Posted on 07/14/2016 1:49:40 PM PDT by naturalman1975
A terminally ill former World War Two Spitfire engineer's 'last wish' to be reunited with the iconic plane was granted after top brass saw him looking forlornly through a fence at one from his wheelchair.
Ken Farlow, 95, was an electrical engineer during the war, carrying out vital work to keep Spitfires and Hurricanes in the air in Syria and Palestine.
But after being diagnosed with terminal colon cancer, the father-of-three asked daughter Helen if he 'could see a Spitfire - one last time'.
Helen, 52, took him to Gloucestershire Airport where the vintage planes were being maintained by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crew.
She posted a poignant photo of the RAF veteran on Facebook as Mr Farlow sat in his wheelchair gazing through the fence at the striking aircraft on the runway.
The heartwarming image was spotted by the airport director of operations - who was so moved he invited him for a VIP visit.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The airframes designed at that time were well thought out. Every one of them could always use more power to unleash yet, more performance.
In the 60s IIRC, Piper Aircraft married a turbo prop engine to the P51 airframe. Performance was astounding. But their intended market (US military) wanted nothing to do with it.
Today there are a hand full of aircraft sold that essentially use this idea, buyers are smaller countries, not the US.
Yes Yes Yes. To see a Spit at full throttle roaring a few feet above the ground and then pull up into a chandel and the roar of the Merlin is a beautiful site.
Why be a prig? Nobody was trying to trick you....
I saw a video of a P-40 flying right over the camera. The sound of the Allison engine was incredible.
My allergies must be acting up. Something in my eye...
“I got to hear one of my favorite sounds in the whole world, a supercharged Merlin Rolls Royce V-12 engine spooling up.”
Ever heard one as it passes right over your head at full speed?
If you haven’t, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Yep, they put a Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engine on a modified P-51 airframe. The result was something with a top speed of nearly 500 mph, well with the capability of the P-51’s airframe design given the post-World War II P-51H was capable of 487 mph top speed.
A degreed design engineer?
What’s with the sensitivity to titles, 2nd banana? Are you a Brit?
Usually “engineer” - but commonly prefaced with the specialty, such as “civil engineer” or “electrical engineer”.
However a US “train engineer” is a “train driver” in the UK...:^)
Ever heard one as it passes right over your head at full speed?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
No brother, I have not had the honor, but perhaps one day!
That image hangs on my cave wall just above “Endless Sky” by Keith Woodcock. Check his web site if you enjoy aircraft and classic car artwork.
“I have not had the honor, but perhaps one day!”
Get ye to an air show where they’re running some old warbirds. Hopefully, they’ll give the crowd a thrill.
Obligatory Spitfire low level pass for a Spitfire thread:-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpq4Tu2NnrQ
Warning somewhat NSFW language at about :20 seconf mark!!!
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
My father told a funny story about an incident while in Air Force training during the Korean war.
They were on a hike out in the middle of nowhere San Antonio when two P-51’s lined up to strafe them.
Even though they knew they were ours when the aircraft dropped on the deck only feet off the ground they all hit the ditch by the road.
The entire FDR administration was riddled with Soviet spies and sympathizers. Read Whitaker Chambers’ Witness or any number of subsequent historical accounts based on the Venona tapes.
Very cool!
I have a nice framed copy, too. Right now it’s waiting for a nice house to hang in.
All of us alive today owe much to the quiet, daily, individual heroics of people such as Mr. Farlow.
Great story!
And a "sanitation engineer" is a "garbage man"
Or an ambulance chasing lawyer trying to make an advertisement on the cheap.
(you know that is from “Better Call Saul”, right?) :-)
That pic was a joke. That’s why I chose it.
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