FlyPast 12.2018

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This was going to be no ordinary day out of the offi ce. I was privileged to take the
controls of Aero Legends’ Spitfi re T.9, piloted on this occasion by ‘Parky’ Parkinson.
Like many warbird fans I had dreamed of fl ying in a two-seat Spit’ for years but my
encounter with this iconic fi ghter defi ed all expectations. For convenience, our air-to-air
photographic sortie was fl own from Duxford, in formation with Charlie Brown, in Keith’s
single-seat Spitfi re Mk.IX.
A twin-stick Spitfi re fl ight should be on every keen aviation enthusiast’s bucket list, as it
offers ‘Joe Public’ the chance to experience manoeuvres akin to those employed by fi ghter
pilots in World War Two... but of course the aerobatics are not compulsory. The fl ight’s not
inexpensive, and it shouldn’t be... it’s in a Spitfi re!
It was also a bonus knowing Parky was at the controls, carrying with him huge experience in
warbirds and jet fi ghters such as the Phantom, F-16, Hawk and Typhoon. Safe hands indeed.
After the briefi ng and strapping in, all the nuances of the airframe suddenly took on stark
focus; the fl ap-down indicators, rivets, pilot’s mirror, the curve of the propeller blades,
and the lack of gun barrels, this being a trainer. Having fl own in a Harvard at Duxford for
September’s issue, I had an inkling of what the take-off might be like... but it felt far faster
than I anticipated – 100mph at wheels up! Once our photographer had got his shots, Parky
and Charlie peeled away from the Dornier camera aircraft for a tail-chase. And it was the
most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had. In clear blue skies, I was afforded a similar view
to that seen by hundreds of fi ghter pilots in World War Two. An aircraft ahead, frantically
weaving, trying to shake off its attacker – in this case, us. Elizabeth is fi tted with a ‘gun’
camera, so passengers can record the proceedings, and in case you’re wondering, yes, with
child-like glee I unashamedly exclaimed ‘dagga-dagga-dagga’ when pressing the fi ring button... much to Parky’s amusement. I was whooping
with joy, ignorant of the instruments, as the aircraft rolled and climbed giving a panoramic view of a stunning day over the Cambridgeshire
countryside from my rear seat position. It was also a fi rst for this desk jockey to experience the g-force that comes with such visceral aerial
manoeuvres in high-powered warbirds. It provided just a hint of the World War Two pilot’s domain. Then it was time to take control myself,
with some gingerly executed turns left and right, to get a feel for this enchanting machine.
After a high-speed pass and break over Duxford’s runway, Parky’s landing was super-smooth, and once we’d stopped and my canopy was
wound back, the realisation of what just happened hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d fl own Britain’s most legendary fi ghter and it was (and will
always be) the fl ight of my life.
Chris Clifford

A DATE WITH ELIZABETH


’FlyPast’ editor Chris Clifford with the inevitable
‘Spitfi re smile’ in the cockpit of Aero Legends’ T.9.

OPERATORS AERO LEGENDS


52 FLYPAST December 2018


Below
In your face: ‘FlyPast’
photographer Darren
Harbar fi lls his lens with
Aero Legends Spitfi res.
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