159358890423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1918764159358890423%7Ctwgr%5Eb033b76cf9dd4560a557bddfada17c022a36bd45%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britmodeller.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fkent_999s%2Fstatus%2F1918764159358890423%3Fs%3D4626t%3D-SU4jLuTj5YqpBQ8Y455zA

That looks like a good wheels-up forced landing!
An interesting engine fact for the RR Merlin is that during WW2, if 33% of engines were achieving the design life before being removed due to problems or failures, then it was time to consider a life extension.

Eng

Good to see the occupants were okay, and apparently the aircraft can be repaired, so a good result from a difficult situation! Have flown a Spitfire with Fly-a-Spitfire and can highly recommend it! An incredible experience that over three years later probably still hasn't sunk in. I think this is the Spitfire that formatted with us as we flew up the coast to Dover - I can still see it peeling off inland as we continued on past the two remaining CHL towers, then back for a victory roll over the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne. I had two periods flying the aircraft, what a machine! I can understand why pilots said it seemed to know what you wanted to do before you did it, because it was so responsive. My pilot was Smithy, no longer with the team at Biggin Hill apparently, but I am deeply indebted to him for an amazing experience. I hope the team can get the Spitfire repaired soon.