Posted on 03/04/2016 7:58:41 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Thinkstock
Eighty years ago the first Spitfire prototype flew from Eastleigh aerodrome in Hampshire. One man reveals the impact piloting this aircraft had on his life.
It was always an exclusive club, and now there are only a handful of people left who can claim membership.
To fly a Spitfire, especially in combat, is as close to holding a place in mythology as modern times allow.
But Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum DFC, still passionate and engaging at 94, cautions against hyperbole.
"I didn't think of myself as glamorous but certainly I was aware it was a privilege," he says. "Everybody wanted to fly Spitfires and so few, even in the RAF, got to do so."
Geoffrey Wellum in 2016 and in his early days in the RAF - fresh out of school
Born and schooled in Essex, as a teenager Geoffrey Wellum wandered into this club with an ease and speed which almost defies belief.
"I just wanted to fly. I wrote to the Air Ministry to say so and they let me."
Straight from school he took to the air in old biplanes and clumsy training aircraft but in 1940, with World War II already under way, he was posted to 92 Squadron, which had just been converted to fly Spitfires.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
German Ace Adolph Galland was asked by Goering what he most needed. He replied, “A Squadron of Spitfires”.
He later admitted that he said it just to irritate Goering. He actually thought the Messerschmidt ME-109 was every bit as good and maybe even better.
Brave men who saved England.
“Never have so many owed so much to so few” to quote or maybe paraphrase Churchill.
As a man who rode British motorcycles from the late fifties until the mid 2010s, I have to add they were even braver than most know. The Rolls Royce engines used in the Spitfires also had Lucas Electrics.
Great story and thank you.
I’ve always found it interesting the top American aces did not fly the P-51 but the P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-38 Lightening
Heh, heh, in fifty years of loving British sports cars I’ve yet to ever hear a kind word for Lucas automotive electricals.
Anyway, bloody marvelous that this brave RAF pilot is still with us!
For some reason it never got a US “P” designation.
Bob Hoover was shot down in a Spitfire.
Low flying Spitfire Video, Audio after about :23 is NSFW:-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpq4Tu2NnrQ
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
It also had the coolest name...Supermarine Spitfire.
Men like Galland and von Manstein were bold and daring in what they were able to say directly to Goering and Hitler. Once Manstein was not direct in what he had to say about Goering as he had arrived at a meeting wearing one of his more outlandish outfits. Manstein said that he whispered to his neighbor “I suppose the fat one is here as a strong arm man.”
Buying a P51 is on my bucket list.
92 Squadron was the top scoring fighter squadron in the whole RAF in the war. 317
The P51 was a superior airframe and firepower to the Spit with longer range with it’s drop tanks. It could escort bombers to Germany and back. However it performance was quite anemic compared to the Spit because of the engine. When, the Supermarine Engine was installed in the P-51 it was the most outstanding fighter in air to air combat.
The American P-51 airframe was magic and the British Supermarine Engine was magic plus. However, the Spit will always be the most beautiful piston engine aircraft to every take to the air.
Well, here's one set of kind words - the Lotus factory mods on my Elite coupe were a step above the other Lucas equipped British cards I owned, including two different Triumphs. I also drove a MG Midget owned by my brother and a TR-6; you are right, Lucas were second rate!
IIRC, there’s a damn nice condition one on the bottom of a lake on a volcano up in Alaska...
Ah, here’s a reference: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/my-best-finds/35916-i-found-p51-mustang.html
I recall having seen a photo at one time, taken from the air...
There’s a recent youtube clip of sixteen spitfire’s flying in formation at an airshow. It’s worth watching even if your’re blind for the sound of the engines. Cant post the link from this tiny phone but it should be easily searchable.
There is nothing like the sound of a Rolls Royce Merlin.
Prolly had a load of personal firearms on board when it went down.
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