Richard Grace 1984-2024

I read the sad news about the death of Richard Grace yesterday. A fine pilot and knowledgeable engineer, I had only recently viewed video of him visiting Kermit Weeks in Florida to discuss the Tempest V and returning it to flight.

Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Hurricane Wednesday

The two seat Hurricane BE505 left with a lucky passenger while I was on my lunch break...

 

"Duxford In A Different Light"

I worked the "Duxford In A Different Light" photo event this evening. Had the opportunity to take some photos - aircraft on display were Spitfire Mk1 N3200, Spitfire Mk XIV MV293, Airco DH9 EE8894, Spitfire Mk IX RW382, Hurricane Mk1 P2902 and CA-18 Mustang 21 "Jersey Jerk" was detailed for the engine run slot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday trog...

Some movements on the airfield today plus T9 PT462 and Buchon Yellow 10 were doing some pre-Flying Day display practice. Finally snapped Jersey Jerk without out any covers...

 

 

  

Wednesday wander

 Back after a three week break and the some of the residents are out in the open...

Bit of a dull day...

Quick saunter after lunch today - Aero Legends "sisters" NH341 "Elizabeth" and MJ444 "Lady Luck" taking the air with PV202 and PT462 looking on. The Lockheed Electra G-AFTL was seen by myself for the first time 'turning and burning' and Lysander V9312 LX•E was out for an engine run...

 

Spitfire T9 MH367 UK bound...

Ultimate Warbird Flights have announced that they will be operating Spitfire T9 MH367 from Sywell alongside Spitfire T9 ML407. With the ceasing of operations by Warbird Adventure Rides in New Zealand, their fleet of aircraft have been sold, with MH367 returning to the UK.

All but one of the surviving Irish Air Corps T9 Spitfires are resident and operating in the UK.
MJ772/159 is resident in the Netherlands and is being operated by the "Spitfires Flying Vintage Everyday" foundation.

Airworthy

1. MT818 No Codes normally but wearing YO-D - operated by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar 

2. MH367* FL⦿A- to Ultimate Warbird Flights at Sywell

3. MJ627 9G⦿Q 🇮🇪 158 - operated by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar

4. MJ772 GW⦿A 🇮🇪159 - operated by SFVE foundation (NL)

5. ML407 OU⦿V 🇮🇪 162 - operated by Ultimate Warbird Flights

6. NH341 DB⦿E - operated by Aero Legends 

7. PT462 SW⦿A - operated by Aerial Collective

8. PV202  JW⦿ 🇮🇪 161 - operated by Aerial Collective

9. SM520 LO⦿G - operated by Spitfires.com

10. TE308 ZP⦿W 🇮🇪 163 - operated by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar

11. ML295 DB⦿M - Airworthy at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar

12. BS410 PK⦿A - Owned by Martin Philips/operated by Spitfires.com

13. EN570 FY⦿J - (G/M) Operated by Norwegian Flying Aces

14. MJ444 KH⦿D - Operated by Aero Legends

(🇮🇪 Former Irish Air Corps aircraft)

(*rear cockpit section from T9 ML417/HS543🇮🇳 used in rebuild.)

Under Restoration

15. No14  ??⦿? - Being restored Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar

16. BS548 ??⦿? - (G/M) Being restored by Airframe Assemblies Ltd for Ross Pay

17. TE566  ??⦿? -Being restored by Airframe Assemblies Ltd for Enstone

18. MJ518 ??⦿? - Indian Air Force heritage flight
(G/M) = Grace/Melton type canopy

Mustang Friday

First, CA-18 Mustang 21 "Jersey Jerk" does a couple of low passes over the house, then just over an hour later P-51D Mustang "Marinell" passes overhead....
Yet to catch "JJ" flying at Duxford so will make do with this appearance.

A-26B/C Invader "MillionAiress"

Managed to catch the A-26B/C* Invader this afternoon...
Departs in the next few days back to the US after visiting Fairford and Mildenhall.
Catalina was doing some training, PV202 returned from a SSAC flight and the Electra Junior was catching some rays......

*Apparently it is an A-26B but fitted with a A-26C glass nose...